‘Raised by goats’ to France; scores first for Jamaican film industry | Entertainment

A film with a fascinating title — Raised by goats – now has the honor of being the first Jamaican project selected for the La Fabrique Cinéma de l’Institut Francais program held during the 77th staging of the prestigious Festival De Cannes in France.

Director of the project, Gibrey Allen and producer Nadean Rawlins, also score another first. They are the first Jamaican filmmakers to pitch at that forum as part of the Marche du Film line-up, and the vibrant Rawlins is on cloud nine.

“I literally screamed and cheered!” Rawlins said, when asked about her initial reaction upon hearing the news. “It has always been a dream to attend the Cannes Film Festival and what better way than with our project that we are so passionate about?”

Memories of the origins of Raised by goatstold Rawlins that she and Allen met at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland in 2022, when they were both participating in the Open Doors program.

“I was in the Producers’ Hub and he was in the Directors’ Club. We were both Jamaican with a common goal and interest and so we decided (to work together) on a project and that was the birth of Raised by goats,” she explained.

The film was inspired by the director’s mother and this is the backstory Gibrey shared The Sunday collector.

“My mother grew up between the late 1950s and early 1960s… during this profound time when Jamaica was moving toward independence. I found myself fascinated by this time through the eyes of a child, intrigued by the mix of insecurities and hopes it brought. Raised by her mother and aunts, strong female figures, my mother received guidance and support as they did their best to give her a good life. Despite facing hardships and trauma throughout her childhood, I am deeply impressed by her enduring joy and optimistic outlook on life. The absence of a father figure, a topic we often explore, continues to shape her worldview. These conversations, past and present, have become integral to shaping the film’s narrative framework,” said Gibrey.

Rawlins pointed out that the word that should receive the most emphasis in the title is “exalted,” which means “to elevate and/or cherish.”

She added: “The term GOAT symbolizes the ‘greatest of all time’ and is used to describe the four central female characters in the film, with Jamaica and its landscape serving as a prominent fifth character. Jamaica is depicted as a nurturing force, similar to a mother, providing sustenance and shelter. Additionally, goats play a prominent role throughout the film, with their bleating calls leading the main character, Trudy, to the Blue Mountains, where she finds herself and the means to heal. The life cycle of goats, from vulnerable children to protective mothers, serves as a metaphor for Trudy’s emotional journey from vulnerability to strength and purpose.”

In his summary, Raised by goats is described as “a compelling multi-generational drama set in 1960s Jamaica that explores the fate of Trudy, a young widow whose quest for renewal takes her to the mystical Blue Mountains. There, between legends and reality, she discovers truths that will change her life.”

Visibility

It was in February that Prime Minister Holness launched the multibillion-dollar Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI), which has been hailed as “a game-changer” in the industry and has been the focus of many conversations. Both Rawlins and Gibrey applauded it.

“Since the announcement of the JSDI, there has been a sense of optimism and excitement within the industry,” says Rawlins. “The JSDI will address the funding issues that have historically hindered local productions. Now, investments will be made in production funds, tax incentives and partnerships with international financiers, giving filmmakers the resources they need to bring their projects to life… and our participation in La Fabrique can help raise the profile of the Jamaican film industry increase investments and create more opportunities for local filmmakers.”

Allen stated: “Being selected for La Fabrique is a testament to the growing recognition of Jamaican cinema and the power of our stories to resonate with global audiences. I am eager to embark on this transformative journey to develop myself further Raised by goats and showcase the vibrant voice of Jamaican cinema on the world stage.”

This year’s selection includes 10 projects in development, including Raised by goats, representing diverse voices and stories from around the world. Gibrey and Rawlins will take the international stage for their project as part of a pitching session on May 16 in the official Marché du Film line-up. They leave the island tomorrow for France.

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