October 27, 2025 • 50 mins
This week, we are talking di tings with multi-award-winning Jamaican filmmaker, J.P. Williams;a lover of Historical Drama who brings stories to life vividly on screen and credits his Aunt for introducing him to visual storytelling. His acclaimed short film The 1938 Unrest, which captures the labor uprising that helped shape modern Jamaica, has received international recognition, including Best Cinematography at the Open World Toronto Film Festival, Best Experimental Short at the Europe Film Festival (2021), and finalist status at the Australia Independent Film Festival. He was also honored with the Prime Minister’s Youth Award for Arts and Culture in 2022, solidifying his role as a filmmaker committed to truth, heritage, and storytelling with purpose.
This year JP was recognized at the 28th Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), where his short film “BLV” had its African premiere. During ZIFF, he was also honored with the 2025 ZIFF Chairman’s Award, a special jury award for outstanding film, and presented a speech titled “One Love- From Jamaica to Zanzibar.”
In this episode we explore his love of filmmaking, family, Jamaica, Shrek, historical drama, and more. We also discuss the importance of self-belief, parents not only supporting but gaining an understanding of their children’s dreams, his desire to strengthen the bond between Africa and Jamaica, the important and invaluable role his mother and grandmother have played in his life, and so much more! If you are a lover of cinema, history, Jamaican culture, and stories that resonate across generations, this episode is for you!
So grab your tea, coffee, or a glass of wine, and let's talk di tings!
If you enjoyed the episode, leave us a 5 star rating, share this episode, and follow Let’s Talk Di Tings on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to LTDT on:
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6akOR9kAnsbANiszBDcVOL?si=aa70627937124c3e
APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-di-tings/id1662696625
This year JP was recognized at the 28th Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), where his short film “BLV” had its African premiere. During ZIFF, he was also honored with the 2025 ZIFF Chairman’s Award, a special jury award for outstanding film, and presented a speech titled “One Love- From Jamaica to Zanzibar.”
In this episode we explore his love of filmmaking, family, Jamaica, Shrek, historical drama, and more. We also discuss the importance of self-belief, parents not only supporting but gaining an understanding of their children’s dreams, his desire to strengthen the bond between Africa and Jamaica, the important and invaluable role his mother and grandmother have played in his life, and so much more! If you are a lover of cinema, history, Jamaican culture, and stories that resonate across generations, this episode is for you!
So grab your tea, coffee, or a glass of wine, and let's talk di tings!
If you enjoyed the episode, leave us a 5 star rating, share this episode, and follow Let’s Talk Di Tings on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen to LTDT on:
SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/6akOR9kAnsbANiszBDcVOL?si=aa70627937124c3e
APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-di-tings/id1662696625
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
As I was preparing for this episode, I found myself
thinking about how stories really shape nations, how a film,
sometimes just a single frame, can hold the rhythm, the resonance,
and the resilience of a people. This week, we are
(00:23):
talking to Things with a filmmaker whose filmmaking embodies this beautifully,
Jp Williams. JP's uniqueness is his ability to capture Jamaica
not as a postcard, but as a living, breathing symphony, complex,
(00:44):
raw and beautiful. His lens feels like a mirror, not
just reflecting culture, but preserving it. He's given us characters
who remind us of our neighbors or elders, and and
sometimes ourselves. This conversation is not just about film. It's
(01:06):
about legacy, culture, self actualization, and how storytelling becomes memory.
How filmmakers like JP help us remember who we are
and remind us who we still might become if we
just believe. If you're listening to the podcast on Apple Podcast,
(01:32):
please remember to rate and leave a comment below. Also,
don't forget to follow us on Instagram at Let's Talk
the Things. Now, Grab your tea, coffee, or a glass
of wine and let's talk to Things. Hello everyone, Welcome
(01:53):
back to Let's Talk to Things, where we discuss personal growth, music,
film and wellness while encouraging you to live fearlessly and fabulously.
I'm your host, Ash and this week we are talking
the Things with one of the most visionary filmmakers shaping
modern Caribbean cinema, Jamaican film director, screenwriter, producer, and most
(02:19):
recently the recipient of the twenty twenty five Zanzibar International
Film Festival Chairman's Award, Justin Paul Williams. Hi, JP, how are.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
You, hush? How are you?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I'm good? Thanks for coming to Talk the Things with me?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, Mane, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It's a pleasure, of course, of course, of course. So
as a first time guest and for persons out there
listening for the first time, we begin each episode with
our listener's favorite segment, and it's called datna sound Safe.
It's nothing crazy more just a little bit of fun.
(03:02):
So I'm going to read messages or social media posts
that listener sent in and if you think it sounds
crazy or a little bit concerning, you would say that
sounds safe and explain why, and if you agree, you
say you agree and explain why sounds good?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Sure, sounds good?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
All right. The first person said, to all Caribbean elders,
your belly get big is not a greeting.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Hey, listen, I I'm so used to that one, and
I've just taken it as a compliment to say that
I'm eating well.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Good. So we're gonna let that one pass. We'll let
that one pass.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Okay. So you think it sounds safe.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Then it sounds right on par with all my grandma's
and antis and everybody, so right, get I want to.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Say, Okay, okay, we'll say that safe. Perhaps maybe we
can be a little softer in the greeting because maybe
it would affect some person's sport.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yes, yes, definitely, you're.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Right, we're so used to it.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Trauma, right, yeah, the trauma within the love you know.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. Okay. The next person said,
instead of questioning yourself when someone mistreats you, ignores you,
disrespects you, and demeans you, question them and think what
is wrong with them that they think treating you like
that is? Okay?
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, I agree with that statement.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah, I think I think oftentimes when people treat your negatively,
it's coming from a negative place within, possibly something that
they're not able or not.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Ready to deal with. Mhm.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
And and you know, we have to learn to be
to take things with a grain of salt, you know,
right right, don't take everything to heart. You know, some people,
some people are just dealing with a.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Lot of trauma, you know.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
And but you know, that's still no excuse for them
to to treat people like that, of course, And so
I think it's if if it's somebody that you love
and care for, I think it's important to take the
time to address it and confront them about it and say, hey,
you know, these things that you're saying to me are
(05:44):
hurtful or these things that you're doing are hurtful. And
this is why you know, communication it's important because sometimes
people don't know, you know, that's what they may be
doing is affecting us.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
You know, that's fair, that's fair. And I want to
touch on something you said because I think often we
think just communication can work, but I think comprehension is
also important because if you're communicating to somebody that hasn't
really met themselves or don't know themselves, then they could
(06:19):
even see it as an attack, even if you try
to have like a you know, just soft, mild mannered conversation,
if they don't realize that they have an issue, they
could see it in a certain way. So I think, yeah,
you're right, definitely try to communicate. But if maybe you
see it's not landing correctly, then you know that's not
about you, that's about them.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I think, right for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Okay, all right, I agree with you on that one.
All right. The next person said, every time I can
relate to this, every time I socialize, I'm like, okay,
that's enough for the next eleven days.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, these are so accurate.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Yeah, I'm somebody that my social battery gets burnt out quickly. Yes,
you know, I you know, as a as a creative,
as a filmmaker, there's so many things that go on
in my mind, you know, and oftentimes, if I'm not
surrounded by people who can see it similarly, I find myself,
(07:33):
you know, over extending myself. I'm trying to explain and
I'm trying to make it relatable.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And it's training.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
It's very draining, it's very draining. So when I'm with
my people, I'm locked in. We can we can talk
all night. But if that's not the case, then I'm
moutu Rather, you know, socialized for an hour and then
and I've learned.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I've learned how to.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Manage that and how to know when my limit has
has has been reached, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I'm the same way. I'm very introverted
and persons don't expect that because these are persons that
know me, and like you said, it's different if I'm
around person that I'm comfortable with, but you know, crowds
and those things. I'm definitely the friend that every now
and then people look around and like where did Ash go?
I'm on the highway already got because I just get
(08:31):
drained so easily. Like you said, the energy it takes
to try to, you know, explain certain things and it's
just too much. I can't bother.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Definitely a balanced though, you know, because we we're social creatures, right,
it is important for us to have community.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
They say solitude, you know, isn't the best, you know,
because it's it's bad counsel Solitude is con which means
it's good from time to time to bones ideas off
of somebody else and get their feedback, you know. So
I definitely think it's all a balance. Too much of
(09:15):
one thing isn't good.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
It's not good exactly exactly. But I think you bring
up a good point. It's who you're around, right, because
if you're around the wrong set of people, then that
could be stressful and have you unbalanced as well.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
So okay, all right, we're three for three. That's good. Okay,
two more. The next person said, anyone that profits off
of you being blind will never teach you or inspire
you to see.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yes, that sat all ash.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, so dangerous.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
That's the worst one.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
I mean, now, that's that's just not a good person,
you know, Yeah, that person.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Is It's not it's not given from their heart. You know.
I think I think we all have good and we
all have bad, but I think it's important to lead
with the good mm hmm. And so you know, to
(10:22):
live positively. You know.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It goes right back to what we spoke about community
just a while.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Ago, right, right.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
You want to pour into your community and have your
community to pour into you.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
You know, absolutely it's not just give and it's not
just take.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It's both absolutely on one hundred percent agree with that.
I think that like you said, it goes back to
what we said. Also, being around like minded people, they're
going to want the best for you, and so you know,
you're going to pour into each other and it will
be more balanced versus you having to pour and then
your copy is empty.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So no, that doesn't.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
And the final one, someone said, not all good vibes
are good. Some are networking strategies in disguise.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, yeah, true.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
I'm sure you can relate to that.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I definitely can relate having moved to LA for the
past three years.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Oh I didn't you even know that?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Yes, so when you mentioned being in LA, I was
saying I was gonna.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Say, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Whoa, yes, So sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your thought.
That just threw me off guard.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
So LA is a very transactional place. People want to
know how they can gain from you, what they can gain,
and if there isn't anything to gain, then you're not
important to them.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Mm hmm. And Jamaica is a lot different.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
You know, Jamaica is about the good vibes, the real
good vibes. Smile, you know, manners, positivity, These are foundation
you know, these are principle, you know, core values that
we have been that have.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Been instilling us.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And it definitely was a culture shock moving to l
A and seeing people in the supermarket and they wouldn't
say good morning. You know, I've seen people in the
elevator and they would just keep their heads look yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So yeah, you know that I went.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I definitely went through a phase where it was starting
to affect me and change how I was to people.
But that started to learn that it's important not to
say high Hi for a high Hi g H right
high you say hi to somebody because it's it's coming
(13:05):
from within, it's giving from your pool. We can't control
how people respond, but we can definitely control how we
treat people.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So let's start there.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
That is very insightful, very insightful. I love that high
and high. It's so true because I've talked about that.
So I've spoken about that so many times on this podcast,
like manners, because I've grown up with that being such
a core of who I am and that's expected of me.
I find that's been the hardest thing. And I've been
(13:37):
here since I was little. That's the hardest thing for
me to adjust to people walking in the room and
not speaking and and like you said, at first you're
thinking like, okay, well I guess I'll not do it too.
But then you realize that's not who you are, right,
so then you're allowing those persons to control you. And
that notes sound safe at all? Well? That was fun
(14:02):
and harmless, right, mostly safe. I would say, well, now
we'll just talk the real things. And so, JP, I
always like to start at the very beginning before in
your case, before the lights, before the lens, before all
of the accolades that you've received. When you think back
to your childhood in Jamaica, what's your first memory of
(14:26):
storytelling and what was that like first spark that you got?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (14:33):
So, when I was eight years old, I was introduced
to the camera by my auntie Gail. Okay, she lived
in New York, and she brought down her point and
shoot camera one year and threw it at me and said, listen,
you're learning how to take pictures this summer, okay, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And I fell in love with it.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
You know, we went everywhere we went, we brought the
camera and we snapped a whole lot of pictures. And
you know, I don't know if she saw something within
me or it was just her instinct, but She is
who I credit for introducing me to visual storytelling, and
(15:21):
ever since I've been in love, you know, I you know,
my parents gifted me a computer a few years later
that was equipped with an editing software and a webcam,
and I would take videos of myself and edit them
in the software, then post them to Facebook for my
friends and family to enjoy. And you know, at the
(15:44):
root of it, it was all about telling stories. It
was all about communicating a message. And you know, if
we fast forward to when I went to high school,
some of that got buried, you.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Know, Okay, and where did you go to high school?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
So I started at Wolma's and then I finished at
Hillel Academy.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Okay, nice and then.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
So it wasn't until the later years of Hellal that
I that I re established my love for storytelling through
visuals and started to help out the school with making
promotional material for the football matches and you know, videos
to play at assembly and so on. You know, But
(16:41):
at this point, I still didn't know there was such
thing as a filmmaker, you know, I didn't know anything
about the industry. Of course, I watched movies, but that
just felt like something that was on the screen.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I didn't know. I didn't ever think that somebody.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Yeah, I didn't ever think somebody actually wrote and directed
this and filmed it and did the costume of.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Design and the lighting and didn't have any clue.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Oh my gosh, whoa yeah, man, wow, Wow, that's so fascinating,
especially because so much of your work carries that sense
of rooted observation.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yes, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
So with that being said, was there a moment that
you realized after you now learned that that was possible
and what kind of goes into those movies that you
were watching. Was there a moment when you realize that
capturing that was your calling, like what you were doing
was something you could turn into a career.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Right, So that didn't the career conversation didn't come up
until twenty twenty. Actually, so this could have been after,
you know, after so I started university ad it five
months in Canada studying business. I didn't, you know. I
wasn't happy. So I called my parents said, listen, this
(18:05):
is not for me. You know, you guys are wasting
your money.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
You know, let me, let.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Me take control of where I think my life is going.
And so I came back home to Jamaica and did
video production because you know, I had developed you know,
through YouTube University. I had developed a skill set of
filming and editing and of course telling the story. I said,
(18:32):
all right, I'll do video production. So I started to
do corporate gigs for about three or four years here
in Jamaica until COVID hit.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And once COVID hit.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
I, you know, all of my jobs closed because we
couldn't be on set. So it gave me some free
time to reevaluate what I was doing with my time.
And I thought to myself, you know, this isn't This
isn't where my passion lives. You know, my persional lives
and telling meaningful stories that can uplift people, teach people,
(19:11):
celebrate our history, give hints at what the future.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
May look like.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
And what I was doing on the corporate side wasn't
doing that. It wasn't fulfilling me. No, That's when I
set out to shoot my first I still didn't know
it was called a film, but I was setting help
to tell a story, you know, about Jamaican guy who
lives in a garrison area and once a change, he
(19:42):
wants to find himself and he goes on.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
This journey across the island and we.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Went to about thirty different natural attractions in each parish
and captured them without any tourists, you know, not it
was empty because of COVID. And when I got back
from that week long trip, I saw how much footage
I captured and that was the first time it was
(20:11):
like a light bulb. The idea of a short film
came into my mind, you know, and ever since I've
been pursuing that dream.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
So that's what eventually led me to LA in twenty
twenty three to do a two year associates program at
the New York Film Academy where I started filmmaking, which
led me to do my thesis project called Believe. That
(20:44):
led me to Tanzania, where I received the Chairman's Award.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Oh nice, So can you tell us a little bit
about Believe?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Sure? So Believe.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
It's a very personal story, you know. It's a story
I think I divinely wrote for myself as a reminder
about self belief. Ultimately, it's a story about a young
Jamaican who wants to be a filmmaker and has to
present something at career day and his dad polls the
(21:20):
question you know, what are you going to present for
career day? And he eagerly responds filmmaking, and the dad says, no,
film is a waste of time.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
You know, film, film won't make you any money.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
However, he is encouraged to follow his dreams and believe
in himself through the analogy of the caterpillar turn into
a butterfly, which is told to him by his grandma.
And so at the end of the story we see
him pull through with presenting film through the through out
(22:00):
of puppet. He doesn't quite have a camera or anything,
but he builds a little shadow puppet theater and tells
a story through that. And at the end of it,
the dad says, you know, I'm starting to sell the
vision here, you know, and you know it's it's a
story about believing in yourself. It's a story about transformation.
(22:21):
And it's also, on a deeper level, a story about
generational gap. And they and they difficulty sometimes for the
older generation to understand the newer generation because they're living
in a completely different time.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Yeah, very true.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You know, my.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Parents have always been supported in one hundred and ten percent,
but they sometimes didn't understand what they were supporting. You know,
and I think it's important for the child to not
just get support, but also get understanding. And so there
(23:03):
comes a point where the two generations meet in the middle,
and just as the parent teaches the child, the child
starts to teach the parent, you know.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
I love that, Yeah, And I think that's such an
important story to tell, because not all of us are
blessed with parents that are willing to listen or are
willing to be taught, right, because in general, our culture
is very much do as I say, not as I do,
don't ask any questions, you know, things like that. And
(23:35):
I think that's so important that a parent, like you said,
would just really believe that they can learn from their child.
I think that's a really important message to send out,
especially within Caribbean culture, because typically, like you said, generationally,
it's like learn from your child. What No, I just
(23:56):
tell you what to do, and you're supposed to do it,
you know, So exactly, I think our generation and the
younger generations have done a really good job of kind
of teaching our parents that we don't have to be
disrespectful in doing it. But this this is our lives,
you know, and so we should have a say in
what it is that we want to do and what
(24:16):
will make us happy. And I really commend you for
calling your parents and telling them, you know, you're wasting
your money and to essentially to allow you to try
to pursue your dream, you know what I mean, some
kids would have either just had the money be wasted
and maybe fail out of school. And then everybody is
not going to like that because the parents are wasting money,
(24:39):
you're wasting your time. So I think that was very
honest of you to, you know, be honest with them
and then know look how much you've accomplished. So I
think that's really an amazing message.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
I mean, I've been reminded over and over you know,
money is one thing, but time is is you know,
you can't replace time. And when I was, you know,
sitting in those classrooms at university, felt like my time
most importantly was being wasted. And I got a second
(25:14):
reminder of that when COVID hit and I really valued.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
What I was doing with capturing. You see, when when.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
You click that shutter and capturing image, you're capturing that forever, right,
so whether you're capturing it for archival purpose or for
entertainment purpose, or for education purpose, it will live on forever,
and so you know, I find great responsibility in that.
(25:50):
And for me, I didn't feel satisfied with you know,
we're just capturing content that was paying the bills, but
wasn't going to pay forward to another generation or at
the bare minimum give me satisfaction, you know, because we're artists.
So as an artist, we need to satisfy ourselves first
(26:14):
and then we can think about the audience.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Right.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I love that. I love that. And one of the
things that stands out to me about your filmmaking, even
in what you're sharing with us today, is you show
Jamaica as it is, right, unfiltered but still kind of
really poetic. I would say, So, how do you strike
that balance between realism and beauty or between truth and storytelling?
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Well, to me, Jamaica in its nature is very poetic,
not very surreal, you know, so just you know, traveling
the country and going to all the different natural attractions,
I have been blown away by its beauty and everything
it has to offer. And so I truly feel that
(27:06):
Jamaica is a magical, you know, kind of fantasy place, right,
and we can see it in the art that's created
from this country.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
And the way people taught, the way people move.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
It's very rhythmic, so you know, it's it's more about
just tapping into already what's here on the soil, you know,
and representing it as purely as possible, and also finding
my own voice, finding my own signature style that can
add to the story, you know, but I think it's important.
(27:47):
So you know, my favorite genre it's called historical drama,
and historical means it takes from archives, it takes from
what actually happened or what is happening, and the drama
will be the poetic side.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
It's just how you're present it, you know.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
And so you know, I love to read. I love
to go to the library. I love to read all newspapers.
I love to look at pictures from back in the days,
because that's really.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
You know, it's so funny because a lot of times
people will think, because you're of a different generation, that
you don't like to do things like that, you know,
because we're supposed to be like not interested in back
then and kind of like interested in the new things.
But I'm the same way, Like I love looking at
old pictures and all newspapers, and what certain cities or
(28:44):
countries even used to look like prior to me being alive.
You know, I just find it so interesting. Yes, So
I'm sure that informs your filmmaking as.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Well, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
And it's truly a blessing because I don't have to
sit on and try to make something up.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
You know, I can pull from real life.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Love that and you're, like you mentioned with the film festival,
So your films have traveled far, you know, being screened
internationally and praised for their authenticity. For you, what has
been the most surprising response that you've received from a
global audience.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Well, my time in Tanzania earlier this year was something
that it was a life change and experience because before
my only home was Jamaica, and with the reception we
received in Tanzania, I no, no that I have a
(29:43):
home there as well, you know that, and Africa is
a place that's there and there to my heart. I
visited there four years ago, actually the same Tanzania to
shoot the film Oh Okay, and you know, so to
go back for years later and be invited to talk
and be their special guests, and then to receive a
(30:06):
Chairman's Award was the biggest accomplishment and something that I
would have never.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Expected, you know.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
It surpassed my expectations when doing this film to be
able to go across the world and my brothers and
sisters can relate to the film even though they don't
speak English right, so much less patter, but they understand
what's going on because of the visual storytelling I mean.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Music, film, Yeah, any type of storytelling. It just really
translates to people because I find that same thing with music. Yeah,
you know, but it's something about.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Yeah, money transcends language, yes, yes, vibrate one.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
And I would say that, in my opinion, every creative
field its challenges. I think a lot of people see
like the bright lights and the red carpets and all
these things. But I think every every field in general,
but especially every creative field, I think has its challenges.
So for you, what has been the hardest part of
building a career in Jamaica and cinema or Caribbean cinema
(31:19):
and how have you navigated some of those hurdles?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I think you know, one of the biggest challenges
is that there isn't yet an established industry for Caribbean
filmmakers and so work is far and feel between and
so you know, we in terms of our so you know,
(31:44):
it's kind you know. So once you go past passion
and made their career, you actually need to make a living, right,
you know.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
And so if you're go.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Into the movie business, the business part is what's lacking,
and that can be very discouraging because it's hard for you.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
To actually make money.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
To support yourself, support your family and to keep investing
in your craft. Of course, it takes a lot of
money to make these these films, and that can be
very very discouraging, you know, to any kind of artist,
you know. And I don't believe in starving artists, you know,
(32:29):
I believe in farming artists. Farming art is one that
plans the seeds for them for them to reap in
the future, you know. And the way for us to
do that is through intellectual property. So so it's difficult,
(32:50):
but I'm using whatever it's difficult to equipped me.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
To make to make to reap in the future, you
know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
H I love that. Yeah, and it's definitely important because
a lot of movies are filmed in Jamaica, so you know,
there's a lot of talk about the fairness of that.
You know, big companies coming to Jamaica and filming and capturing,
but maybe not necessarily including Jamaica and filmmakers. You know
what I mean. I think that's something that definitely has
(33:21):
to change.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Yes, yes, it's something that.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
You know, it goes back down to money, because we
need to build the infrastructure and the facilities that can
accommodate teaching and training people so that they operate at
the industry standard right as well as we will need
time to develop our own standards. So what does it
(33:49):
mean to tell a Caribbean story? What is how do
Caribbean people want to ingest their stories? You know, this
is something that all film markets do. You know that
you're in Asia, or you're in Africa, or you're in
North America, their stories are told in a particular way.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
And I don't want I.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
Think you will be very unfortunate for us so just
fit into the mold of North America because they are closest.
Never I think it will be a lot better for
us to take the time to develop storytelling to fit
our needs.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
I know that you are passionate about mentoring young filmmakers,
and I just wanted you to share why that's so
important to you and what you hope the next generation
of Jamaican directors, filmmakers, producers. What do you hope that
they carry forward?
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Well, I answer the first part first.
Speaker 3 (34:48):
I think I hope that they carry forward our history,
and I hope that we.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Take the time.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
To to remember our history beyond slavery, you know, and
to also reimagine what our people and our civilization can
look like without all the trauma and all the hurt
(35:20):
of slavery, you know, you know. And the why it's
so important for me is because that's legacy.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
You know. I love Jamaica so much.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
This is the place that I was birthed in, and
I love Africa so much, and I would love to
see the two of them, you know, both Africa and
the Caribbean to form a stronger link, and for kids
from Africa and kids from Jamaica to be able to
experience both places.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
You know.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
I think everything we need, all the resources we need
right here and our soil, and it's time for us
to look within and become self sustainable.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
And a major part of that is.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
For the older folks to pass down their knowledge to us,
to me, and then for me to pass my knowledge
and the knowledge I've received down to the next generation.
You know, it's a continuous handing down, handing forward. As
we've we've established earlier, is that the younger generation deserve
(36:32):
our seat at the table as well. Yes, because they
definitely are very insightful and very knowledgeable. Definitely, I think
I'm really excited and I'm really excited about about the
future of cinema, but on a broader.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Scale, I'm really excited about.
Speaker 3 (36:56):
The changes that I know our generation has in store
for Jamaica, for the Caribbean, and for Africa.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
I love that. Well, I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
To know you're doing it. You know, just to what
you're doing.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
This podcast here is something that people will be able
to listen to for generations to come.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Oh gosh, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Well,
when you when you're first Oscar, you can come back
to little old me and give me a little after
Oscar interview.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
All right, So for our final segment, before I do
my thank you, I'm going to ask you a few
rapid fire questions and I would like you to answer
with the first thing that comes to mind. Okay, all right,
what is the first film that made you fall in
love with cinema?
Speaker 2 (37:52):
Shrek?
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Excuse me?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
Yeah, yeah, I remember that day vividly.
Speaker 2 (38:03):
I was watching Shrek because that's also that day.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
You know, they say you never forget trauma. Also this day,
I phoned the utter. I had my first cavity, and
I remember.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Watching the movie No It's It's not safe.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
I was watching the movie at home with my mom
and we were laughing and you know, having a grand time.
I was eating candy and everything. Then I felt the
sharp pain in my tooth and my stomach dropped. I
knew something unsafe was was was around the corner.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
You know.
Speaker 1 (38:40):
So, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
But Shrek, I mean, it's it's a classic, you know,
because it goes, it goes.
Speaker 2 (38:48):
It doesn't have an age gap.
Speaker 3 (38:50):
Anybody can watch true, true it has It's very funny
but serious at the same time.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
You know, it has great meal music in it.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
They did a great job at developing a world, you knows,
from an intellectual property standpoint, that developed a lot of
strong assets.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
M hm.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
So yeah, Shrek is something that's known globally. If I
have a Shrek in my catalog, I'm happy.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Then you're reach. That's a black buster move.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
I love it. Just threw me for a loop. I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
Nobody ever expects it. But it's a classic. I love it.
I love that.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Love that. Okay, name a Jamaican woman who has impacted
your life? So like mom, aunt, grandmother.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
I think you're going to say, Michelle Williams. My mom.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
Oh, definitely has impacted and continues to impact both my
life from my brother's life. You know, she's a definition
of selfless and the definition of you know, and you know,
forever love. You know, her love is forever. And I
(40:09):
appreciate it all the time, you know, from the simple
things of you know, making a breakfast, yeah, staying up
late hours while I'm writing my scripts, you know, like
a superwoman.
Speaker 1 (40:24):
And I love that.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Mom.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
If you're listening, I love you. Thank you so much
for everything.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
Oh gosh, man, I love that. That's so beautiful, big
up empty. That's nice, all right? And what is I'm saying?
And but I have a few more. What is one
Jamaican dish you could eat every day?
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (40:50):
Oxtail o still nice?
Speaker 1 (40:53):
Okay, So now I have to ask the question. Rice
and peas are white? Rice?
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Rice? And peas.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Good answer, just check in, just take your jommaicon card,
just checking No, no, I'm you're sife all right? Who
is an artist or maybe which artist would you want
to collaborate with? Maybe in a film or I don't know, musically,
(41:22):
just collaborate with.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Yeah, well if I could, I would love to collaborate
with Bob Marley. I think his music is so poetic
and so visual. You know, he can go through four
lines in a verse and you know, take us through,
you know, a few months of his life.
Speaker 1 (41:45):
You know, Yeah, very true.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
I definitely study his music and his lyrics, particularly because
of how how he has the balance of simplicity but
also complexity. Ye know, he's talking about very deep, very
serious topics, but does it in a catch away that
people from all over the world can understand and relate to. So,
(42:13):
you know, at some point I would love to be
able to do something with Bob Miley's music or with
his estate, if it's somebody who's living. The first person
that came to mind is Chronics. He just dropped his
album and it's a great album.
Speaker 1 (42:34):
Is like I can't stop playing my favorite one so far.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Yeah, great song. You know, I love that old sound.
Speaker 3 (42:43):
I love, you know, I love you know, time pieces,
I love drama history, you know. So that sound he's
been able to capture in this new album particularly, it's
something that I love, you know.
Speaker 1 (42:57):
Yeah, Oh that would be amazing. I'm sure those both
of those things will happen for sure.
Speaker 2 (43:02):
Yeah, yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1 (43:04):
Okay, two more.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
Sure.
Speaker 1 (43:06):
What is a quote or philosophy that you well, I
guess that stands out to you from your grandmother?
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Okay, well, I just left my grandma's house.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
Mom, she's she's one hundred years old. My gosh, Yeah,
she's one hundred years old, and she you know, she
lives by the phrase blessed and highly favored.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
You know.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
So that's actually something that I would like to turn
into a movie at some point. Okay, you know, I
just think it's a great phrase, you know, to be
blessed and to be highly favored. It's a great reminder
of who we are and how the Lord sees us
(43:59):
and how the Lord blessed us.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
You know, that's so beautiful. Yes, wow, And all coincidentally,
you just left her house.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
Yeah, I just left.
Speaker 3 (44:08):
That's the last thing I remember blessed than her favorite
she's one hundred years old and she truly is blessed
than her favor.
Speaker 1 (44:16):
Wow, that's so beautiful. Okay, And for the final question,
if you if your life had a closing credits scene,
what song would play? And why?
Speaker 3 (44:30):
Mmm?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
What song? That's tough.
Speaker 3 (44:37):
I've been when I've been begin to jazz lately. Okay,
but I mean Bob is just the general, so maybe
I'd have to go for Bob tune.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I don't know what song.
Speaker 3 (44:52):
This is tough because you know I love music, you know,
and so I wanted to be the right song.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
No, I understand. Take your time. It's an important decision.
What if somebody hears this and says, this is a
song we're gonna.
Speaker 3 (45:06):
Use exactly, exactly exactly, So make sure you listening, listen,
choose any song.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Apt choose the right song. No pressure, though, right, No pressure.
I can't believe I sumped you. I've You've been so
good answering every single question. You'll never forget me because
you'll be like, this is the one person that stopped
(45:40):
me with a question.
Speaker 3 (45:41):
Yeah, okay, well well we could do Bob Manley, give
thanks some praises.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (45:51):
It's an awful song.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
It's a song I usually play in the morning, particularly
when I have a big day head, and it's you know,
it's a song about prayer and about giving thanks and
being grateful, and I think that would that would be
my stance at the end of the road, when the
(46:14):
end credits are going up. I would be very grateful
and very grateful now. So I can only imagine how
much more grateful that will be when my time comes.
So let's say Bob my Ley gigs thanks and praises.
People can dance, people can wear nice, you know, colorful clothing,
and they can have a true celebration.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
I love that. See that wasn't that hard. Just took
you a few minutes.
Speaker 2 (46:42):
Yes, yes, and it's funny.
Speaker 1 (46:43):
You're probably going to come out for this and be like, nah,
I should have picked this other.
Speaker 3 (46:47):
Song that would be the first song. But there will
be a whole album and a playlist after that.
Speaker 1 (46:55):
Yes, there's gonna be a lot of credits. So yeah,
we're probably gonna need a new song. I would say
this is a segment where I do my thank you
and I tell people, don't bother to crying because me
easy for cry. Just try hold it like a g
you know, but JP, I want to thank you so much,
(47:19):
not just for your time, but for your vision. In
your hands, the camera isn't just a tool, as you've explained,
it's a vessel, and through it you've given light to
stories that might have been forgotten and faces that deserve
to be seen. I think that your work reminds us
that cinema it isn't just about entertainment. It's about empathy,
(47:41):
which I think is lost sometimes and it's really important.
And it's about creating space for people to see themselves
reflected in all their humanity. And you've carried the spirit
of Jamaica onto global screens, not as a stereotype which
we often see, but as truth with death, dignity and rhythm.
(48:02):
And I also actually want to take a moment to
reflect on something that you shared about bringing your grandmother
to your first film festival.
Speaker 2 (48:12):
I believe yeah.
Speaker 1 (48:13):
So I think just hearing you talk and thinking about that,
that there's something poetic about that moment, right, So, like
two generations sitting side by side and watching your story,
her story flicker across the screen, and that image that
captures everything that this conversation has been about, which I
think is legacy. Love and really the overall power of representation,
(48:39):
because on that day you likely gave her not just
pride to see her grandson, you know, achieving his dreams,
but you gave her proof that the story she's lived,
the language she spoke, the people she knew, all mattered
enough to be seen by the world. And to me,
that's the heart of storytelling, right, like turning memory into
(49:01):
meaning and meaning into something that's lasting. And what you've
built and what your grandmother was able to witness, especially
her being one hundred years old, which is amazing, is
more than a film career. It's a continuation of lineage.
It's a way of saying we were here and we
still are here. So thank you, JP for being more
(49:23):
than a filmmaker. Thank you for being an archivist of emotion,
a custodian of culture, and a reminder that the most
powerful art is born not from ambition but from love.
And I think that you've shown that legacy isn't only
what we create, it's who we honor along the way.
So yeah, thanks for coming to talk to things with me.
Speaker 3 (49:45):
Thank you so much. It does that real pleasure talking
with you. I look forward to coming back. Yes, open
in a few months. Yes we can talk more things.
Speaker 1 (49:59):
Yes, yes, definitely for sure, for sure. I can't wait
to have you back.
Speaker 2 (50:06):
M hm m hm
As I was preparing for this episode, I found myself
thinking about how stories really shape nations, how a film,
sometimes just a single frame, can hold the rhythm, the resonance,
and the resilience of a people. This week, we are
(00:23):
talking to Things with a filmmaker whose filmmaking embodies this beautifully,
Jp Williams. JP's uniqueness is his ability to capture Jamaica
not as a postcard, but as a living, breathing symphony, complex,
(00:44):
raw and beautiful. His lens feels like a mirror, not
just reflecting culture, but preserving it. He's given us characters
who remind us of our neighbors or elders, and and
sometimes ourselves. This conversation is not just about film. It's
(01:06):
about legacy, culture, self actualization, and how storytelling becomes memory.
How filmmakers like JP help us remember who we are
and remind us who we still might become if we
just believe. If you're listening to the podcast on Apple Podcast,
(01:32):
please remember to rate and leave a comment below. Also,
don't forget to follow us on Instagram at Let's Talk
the Things. Now, Grab your tea, coffee, or a glass
of wine and let's talk to Things. Hello everyone, Welcome
(01:53):
back to Let's Talk to Things, where we discuss personal growth, music,
film and wellness while encouraging you to live fearlessly and fabulously.
I'm your host, Ash and this week we are talking
the Things with one of the most visionary filmmakers shaping
modern Caribbean cinema, Jamaican film director, screenwriter, producer, and most
(02:19):
recently the recipient of the twenty twenty five Zanzibar International
Film Festival Chairman's Award, Justin Paul Williams. Hi, JP, how are.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
You, hush? How are you?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
I'm good? Thanks for coming to Talk the Things with me?
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Yeah, Mane, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It's a pleasure, of course, of course, of course. So
as a first time guest and for persons out there
listening for the first time, we begin each episode with
our listener's favorite segment, and it's called datna sound Safe.
It's nothing crazy more just a little bit of fun.
(03:02):
So I'm going to read messages or social media posts
that listener sent in and if you think it sounds
crazy or a little bit concerning, you would say that
sounds safe and explain why, and if you agree, you
say you agree and explain why sounds good?
Speaker 2 (03:19):
Sure, sounds good?
Speaker 1 (03:21):
All right. The first person said, to all Caribbean elders,
your belly get big is not a greeting.
Speaker 3 (03:31):
Hey, listen, I I'm so used to that one, and
I've just taken it as a compliment to say that
I'm eating well.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
Good. So we're gonna let that one pass. We'll let
that one pass.
Speaker 1 (03:52):
Okay. So you think it sounds safe.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
Then it sounds right on par with all my grandma's
and antis and everybody, so right, get I want to.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Say, Okay, okay, we'll say that safe. Perhaps maybe we
can be a little softer in the greeting because maybe
it would affect some person's sport.
Speaker 2 (04:15):
Yes, yes, definitely, you're.
Speaker 1 (04:18):
Right, we're so used to it.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Trauma, right, yeah, the trauma within the love you know.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious. Okay. The next person said,
instead of questioning yourself when someone mistreats you, ignores you,
disrespects you, and demeans you, question them and think what
is wrong with them that they think treating you like
that is? Okay?
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Yeah, I agree with that statement.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Yeah, I think I think oftentimes when people treat your negatively,
it's coming from a negative place within, possibly something that
they're not able or not.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Ready to deal with. Mhm.
Speaker 3 (05:03):
And and you know, we have to learn to be
to take things with a grain of salt, you know,
right right, don't take everything to heart. You know, some people,
some people are just dealing with a.
Speaker 2 (05:20):
Lot of trauma, you know.
Speaker 3 (05:24):
And but you know, that's still no excuse for them
to to treat people like that, of course, And so
I think it's if if it's somebody that you love
and care for, I think it's important to take the
time to address it and confront them about it and say, hey,
you know, these things that you're saying to me are
(05:44):
hurtful or these things that you're doing are hurtful. And
this is why you know, communication it's important because sometimes
people don't know, you know, that's what they may be
doing is affecting us.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
You know, that's fair, that's fair. And I want to
touch on something you said because I think often we
think just communication can work, but I think comprehension is
also important because if you're communicating to somebody that hasn't
really met themselves or don't know themselves, then they could
(06:19):
even see it as an attack, even if you try
to have like a you know, just soft, mild mannered conversation,
if they don't realize that they have an issue, they
could see it in a certain way. So I think, yeah,
you're right, definitely try to communicate. But if maybe you
see it's not landing correctly, then you know that's not
about you, that's about them.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
I think, right for sure.
Speaker 1 (06:41):
Okay, all right, I agree with you on that one.
All right. The next person said, every time I can
relate to this, every time I socialize, I'm like, okay,
that's enough for the next eleven days.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Yeah, these are so accurate.
Speaker 3 (07:03):
Yeah, I'm somebody that my social battery gets burnt out quickly. Yes,
you know, I you know, as a as a creative,
as a filmmaker, there's so many things that go on
in my mind, you know, and oftentimes, if I'm not
surrounded by people who can see it similarly, I find myself,
(07:33):
you know, over extending myself. I'm trying to explain and
I'm trying to make it relatable.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
And it's training.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
It's very draining, it's very draining. So when I'm with
my people, I'm locked in. We can we can talk
all night. But if that's not the case, then I'm
moutu Rather, you know, socialized for an hour and then
and I've learned.
Speaker 2 (07:57):
I've learned how to.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
Manage that and how to know when my limit has
has has been reached, you know.
Speaker 1 (08:06):
Yeah, no, absolutely, I'm the same way. I'm very introverted
and persons don't expect that because these are persons that
know me, and like you said, it's different if I'm
around person that I'm comfortable with, but you know, crowds
and those things. I'm definitely the friend that every now
and then people look around and like where did Ash go?
I'm on the highway already got because I just get
(08:31):
drained so easily. Like you said, the energy it takes
to try to, you know, explain certain things and it's
just too much. I can't bother.
Speaker 3 (08:43):
Definitely a balanced though, you know, because we we're social creatures, right,
it is important for us to have community.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
They say solitude, you know, isn't the best, you know,
because it's it's bad counsel Solitude is con which means
it's good from time to time to bones ideas off
of somebody else and get their feedback, you know. So
I definitely think it's all a balance. Too much of
(09:15):
one thing isn't good.
Speaker 1 (09:17):
It's not good exactly exactly. But I think you bring
up a good point. It's who you're around, right, because
if you're around the wrong set of people, then that
could be stressful and have you unbalanced as well.
Speaker 2 (09:29):
Exactly exactly.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
So okay, all right, we're three for three. That's good. Okay,
two more. The next person said, anyone that profits off
of you being blind will never teach you or inspire
you to see.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Yes, that sat all ash.
Speaker 1 (09:49):
Yeah, so dangerous.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
That's the worst one.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
I mean, now, that's that's just not a good person,
you know, Yeah, that person.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Is It's not it's not given from their heart. You know.
I think I think we all have good and we
all have bad, but I think it's important to lead
with the good mm hmm. And so you know, to
(10:22):
live positively. You know.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
It goes right back to what we spoke about community
just a while.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Ago, right, right.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
You want to pour into your community and have your
community to pour into you.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
You know, absolutely it's not just give and it's not
just take.
Speaker 1 (10:42):
It's both absolutely on one hundred percent agree with that.
I think that like you said, it goes back to
what we said. Also, being around like minded people, they're
going to want the best for you, and so you know,
you're going to pour into each other and it will
be more balanced versus you having to pour and then
your copy is empty.
Speaker 2 (11:00):
So no, that doesn't.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
And the final one, someone said, not all good vibes
are good. Some are networking strategies in disguise.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Yeah, yeah, true.
Speaker 1 (11:18):
I'm sure you can relate to that.
Speaker 3 (11:20):
I definitely can relate having moved to LA for the
past three years.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
Oh I didn't you even know that?
Speaker 2 (11:28):
Yes, so when you mentioned being in LA, I was
saying I was gonna.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
Say, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:37):
Whoa, yes, So sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your thought.
That just threw me off guard.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
So LA is a very transactional place. People want to
know how they can gain from you, what they can gain,
and if there isn't anything to gain, then you're not
important to them.
Speaker 2 (12:00):
Mm hmm. And Jamaica is a lot different.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
You know, Jamaica is about the good vibes, the real
good vibes. Smile, you know, manners, positivity, These are foundation
you know, these are principle, you know, core values that
we have been that have.
Speaker 2 (12:19):
Been instilling us.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
And it definitely was a culture shock moving to l
A and seeing people in the supermarket and they wouldn't
say good morning. You know, I've seen people in the
elevator and they would just keep their heads look yeah.
Speaker 2 (12:39):
So yeah, you know that I went.
Speaker 3 (12:41):
I definitely went through a phase where it was starting
to affect me and change how I was to people.
But that started to learn that it's important not to
say high Hi for a high Hi g H right
high you say hi to somebody because it's it's coming
(13:05):
from within, it's giving from your pool. We can't control
how people respond, but we can definitely control how we
treat people.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
So let's start there.
Speaker 1 (13:16):
That is very insightful, very insightful. I love that high
and high. It's so true because I've talked about that.
So I've spoken about that so many times on this podcast,
like manners, because I've grown up with that being such
a core of who I am and that's expected of me.
I find that's been the hardest thing. And I've been
(13:37):
here since I was little. That's the hardest thing for
me to adjust to people walking in the room and
not speaking and and like you said, at first you're
thinking like, okay, well I guess I'll not do it too.
But then you realize that's not who you are, right,
so then you're allowing those persons to control you. And
that notes sound safe at all? Well? That was fun
(14:02):
and harmless, right, mostly safe. I would say, well, now
we'll just talk the real things. And so, JP, I
always like to start at the very beginning before in
your case, before the lights, before the lens, before all
of the accolades that you've received. When you think back
to your childhood in Jamaica, what's your first memory of
(14:26):
storytelling and what was that like first spark that you got?
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Sure?
Speaker 3 (14:33):
So, when I was eight years old, I was introduced
to the camera by my auntie Gail. Okay, she lived
in New York, and she brought down her point and
shoot camera one year and threw it at me and said, listen,
you're learning how to take pictures this summer, okay, you know.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
And I fell in love with it.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
You know, we went everywhere we went, we brought the
camera and we snapped a whole lot of pictures. And
you know, I don't know if she saw something within
me or it was just her instinct, but She is
who I credit for introducing me to visual storytelling, and
(15:21):
ever since I've been in love, you know, I you know,
my parents gifted me a computer a few years later
that was equipped with an editing software and a webcam,
and I would take videos of myself and edit them
in the software, then post them to Facebook for my
friends and family to enjoy. And you know, at the
(15:44):
root of it, it was all about telling stories. It
was all about communicating a message. And you know, if
we fast forward to when I went to high school,
some of that got buried, you.
Speaker 1 (16:05):
Know, Okay, and where did you go to high school?
Speaker 3 (16:09):
So I started at Wolma's and then I finished at
Hillel Academy.
Speaker 1 (16:15):
Okay, nice and then.
Speaker 3 (16:17):
So it wasn't until the later years of Hellal that
I that I re established my love for storytelling through
visuals and started to help out the school with making
promotional material for the football matches and you know, videos
to play at assembly and so on. You know, But
(16:41):
at this point, I still didn't know there was such
thing as a filmmaker, you know, I didn't know anything
about the industry. Of course, I watched movies, but that
just felt like something that was on the screen.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I didn't know. I didn't ever think that somebody.
Speaker 3 (16:58):
Yeah, I didn't ever think somebody actually wrote and directed
this and filmed it and did the costume of.
Speaker 2 (17:05):
Design and the lighting and didn't have any clue.
Speaker 1 (17:09):
Oh my gosh, whoa yeah, man, wow, Wow, that's so fascinating,
especially because so much of your work carries that sense
of rooted observation.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
Yes, you know.
Speaker 1 (17:21):
So with that being said, was there a moment that
you realized after you now learned that that was possible
and what kind of goes into those movies that you
were watching. Was there a moment when you realize that
capturing that was your calling, like what you were doing
was something you could turn into a career.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
Right, So that didn't the career conversation didn't come up
until twenty twenty. Actually, so this could have been after,
you know, after so I started university ad it five
months in Canada studying business. I didn't, you know. I
wasn't happy. So I called my parents said, listen, this
(18:05):
is not for me. You know, you guys are wasting
your money.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
You know, let me, let.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
Me take control of where I think my life is going.
And so I came back home to Jamaica and did
video production because you know, I had developed you know,
through YouTube University. I had developed a skill set of
filming and editing and of course telling the story. I said,
(18:32):
all right, I'll do video production. So I started to
do corporate gigs for about three or four years here
in Jamaica until COVID hit.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
And once COVID hit.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
I, you know, all of my jobs closed because we
couldn't be on set. So it gave me some free
time to reevaluate what I was doing with my time.
And I thought to myself, you know, this isn't This
isn't where my passion lives. You know, my persional lives
and telling meaningful stories that can uplift people, teach people,
(19:11):
celebrate our history, give hints at what the future.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
May look like.
Speaker 3 (19:17):
And what I was doing on the corporate side wasn't
doing that. It wasn't fulfilling me. No, That's when I
set out to shoot my first I still didn't know
it was called a film, but I was setting help
to tell a story, you know, about Jamaican guy who
lives in a garrison area and once a change, he
(19:42):
wants to find himself and he goes on.
Speaker 2 (19:45):
This journey across the island and we.
Speaker 3 (19:48):
Went to about thirty different natural attractions in each parish
and captured them without any tourists, you know, not it
was empty because of COVID. And when I got back
from that week long trip, I saw how much footage
I captured and that was the first time it was
(20:11):
like a light bulb. The idea of a short film
came into my mind, you know, and ever since I've
been pursuing that dream.
Speaker 2 (20:23):
You know.
Speaker 3 (20:23):
So that's what eventually led me to LA in twenty
twenty three to do a two year associates program at
the New York Film Academy where I started filmmaking, which
led me to do my thesis project called Believe. That
(20:44):
led me to Tanzania, where I received the Chairman's Award.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Oh nice, So can you tell us a little bit
about Believe?
Speaker 2 (20:55):
Sure? So Believe.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
It's a very personal story, you know. It's a story
I think I divinely wrote for myself as a reminder
about self belief. Ultimately, it's a story about a young
Jamaican who wants to be a filmmaker and has to
present something at career day and his dad polls the
(21:20):
question you know, what are you going to present for
career day? And he eagerly responds filmmaking, and the dad says, no,
film is a waste of time.
Speaker 2 (21:31):
You know, film, film won't make you any money.
Speaker 3 (21:36):
However, he is encouraged to follow his dreams and believe
in himself through the analogy of the caterpillar turn into
a butterfly, which is told to him by his grandma.
And so at the end of the story we see
him pull through with presenting film through the through out
(22:00):
of puppet. He doesn't quite have a camera or anything,
but he builds a little shadow puppet theater and tells
a story through that. And at the end of it,
the dad says, you know, I'm starting to sell the
vision here, you know, and you know it's it's a
story about believing in yourself. It's a story about transformation.
(22:21):
And it's also, on a deeper level, a story about
generational gap. And they and they difficulty sometimes for the
older generation to understand the newer generation because they're living
in a completely different time.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
Yeah, very true.
Speaker 2 (22:42):
You know, my.
Speaker 3 (22:42):
Parents have always been supported in one hundred and ten percent,
but they sometimes didn't understand what they were supporting. You know,
and I think it's important for the child to not
just get support, but also get understanding. And so there
(23:03):
comes a point where the two generations meet in the middle,
and just as the parent teaches the child, the child
starts to teach the parent, you know.
Speaker 1 (23:14):
I love that, Yeah, And I think that's such an
important story to tell, because not all of us are
blessed with parents that are willing to listen or are
willing to be taught, right, because in general, our culture
is very much do as I say, not as I do,
don't ask any questions, you know, things like that. And
(23:35):
I think that's so important that a parent, like you said,
would just really believe that they can learn from their child.
I think that's a really important message to send out,
especially within Caribbean culture, because typically, like you said, generationally,
it's like learn from your child. What No, I just
(23:56):
tell you what to do, and you're supposed to do it,
you know, So exactly, I think our generation and the
younger generations have done a really good job of kind
of teaching our parents that we don't have to be
disrespectful in doing it. But this this is our lives,
you know, and so we should have a say in
what it is that we want to do and what
(24:16):
will make us happy. And I really commend you for
calling your parents and telling them, you know, you're wasting
your money and to essentially to allow you to try
to pursue your dream, you know what I mean, some
kids would have either just had the money be wasted
and maybe fail out of school. And then everybody is
not going to like that because the parents are wasting money,
(24:39):
you're wasting your time. So I think that was very
honest of you to, you know, be honest with them
and then know look how much you've accomplished. So I
think that's really an amazing message.
Speaker 3 (24:50):
I mean, I've been reminded over and over you know,
money is one thing, but time is is you know,
you can't replace time. And when I was, you know,
sitting in those classrooms at university, felt like my time
most importantly was being wasted. And I got a second
(25:14):
reminder of that when COVID hit and I really valued.
Speaker 2 (25:21):
What I was doing with capturing. You see, when when.
Speaker 3 (25:24):
You click that shutter and capturing image, you're capturing that forever, right,
so whether you're capturing it for archival purpose or for
entertainment purpose, or for education purpose, it will live on forever,
and so you know, I find great responsibility in that.
(25:50):
And for me, I didn't feel satisfied with you know,
we're just capturing content that was paying the bills, but
wasn't going to pay forward to another generation or at
the bare minimum give me satisfaction, you know, because we're artists.
So as an artist, we need to satisfy ourselves first
(26:14):
and then we can think about the audience.
Speaker 2 (26:17):
Right.
Speaker 1 (26:17):
I love that. I love that. And one of the
things that stands out to me about your filmmaking, even
in what you're sharing with us today, is you show
Jamaica as it is, right, unfiltered but still kind of
really poetic. I would say, So, how do you strike
that balance between realism and beauty or between truth and storytelling?
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Great question.
Speaker 3 (26:43):
Well, to me, Jamaica in its nature is very poetic,
not very surreal, you know, so just you know, traveling
the country and going to all the different natural attractions,
I have been blown away by its beauty and everything
it has to offer. And so I truly feel that
(27:06):
Jamaica is a magical, you know, kind of fantasy place, right,
and we can see it in the art that's created
from this country.
Speaker 2 (27:20):
And the way people taught, the way people move.
Speaker 3 (27:22):
It's very rhythmic, so you know, it's it's more about
just tapping into already what's here on the soil, you know,
and representing it as purely as possible, and also finding
my own voice, finding my own signature style that can
add to the story, you know, but I think it's important.
(27:47):
So you know, my favorite genre it's called historical drama,
and historical means it takes from archives, it takes from
what actually happened or what is happening, and the drama
will be the poetic side.
Speaker 2 (28:05):
It's just how you're present it, you know.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
And so you know, I love to read. I love
to go to the library. I love to read all newspapers.
I love to look at pictures from back in the days,
because that's really.
Speaker 1 (28:21):
You know, it's so funny because a lot of times
people will think, because you're of a different generation, that
you don't like to do things like that, you know,
because we're supposed to be like not interested in back
then and kind of like interested in the new things.
But I'm the same way, Like I love looking at
old pictures and all newspapers, and what certain cities or
(28:44):
countries even used to look like prior to me being alive.
You know, I just find it so interesting. Yes, So
I'm sure that informs your filmmaking as.
Speaker 2 (28:54):
Well, one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (28:56):
And it's truly a blessing because I don't have to
sit on and try to make something up.
Speaker 2 (29:03):
You know, I can pull from real life.
Speaker 1 (29:05):
Love that and you're, like you mentioned with the film festival,
So your films have traveled far, you know, being screened
internationally and praised for their authenticity. For you, what has
been the most surprising response that you've received from a
global audience.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
Well, my time in Tanzania earlier this year was something
that it was a life change and experience because before
my only home was Jamaica, and with the reception we
received in Tanzania, I no, no that I have a
(29:43):
home there as well, you know that, and Africa is
a place that's there and there to my heart. I
visited there four years ago, actually the same Tanzania to
shoot the film Oh Okay, and you know, so to
go back for years later and be invited to talk
and be their special guests, and then to receive a
(30:06):
Chairman's Award was the biggest accomplishment and something that I
would have never.
Speaker 2 (30:13):
Expected, you know.
Speaker 3 (30:14):
It surpassed my expectations when doing this film to be
able to go across the world and my brothers and
sisters can relate to the film even though they don't
speak English right, so much less patter, but they understand
what's going on because of the visual storytelling I mean.
Speaker 1 (30:37):
Music, film, Yeah, any type of storytelling. It just really
translates to people because I find that same thing with music. Yeah,
you know, but it's something about.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
Yeah, money transcends language, yes, yes, vibrate one.
Speaker 1 (30:55):
And I would say that, in my opinion, every creative
field its challenges. I think a lot of people see
like the bright lights and the red carpets and all
these things. But I think every every field in general,
but especially every creative field, I think has its challenges.
So for you, what has been the hardest part of
building a career in Jamaica and cinema or Caribbean cinema
(31:19):
and how have you navigated some of those hurdles?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
Yeah, I think you know, one of the biggest challenges
is that there isn't yet an established industry for Caribbean
filmmakers and so work is far and feel between and
so you know, we in terms of our so you know,
(31:44):
it's kind you know. So once you go past passion
and made their career, you actually need to make a living, right,
you know.
Speaker 2 (31:53):
And so if you're go.
Speaker 3 (31:54):
Into the movie business, the business part is what's lacking,
and that can be very discouraging because it's hard for you.
Speaker 2 (32:04):
To actually make money.
Speaker 3 (32:07):
To support yourself, support your family and to keep investing
in your craft. Of course, it takes a lot of
money to make these these films, and that can be
very very discouraging, you know, to any kind of artist,
you know. And I don't believe in starving artists, you know,
(32:29):
I believe in farming artists. Farming art is one that
plans the seeds for them for them to reap in
the future, you know. And the way for us to
do that is through intellectual property. So so it's difficult,
(32:50):
but I'm using whatever it's difficult to equipped me.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
To make to make to reap in the future, you
know what I mean.
Speaker 1 (32:59):
H I love that. Yeah, and it's definitely important because
a lot of movies are filmed in Jamaica, so you know,
there's a lot of talk about the fairness of that.
You know, big companies coming to Jamaica and filming and capturing,
but maybe not necessarily including Jamaica and filmmakers. You know
what I mean. I think that's something that definitely has
(33:21):
to change.
Speaker 2 (33:22):
Yes, yes, it's something that.
Speaker 3 (33:26):
You know, it goes back down to money, because we
need to build the infrastructure and the facilities that can
accommodate teaching and training people so that they operate at
the industry standard right as well as we will need
time to develop our own standards. So what does it
(33:49):
mean to tell a Caribbean story? What is how do
Caribbean people want to ingest their stories? You know, this
is something that all film markets do. You know that
you're in Asia, or you're in Africa, or you're in
North America, their stories are told in a particular way.
Speaker 2 (34:08):
And I don't want I.
Speaker 3 (34:09):
Think you will be very unfortunate for us so just
fit into the mold of North America because they are closest.
Never I think it will be a lot better for
us to take the time to develop storytelling to fit
our needs.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
I know that you are passionate about mentoring young filmmakers,
and I just wanted you to share why that's so
important to you and what you hope the next generation
of Jamaican directors, filmmakers, producers. What do you hope that
they carry forward?
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Well, I answer the first part first.
Speaker 3 (34:48):
I think I hope that they carry forward our history,
and I hope that we.
Speaker 2 (34:57):
Take the time.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
To to remember our history beyond slavery, you know, and
to also reimagine what our people and our civilization can
look like without all the trauma and all the hurt
(35:20):
of slavery, you know, you know. And the why it's
so important for me is because that's legacy.
Speaker 2 (35:28):
You know. I love Jamaica so much.
Speaker 3 (35:30):
This is the place that I was birthed in, and
I love Africa so much, and I would love to
see the two of them, you know, both Africa and
the Caribbean to form a stronger link, and for kids
from Africa and kids from Jamaica to be able to
experience both places.
Speaker 2 (35:51):
You know.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
I think everything we need, all the resources we need
right here and our soil, and it's time for us
to look within and become self sustainable.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
And a major part of that is.
Speaker 3 (36:10):
For the older folks to pass down their knowledge to us,
to me, and then for me to pass my knowledge
and the knowledge I've received down to the next generation.
You know, it's a continuous handing down, handing forward. As
we've we've established earlier, is that the younger generation deserve
(36:32):
our seat at the table as well. Yes, because they
definitely are very insightful and very knowledgeable. Definitely, I think
I'm really excited and I'm really excited about about the
future of cinema, but on a broader.
Speaker 2 (36:52):
Scale, I'm really excited about.
Speaker 3 (36:56):
The changes that I know our generation has in store
for Jamaica, for the Caribbean, and for Africa.
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (37:03):
I love that. Well, I'm excited.
Speaker 2 (37:05):
To know you're doing it. You know, just to what
you're doing.
Speaker 3 (37:11):
This podcast here is something that people will be able
to listen to for generations to come.
Speaker 1 (37:17):
Oh gosh, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. Well,
when you when you're first Oscar, you can come back
to little old me and give me a little after
Oscar interview.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Definitely.
Speaker 1 (37:35):
All right, So for our final segment, before I do
my thank you, I'm going to ask you a few
rapid fire questions and I would like you to answer
with the first thing that comes to mind. Okay, all right,
what is the first film that made you fall in
love with cinema?
Speaker 2 (37:52):
Shrek?
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Excuse me?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
Yeah, yeah, I remember that day vividly.
Speaker 2 (38:03):
I was watching Shrek because that's also that day.
Speaker 3 (38:07):
You know, they say you never forget trauma. Also this day,
I phoned the utter. I had my first cavity, and
I remember.
Speaker 2 (38:16):
Watching the movie No It's It's not safe.
Speaker 3 (38:19):
I was watching the movie at home with my mom
and we were laughing and you know, having a grand time.
I was eating candy and everything. Then I felt the
sharp pain in my tooth and my stomach dropped. I
knew something unsafe was was was around the corner.
Speaker 2 (38:40):
You know.
Speaker 1 (38:40):
So, oh my god.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
But Shrek, I mean, it's it's a classic, you know,
because it goes, it goes.
Speaker 2 (38:48):
It doesn't have an age gap.
Speaker 3 (38:50):
Anybody can watch true, true it has It's very funny
but serious at the same time.
Speaker 2 (38:58):
You know, it has great meal music in it.
Speaker 3 (39:01):
They did a great job at developing a world, you knows,
from an intellectual property standpoint, that developed a lot of
strong assets.
Speaker 1 (39:09):
M hm.
Speaker 3 (39:10):
So yeah, Shrek is something that's known globally. If I
have a Shrek in my catalog, I'm happy.
Speaker 2 (39:18):
Then you're reach. That's a black buster move.
Speaker 1 (39:23):
I love it. Just threw me for a loop. I wasn't.
Speaker 2 (39:27):
Nobody ever expects it. But it's a classic. I love it.
I love that.
Speaker 1 (39:33):
Love that. Okay, name a Jamaican woman who has impacted
your life? So like mom, aunt, grandmother.
Speaker 2 (39:41):
I think you're going to say, Michelle Williams. My mom.
Speaker 3 (39:45):
Oh, definitely has impacted and continues to impact both my
life from my brother's life. You know, she's a definition
of selfless and the definition of you know, and you know,
forever love. You know, her love is forever. And I
(40:09):
appreciate it all the time, you know, from the simple
things of you know, making a breakfast, yeah, staying up
late hours while I'm writing my scripts, you know, like
a superwoman.
Speaker 1 (40:24):
And I love that.
Speaker 2 (40:26):
Mom.
Speaker 3 (40:27):
If you're listening, I love you. Thank you so much
for everything.
Speaker 1 (40:31):
Oh gosh, man, I love that. That's so beautiful, big
up empty. That's nice, all right? And what is I'm saying?
And but I have a few more. What is one
Jamaican dish you could eat every day?
Speaker 3 (40:49):
Oh?
Speaker 2 (40:50):
Oxtail o still nice?
Speaker 1 (40:53):
Okay, So now I have to ask the question. Rice
and peas are white? Rice?
Speaker 2 (40:58):
Rice? And peas.
Speaker 1 (41:00):
Good answer, just check in, just take your jommaicon card,
just checking No, no, I'm you're sife all right? Who
is an artist or maybe which artist would you want
to collaborate with? Maybe in a film or I don't know, musically,
(41:22):
just collaborate with.
Speaker 3 (41:24):
Yeah, well if I could, I would love to collaborate
with Bob Marley. I think his music is so poetic
and so visual. You know, he can go through four
lines in a verse and you know, take us through,
you know, a few months of his life.
Speaker 1 (41:45):
You know, Yeah, very true.
Speaker 3 (41:47):
I definitely study his music and his lyrics, particularly because
of how how he has the balance of simplicity but
also complexity. Ye know, he's talking about very deep, very
serious topics, but does it in a catch away that
people from all over the world can understand and relate to. So,
(42:13):
you know, at some point I would love to be
able to do something with Bob Miley's music or with
his estate, if it's somebody who's living. The first person
that came to mind is Chronics. He just dropped his
album and it's a great album.
Speaker 1 (42:34):
Is like I can't stop playing my favorite one so far.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
Yeah, great song. You know, I love that old sound.
Speaker 3 (42:43):
I love, you know, I love you know, time pieces,
I love drama history, you know. So that sound he's
been able to capture in this new album particularly, it's
something that I love, you know.
Speaker 1 (42:57):
Yeah, Oh that would be amazing. I'm sure those both
of those things will happen for sure.
Speaker 2 (43:02):
Yeah, yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1 (43:04):
Okay, two more.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
Sure.
Speaker 1 (43:06):
What is a quote or philosophy that you well, I
guess that stands out to you from your grandmother?
Speaker 2 (43:16):
Okay, well, I just left my grandma's house.
Speaker 3 (43:20):
Mom, she's she's one hundred years old. My gosh, Yeah,
she's one hundred years old, and she you know, she
lives by the phrase blessed and highly favored.
Speaker 2 (43:37):
You know.
Speaker 3 (43:37):
So that's actually something that I would like to turn
into a movie at some point. Okay, you know, I
just think it's a great phrase, you know, to be
blessed and to be highly favored. It's a great reminder
of who we are and how the Lord sees us
(43:59):
and how the Lord blessed us.
Speaker 1 (44:00):
You know, that's so beautiful. Yes, wow, And all coincidentally,
you just left her house.
Speaker 2 (44:06):
Yeah, I just left.
Speaker 3 (44:08):
That's the last thing I remember blessed than her favorite
she's one hundred years old and she truly is blessed
than her favor.
Speaker 1 (44:16):
Wow, that's so beautiful. Okay, And for the final question,
if you if your life had a closing credits scene,
what song would play? And why?
Speaker 3 (44:30):
Mmm?
Speaker 2 (44:32):
What song? That's tough.
Speaker 3 (44:37):
I've been when I've been begin to jazz lately. Okay,
but I mean Bob is just the general, so maybe
I'd have to go for Bob tune.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I don't know what song.
Speaker 3 (44:52):
This is tough because you know I love music, you know,
and so I wanted to be the right song.
Speaker 1 (44:59):
No, I understand. Take your time. It's an important decision.
What if somebody hears this and says, this is a
song we're gonna.
Speaker 3 (45:06):
Use exactly, exactly exactly, So make sure you listening, listen,
choose any song.
Speaker 1 (45:18):
Apt choose the right song. No pressure, though, right, No pressure.
I can't believe I sumped you. I've You've been so
good answering every single question. You'll never forget me because
you'll be like, this is the one person that stopped
(45:40):
me with a question.
Speaker 3 (45:41):
Yeah, okay, well well we could do Bob Manley, give
thanks some praises.
Speaker 1 (45:51):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (45:51):
It's an awful song.
Speaker 3 (45:53):
It's a song I usually play in the morning, particularly
when I have a big day head, and it's you know,
it's a song about prayer and about giving thanks and
being grateful, and I think that would that would be
my stance at the end of the road, when the
(46:14):
end credits are going up. I would be very grateful
and very grateful now. So I can only imagine how
much more grateful that will be when my time comes.
So let's say Bob my Ley gigs thanks and praises.
People can dance, people can wear nice, you know, colorful clothing,
and they can have a true celebration.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
I love that. See that wasn't that hard. Just took
you a few minutes.
Speaker 2 (46:42):
Yes, yes, and it's funny.
Speaker 1 (46:43):
You're probably going to come out for this and be like, nah,
I should have picked this other.
Speaker 3 (46:47):
Song that would be the first song. But there will
be a whole album and a playlist after that.
Speaker 1 (46:55):
Yes, there's gonna be a lot of credits. So yeah,
we're probably gonna need a new song. I would say
this is a segment where I do my thank you
and I tell people, don't bother to crying because me
easy for cry. Just try hold it like a g
you know, but JP, I want to thank you so much,
(47:19):
not just for your time, but for your vision. In
your hands, the camera isn't just a tool, as you've explained,
it's a vessel, and through it you've given light to
stories that might have been forgotten and faces that deserve
to be seen. I think that your work reminds us
that cinema it isn't just about entertainment. It's about empathy,
(47:41):
which I think is lost sometimes and it's really important.
And it's about creating space for people to see themselves
reflected in all their humanity. And you've carried the spirit
of Jamaica onto global screens, not as a stereotype which
we often see, but as truth with death, dignity and rhythm.
(48:02):
And I also actually want to take a moment to
reflect on something that you shared about bringing your grandmother
to your first film festival.
Speaker 2 (48:12):
I believe yeah.
Speaker 1 (48:13):
So I think just hearing you talk and thinking about that,
that there's something poetic about that moment, right, So, like
two generations sitting side by side and watching your story,
her story flicker across the screen, and that image that
captures everything that this conversation has been about, which I
think is legacy. Love and really the overall power of representation,
(48:39):
because on that day you likely gave her not just
pride to see her grandson, you know, achieving his dreams,
but you gave her proof that the story she's lived,
the language she spoke, the people she knew, all mattered
enough to be seen by the world. And to me,
that's the heart of storytelling, right, like turning memory into
(49:01):
meaning and meaning into something that's lasting. And what you've
built and what your grandmother was able to witness, especially
her being one hundred years old, which is amazing, is
more than a film career. It's a continuation of lineage.
It's a way of saying we were here and we
still are here. So thank you, JP for being more
(49:23):
than a filmmaker. Thank you for being an archivist of emotion,
a custodian of culture, and a reminder that the most
powerful art is born not from ambition but from love.
And I think that you've shown that legacy isn't only
what we create, it's who we honor along the way.
So yeah, thanks for coming to talk to things with me.
Speaker 3 (49:45):
Thank you so much. It does that real pleasure talking
with you. I look forward to coming back. Yes, open
in a few months. Yes we can talk more things.
Speaker 1 (49:59):
Yes, yes, definitely for sure, for sure. I can't wait
to have you back.
Speaker 2 (50:06):
M hm m hm
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