St. John Virgin Islands Photo of the Day

Caneel Hill Viewing Tower
Caneel Hill Trail
St. John Virgin Islands

St. John Virgin Islands Press Release

St. John Film Society

Free Movie Night
February 22, 7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Meet the Film Makers

TAKING ROOT: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
by Lisa Merton and Alan Dater (80 min) 2008
The filmmakers will be present for questions and answers after the screening.

This award-winning documentary tells the dramatic story of Kenyan Nobel Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai whose simple act of planting trees grew into a nationwide movement to safeguard the environment, protect human rights and defend democracy – a movement for which this charismatic woman became an iconic inspiration.

Live Music on St. John Today, Wednesday, February 9

Castaways – Steve Sloan – 7:00 – 777-3316
Cinnamon Bay Camp – Daddy Chin and the Wailers – 6:00 -9:00 – 776-6330
High Tide – Chris Carsel- 7:00 – 10:00 – 714-6169
Island Blues – James Cobb – 7:00 – 10:00 – 776-6800
Larry’s Landing – James Jams – 10:00 – 693-8802
Sun Dog Cafe – Open Mic with Mark Wallace – 7:00 – 10:00 – 693 8340
Westin, Cruz Bay Prime – David Labs – 7:00 -10:00 – 693-800-

Weekly Music Schedule

HELLO FILM LOVERS!

Please join us tomorrow night, April 22, at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay for REEF FEST FILM NIGHT, featuring three different short films about protecting life in our Virgin Islands waters:

THE LEATHERBACKS OF S.T CROIX
a work in progress by Steve Simonsen

SEAS OF CHANGE: Spawning Aggregations in the Virgin Islands
by Tim Kelly and Perry Picker

AN UPDATE ON THE INVASIVE LIONFISH
presented by Karl Pytlik and Jessica Hornbeck

St. John Film is proud to partner with the National Park, the University of the Virgin Islands, and Friends of the Park to celebrate Earth Day and Reef Fest 2010.

Please visit  www.stjohnfilm.com, for more information about this special film night and other Reef Fest events.

Press Release: St. John Film Society

Hello Film Lovers!

Please join us this Thursday night at The Marketplace in Cruz Bay for a FREE FILM about the late Haitian radio broadcaster, Jean Léopold Dominique. In this important documentary by director Jonathan Demme, Dominique is remembered as a human rights activist, freedom fighter and national hero.

Today, almost ten years after his still-unsolved assassination, Dominique continues to inspire the battle for liberty and democracy in Haiti.

For more information visit www.stjohnfilm.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 18th
7:00 PM
MARKETPLACE, CRUZ BAY
Third Floor Courtyard

Donations will be accepted at the film on behalf of Haiti Community Support a Virgin Islands non profit organization. Learn about their heroic mission at: www.haitisupport.org

As always, the Film is Free!

Come early for better seating. Bring a seat cushion for comfort.

Greetings Film Lovers!

The St John Film Society will welcome visiting filmmaker Marta Bautis on Thursday, 7:00 PM, February 18th at the Marketplace in Cruz Bay.

With her award winning film. Sarayaku: Rivers of Corn, Ms. Bautis will introduce us to the inspiring Kichua women of the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Please save this date and stay tuned for more information to follow on this upcoming event.

Meet the Filmmaker!

Join us for a special pri fixe dinner at La Plancha del Mar before the film. Our friends at La Plancha will be serving a lovely three course meal, including wine tasting!
5:30 PM $35 p/p or $25 for Film Society Members (Memberships sold at the door) Seating will be limited so please make your reservation today!

777-7333

Press Release: St John Film Society

Hello Film Society Friends
We’re kicking off the Season with a Party at Sputnik. Please join us Tuesday night(December 1) for a free Film, Pot Luck Dinner & Sing-a-Long Good time!

Our featured film is a Reggae classic with a soundtrack so good, you might feel like dancing.

Please visit our website for details
www.stjohnfilm.com

The Harder They Come

Tuesday, December 1
6:00 pm
Sputnik, Coral Bay

Pot Luck From 6:00pm
Movie Starts at 7:00pm
Raffle Tickets for sale all night

Bring a dish to share and a comfy chair!

Prizes awarded after the show
As always the film is free

The following is a press release from the St John Film Society. I’d just like to add a little note of local interest about one of the film:

The Denis Bay Connection
Some illustrious St. Johnians have lived at Denis Bay either as renters or caretakers. St. Johnian, Thomas Thomas, served as one of the first caretakers and Robert and Nancy Gibney were among the first renters, having leased the property in 1947. The late Carl Frank, the founder of Holiday Homes was also a caretaker. He passed on the enviable job to Peter Griffith and family. One of the Griffith’s daughters, Melanie Griffith, who is one of the stars in the Milagro Beanfield Wars, spent much of her childhood at Denis Bay.
Excerpted from St. John Off The Beaten Track

Press Release:

St John Film Society Presents:

Free Movie

7:00 pm Tuesday, September 1
Sputnik Bar
Coral Bay, St John

“Milagro” is the Spanish word for “miracle”
THE MILAGRO BEANFIELD WAR
by Robert Redford (117 min) 1988
“Whimsical, yet credible”

This enjoyable tale of a small village’s fight over water rights is told with magical realism and humor. The residents of a small humble New Mexican agricultural community are threatened when big business appropriates their water rights to supply a posh housing development, thus depriving them of their one source of livelihood, crop raising. One man courageously stands up to fight the usurpers and causes division within the community.

Stars Ruben Blades, Sonia Braga, Melanie Griffith, Daniel Stern and John Heard.
” … a populist fable set in some beautiful New Mexican landscapes about one stubborn Chicano’s battle against an uncaring system.” The New York Times

Come early for Julietta’s famous rotis!

Seating is limited, so bring a beach chair if you’ll be late.  See You There!

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Allawees AfterSchool Program
(Safe, Drug & Violence-Free Youth Activity)

St John Youth, ages 10 – 15, are invited to enroll now in an exciting 10 week program, sponsored by the St John Community Foundation and the V.I. Department of Human Services.
Sept. 14 – Nov. 19 Tues/Thurs 3-5:30 p.m.

Parents, Sponsors & Community Volunteers:
For more info contact Paul Devine at St John Community Foundation
(340) 693-9410, E-mail: allawe@sjcf.org

ST. JOHN FILM SERIES
The ultimate goal of the St John Film Society is to establish an annual Independent Film Festival on St John. The monthly film series is our first effort toward that goal. We hope to bring attention to the rich cultural diversity and unique voice of the Virgin Islands as we share our stories through film. While our monthly screenings are free to the public, we welcome donations to help us achieve these goals. We are currently raising funds to purchase the following items: projector, screen, DVD deck.

Additionally, we are looking for volunteers to help us with the following tasks: tech support, graphic design, film recommendations.

Our free film series will continue at Sputnik on the first Tuesday of every month.

The presentation will begin at 7:00 PM. All are encouraged to bring a folding chair and arrive early for better seating.

Until further notice, Cruz Bay screenings will be held on special occasions, to be determined.

For more information, visit our website: www.stjohnfilm.com

FILM SCHEDULE
March 3rd – Global Economy and the Developing World
LIFE AND DEBT
A documentary by Stephanie Black; narrated by Jamaica Kincaid (80 min.)
“If you come to Jamaica as a tourist, this is what you will see…” This award winning feature length documentary, screened at the 2001 Human Rights Watch Film Festival, explores the complexity of international lending and free trade in the developing world. It focuses on individual Jamaicans who struggle to survive amid US and multinational economic agendas.

Jamaica Kincaid’s narration is based on her nonfiction book, “A Small Place.”

As the film begins, she contrasts what the visitor to Jamaica sees with what is kept hidden, and her voice is coolly alluring as she says, “When you sit down to eat your delicious meal, it’s better that you don’t know that most of what you are eating came off a ship from Miami.”

Michael Manley, Jamaica’s former prime minister, was interviewed for the film. He speaks openly yet sadly about mistakes his administration made that led to the devastation of the country’s economy. The film outlines the path of economic decline after the first International Money Fund loan that was meant to improve development yet resulted in increased debt and dependency. It visits the Free Trade Zone with its deplorable working conditions, where workers are paid US $30 a week.

“…the overall impression left by this devastating film is of the global economy as a dog-eat-dog world where the usual culprits, the United States and its multinational corporate clients, have the advantage.” – New York Times http://www.lifeanddebt.org

Followed By 10 Min Clip From Related Film
BANANA SPLIT
A lesson in the history of the banana: its production, transportation and challenges. This lighthearted film stands in stark contrast to the devastation of
Jamaica’s banana industry depicted in “Life and Debt.” http://www.shebafilms.com/films/banana_split.html

April 7th – A Celebration of Garifuna Culture
A GARIFUNA JOURNEY
A documentary by local filmmaker and St John Film Society founder Andrea Leland (46 min)

“…captures the triumph of spirit of the Garifuna people.”

This film, made with the cooperation and participation of the Garifuna people, celebrates the enduring spirit of the descendants of the African and Carib-Indian inhabitants of the Caribbean. The Garifunas’ determination to keep their culture alive led to their being exiled from St Vincent to Belize by the British at the end of the eighteenth century.

Told in the voices of the Garifuna themselves, the film is engaging and colorful. It is an encouraging testament to a society’s ability to keep its music and spirituality alive amid the threats of the encroaching bigger world.

“…a vital step in archiving the rich culture and fascinating trajectory of the Garifuna of Belize. The video is a prime model for the use of the moving image
in preserving living culture.” – Huntington International Independent Film Festival

www.newday.com/films/GarifunaJourney.html

Followed By Clip From Related Film
PLAY, JANKUNÚ PLAY

A documentary by Oliver N Greene, Jr. (46 min)
A look at the Garifuna wanaragua ritual, known as Jankunú. The dances, with their distinctive costumes and music, are a blend of African, European, Arawak

and Carib traditions. Includes interviews with Garifuna singers, drummers and dancers who echo the value of the ritual to their culture.

www.der.org/films/play-jankunu-play.html

The St. John Film Society’s last presentation, “Africa Unite,” at Sputnik in Coral Bay was a resounding success. People came from all over, Coral Bay, Cruz Bay and even St. Thomas. It was SRO (Standing Room Only) all chairs filled, some sat on the floor or on top of tables, others stood inside and other outside looking in through the open louvers. It was free, it was fun, it was cool and it was THE place to be. It looks like this group will establish themselves on St. John and help fulfill the islands thirst for good entertainment. I say, “Good T’ing!!!”

Here’s their Press Release:

!!! Free Movie !!!

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24th
7:00 PM
PASTORY GARDENS

St John Film Society Presents:

SPIRIT OF THE MARATHON

A documentary by Mark Johnathan Harris, Jon Dunham and Gwendolen Twist (102 min.) The first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. As six unique stories unfold, each runner prepares for and ultimately faces the challenge of the Chicago Marathon. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph, a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike. www.marathonmovie.com

Also – 8 Tuff Miles Pre-show Rally!!!

Mo Chabuz from Skinny Legs will present a short preview of his 8 Tuff Miles film-in-progress.
Jeremy Zuber, five time winner of the 8 Tuff Miles will share some words of inspiration.
Sherri Theberge, director of Healing Together, will introduce St. John’s new cancer support group and invite the community to run for the cause.
Peter Alter, 8 Tuff Miles race director, will answer questions after the film.

Come early for dinner! Stay after to discuss the film!
For more info contact Rea: (340) 715-9899
www.stjohnfilm.com

Who they are:

St John Film Society

St. John Film Society is comprised of a small group of local volunteers. Our mission is to inspire appreciation for the history, culture and oceanic environment of our US Virgin Islands by establishing a free monthly film series open to and for the benefit of our community. We will present high quality fiction and non-fiction independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean. Our intent is to increase cross-cultural awareness of the many communities throughout the Virgin Islands and beyond. Each month we will invite a local Virgin Island filmmaker, video installation artist or visual artist to present their work prior to the feature film presentation. Our goal is to develop public awareness of the talented individuals in our own community, by creating an environment in which filmmakers / artists introduce and discuss their work and their artistic process with audiences of all ages. We invite film enthusiasts to come and enjoy the films and help plan monthly programs. We also invite filmmakers / artists to submit their work for consideration. Email your suggestions to stjviff@gmail.com or submit preview DVD’s to:
St. John Film Society
5000 Estate Enighed PMB 98
St. John, USVI 00830

Future Goals:

The ultimate goal of the Film Society is to establish an annual Independent Film Festival on St John. We hope to bring attention to the rich cultural diversity and unique voice of the Virgin Islands as we share our stories through film. While our monthly screenings are free to the public, we welcome donations to help us achieve these goals. Founding members:

Andrea E. Leland, artist and filmmaker, has produced and directed a number of award winning documentaries focusing on Caribbean and Latin American cultures. She is the co-founder of REELTIME, a highly successful monthly film series in the Chicago area, now in its 10th year. (www.reeltimeevanston.org) She received her MFA from the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.

Rea McQueen Roberts is a devoted film and music enthusiast. She has worked in the public relations and music industries, with emphasis on special event planning and fundraising. She has been involved with several of St John’s annual events, both as a participant and as a volunteer.

Martha Hills is a writer and an avid film enthusiast.

Coming Up

March 3rd:  The Developing World
Feature Presentation: Life and Debt – by Stephanie Black  A feature-length documentary that explores the complexity of international lending and free trade in the developing world.  http://www.lifeanddebt.org/

April 7th: A Celebration of Garifuna Culture
Opening Film: Play, Jankunú Play – A short film by Oliver N. Greene Jr., about the Garifuna Wanaragua Ritual of Belize, as expressed through music, dance, and costume.  http://www.der.org/films/play-jankunu-play.html Feature Presentation: The Garifuna Journey by local filmmaker and film society founder, Andrea Leland  http://www.newday.com/films/GarifunaJourney.html

Our film series will continue at Sputnik on the first Tuesday of every month. All are encouraged to bring a folding chair and arrive early for better seating. Until further notice, Cruz Bay screenings will be held on special occasions. Future Cruz Bay screenings to be announced. The calendar will be updated regularly on www.stjohnfilm.com.