BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, December 12, 2022 (SKNIS) – MSR Media SKN, which has so far, a line-up of eight movies already filmed in St. Kitts and Nevis and another one currently being shot in Nevis, has helped to propel St. Kitts and Nevis into the top destinations for filmmaking in the Caribbean.
Four of the movies have already been released—Assailant, Christmas in the Caribbean, Christmas in Paradise, and A Week in Paradise. In 2023, One Year Off, Us or Them, The Island, and Black Noise are scheduled to be released. Strictly Confidential is presently being shot in Nevis and is directed by Damian Hurley, the son of internationally known British actress Elizabeth Hurley. Additionally, three other films First Law, Fast Sea, and Paradise Peak are in the preparation stages to be produced in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2023.
Christmas in the Caribbean premiered on Sunday (December 11) evening at the Caribbean Cinemas in St. Kitts. Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew and other Cabinet members, as well as specially invited guests, attended the movie premiere and were thrilled.
At a media briefing before the showing of the movie, Mr. Philippe Martinez, Chief Producer at MSR Media SKN, said their work in St. Kitts and Nevis over nearly two years has been successful.
He said, “MSR Media arrived 22 months ago in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. In 22 months, we have produced nine films, two short films which have made this country already the third destination for film in the Caribbean.”
Mr. Martinez added, “Last week I got a call from one of the biggest film creators and directors on the planet who has created one of the biggest franchises on the planet. And he called me and said ‘Philippe I have to tell you, I’ve been rating for the last year what you guys are doing in St. Kitts and Nevis. It has inspired me, and I wrote a script for St. Kitts, do you mind if I come to see you? I would love for you to produce it over there.”
“That means what we have done with our team – our team in Nevis, our team in St. Kitts – has already attracted a studio in Hollywood who understands that now this country is a major player in the business of producing movies,” Mr. Martinez added.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew expressed appreciation on his behalf and that of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis to Mr. Martinez and his entire team from MSR Media SKN for delivering on the promise of making the Federation a true film destination.
The Prime Minister said, “I want to thank Philippe for really coming through on what we had discussed some time before that St. Kitts and Nevis must become part of the film industry, and right on these two beautiful islands we will develop a movie industry as well. And so, he has embarked, and he has delivered and continues to deliver, and today we have this great movie, Christmas in the Caribbean.”
It was noted during Sunday’s event that MSR Media SKN will officially set up an office here in St. Kitts this week. Prime Minister Dr. Drew explained how this will benefit citizens and residents here, particularly creatives.
“What is also important, and I think it is part of his business model, is that a lot of the persons who work on the sets are actually from the Federation. They have been trained, so he does not have to bring those people into St. Kitts and Nevis, and the other thing that we discussed is that we are going to put a course in the CFBC [Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College] where he’s going to help us with the curriculum so that our young people will learn the different aspects of movie making and they will, in turn, be employed in the industry that we wish to develop,” the Honourable Prime Minister said.
Christmas in the Caribbean was filmed almost exclusively at Kittitian Hill Resort, located in the hills of Belle Mont Farm in St. Paul’s.
The romantic comedy stars British actress Elizabeth Hurley, Caroline Quentin, Nathalie Cox and Edoardo Costa.
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