The World Premiere screening of No Bois Man No Fraid, a feature documentary directed by Trinidad and Tobago filmmaker, Christopher Laird, will kick off the Red Carpet Gala at the 8th annual CaribbeanTales Toronto Film Showcase.
The event opens the Festival’s main film showcase, which is co-produced with the Harbourfront Centre and will take place September 4 – 14. The gala begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4 where guests will enjoy a Caribbean reception, entertainment and the screening at 9 p.m. Co-hosted by the Consulate General of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto and Harbourfront Centre, the gala will be held along Toronto’s waterfront at the Harbourfront Centre Lakeside Terrace.
“We are exceptionally proud to open our Harbourfront Centre festival with this extraordinary film that provides an empowering window on the authentic culture of our region,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO and Festival Director of CaribbeanTales.
“CaribbeanTales is an important platform for Caribbean film, and has pioneered the international establishment of the Caribbean film brand. I am deeply honoured that my film was selected as this year’s Gala screening,” said Christopher Laird, director and producer of No Bois Man No Fraid.
No Bois Man No Fraid (Trinidad and Tobago, 2013, 86 mins.) tells the story of two internationally certified martial artists, who are introduced to a very different style of combat sport. Kalinda, a combination of stick-fighting, dance, and folk music, is commonly practiced during the Carnival season, and draws on traditions handed down from slavery. The film follows Keegan and Benji as they rediscover their roots by entering into the potentially lethal arena of the Gayelle.
“This is one of the most important films ever made in Trinidad.” said Tony Hall, preeminent playwright, actor and director. “Once you enter the gayelle you have to be courageous. Keegan and Rondell have dragged us all into the gayelle.”
Christopher Laird has produced and directed over 300 documentaries, dramas and other video productions. Richard Fung, award-winning Canadian/Trinidadian filmmaker and curator, calls him “one of the most important filmmakers working in the Anglophone Caribbean.” Laird is the Founder and Managing Director of Banyan Ltd., which has produced arguably the world’s largest collection of Caribbean culture on video over the past 30 years. In 2004, he co-founded Gayelle: The Channel, the region’s first all- Caribbean free-to-air television station.
Before the screening at Harbourfront Centre’s Studio Theatre, guests will enjoy delicious Caribbean culinary delights specially prepared by award-winning executive chef, Selwyn Richard of The Art of Catering. They will have the opportunity to mix and mingle with filmmakers, celebrities and other dignitaries, while enjoying live music and a sit-down interview with Christopher Laird.
For more information, purchase of tickets to the Gala and other events, go to caribbeantales-events.com
