A PROJECT to transform the play `Against All Odds’ into a movie for television, was launched Friday at the Sidewalk Café on Middle Street.
The play was written by Desiree Edgill for the observation of World AIDS Day, December last.
The movie, which depicts the stigma and discrimination faced by a young University of Guyana (UG) student after she becomes infected with the HIV virus, should be released in June.
The launching of the $3.5 million project, funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), coincided with the first set of filming at the same location.
When the play was staged at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on December 1, 2003, it was brought to an abrupt halt by Edgill because of unruly crowd behaviour.
However, it was presented at a Gala Ball held by Lifeline Counselling, and representatives of the US AID were so impressed that they requested a draft proposal for the resources needed to make it into a TV movie.
Edgill also pointed out that the movie is being produced on a low budget and, as a result, all places used for filming, the hair and makeup, and the music, are free of cost.
The family scene will be done at the Family Health International, the funeral scene at Merriman’s Funeral Home, and the graduation scene at Le Meridien Pegasus. The music will be provided by local artistes including Margaret Vieira, Dominion Music and the group, Seven. Makeup is being done by Fantasy Nails.
Representative of Dominion Music, Mr. Ronald Desir who was present at the launching, told the Sunday Chronicle that the group of Guyanese has a special interest in gospel music.
Friday’s scene featured their song `Beyond their Limits’ which was written by Pastor Timothy King and sung by Sheila Harry.
Desir also said that the group has a policy to do anything with the public’s interest. The group is headquartered at the top of the Jelante building on Mandela Avenue.
Edgill said that the road to the launching was not all smooth sailing. Practice sessions were conducted at 5:00 hrs, since most of the cast were either working, or attending the University of Guyana (UG).
Persons were forced to take on additional roles and others had to switch theirs, since persons opted to drop out at the last minute. They were also faced with the problem of persons turning up late for rehearsals.
However, she said that the biggest obstacle faced by the team was the complete switching of the role for the lead female.
“The person who did it in the stage production was unable to get time off from her job to do this production, she explained
Edgill told the media that in response to a letter which was sent to the young lady’s place of employment, she received a very “rude’ one in return.
According to her, no reason was even given why the young lady was refused time off.
According to lead female, Nikosa Stewart, who plays Natalie - an HIV-infected person - throughout the movie, she deals with discrimination and stigma attached because of her condition.
The 20-year-old told this newspaper that the movie is about “conquering all” since Natalie still ends up being the valedictorian when she graduated from the University.
However, her woes do not stop there. Her friends are constantly harassed by their supervisors at work and other peers at their place of “hang out”.
Twenty-one-year-old Romel Edmondson plays Winston in the movie. He is having fun and finds it very informative.
He said that throughout the movie, his main role is to give support and comfort to his friend.
The organisation would be distributing copies of the film to all television stations and as many interior locations as possible, so that persons living there can also be sensitised to the disease.
Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) including Lifeline Counselling, Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC), Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG), Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), Linden Care Foundation, Hope Foundation, Comforting Hearts and G plus are also involved in the production.