‘Carnival’ in Mucurapo tomorrow

Machel Montano and Xtatik has been hired for the scene, and will be joined by some 200 revellers.

Dave Cabral, president of Galt Alliance Films, proclaimed that the movie project is 100 percent local. And though a foreign lead cast and a US-based film crew had been hired, the fact that the film has been totally financed locally means that profits from the venture will return to Trinidad.

Eighty-five percent of the cast and 60 percent of the film crew are Trinidad and Tobago nationals.

Principal financier and executive producer of the movie is Add Venture Capital Fund Ltd (AVCFL), a subsidiary of Clico Investment Bank.

Andre Powder, assistant vice-president of risk management and research at the company, said his business was about providing equity financing for new and existing small companies. Since its creation in 1997, AVCFL has made significant investments in various sectors, including the media, manufacturing, tourism, security services and now Backlash. He expressed confidence that the movie would bring returns to the shareholders and, at the same time, contribute to the film-making industry in TT.

Speaking of Tidco’s involvement in the project was acting president Garvin Francis-Lau, who said: "Through this film, Tidco will be furthering its mandate to market what we refer to as Brand TT. The cast contracted will, through its presence here, attract the international media with an expected flow of US and European public relations photographers and journalists following the production around Trinidad."

Francis-Lau added that the country could also expect exposure in the Hollywood industry as a film location, and indirect advertising of TT through the exposure of its Carnival and different sites and attractions in the movie. He appealed to the general public to allow the crew to make progress with the production with minimum interruption.

Carla Foderingham, manager of the Tidco film unit, also stated that the unit, and by extension the Government, is in support of the production as it provides another opportunity to showcase Trinidad and Tobago as a film location to the world.

The film’s cast include Danielle Burgio (Matrix and CSI Miami), ultimate fighting champions Bas Rutten (Eliminator and The Vault), Ken Shamrock, Lauren Kim and newcomer (former Arnold Classic winner) Kevin Levrone.

Producer Joseph will also make an appearance in the film.

Backlash’s other sponsors are Blue Waters, Tidco, Venture Capital Incentive Programme, Shakers, MovieTowne, Dynamic Party Rentals and West Point Hotel.