Filmed in various locations in and around the island, Jafaican is UK-based director, Fredi Nwaka’s first commercial project filming in the Caribbean. The Gleaner spoke exclusively to the director and film’s stars at its star-studded VIP screening on Tuesday night.
The film follows the travails of Gary Buckle, a white petty criminal, who must come up with a significant sum in order to save his family and himself from impending physical doom.
The search for financial salvation leads him to Jamaica where the story unfolds. The project features cameos from reggae royalty Sizzla and icon Oliver Samuels. That said, the comedy-drama has drawn controversy for its reliance on cultural stereotypes and cultural misappropriation.
Of such claims, Nwaka remains bullish, “You need to watch the film for yourself. It’s a fun, high-octane film that everyone will enjoy.”
As for future filming on the island, he continued: “We’re working on coming back to Jamaica for sure. There’s part two of this current movie for sure and other projects that are in pre-production,” he concluded.
“I loved every minute of being in Jamaica as it was on my bucket list,” said the film’s protagonist and UK ‘90s pop superstar, Australian-born Peter Andre, who plays Gary Buckle.
“I’d never been to the island before and when Fredi said that it’s set in Jamaica, I was excited. I asked him, ‘Will we be filming in Jamaica and will I get to meet Oliver Samuels and Sizzla?’ He said, ‘Yes!’ I was in from then but what blew me away more than anything was the delicious food we ate daily.”
Jafaican is on general nationwide UK release.
Toussaint Davy is the former editor of Touch Magazine. His published work, features and credits include BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, The Power List, The Independent, MOBO Magazine, Blues & Soul, The Mirror, The Sun, BBC News, MTV Base and various undisclosed ghostwritten projects.
