Mitzi and Howard Allen, the dynamic-duo of Antigua and Barbuda filmmaking and cinematic arts and production, the daring duo that helm HAMA Films, are celebrating their thirtieth year of marriage and filmaking with their fifth feature film "Deep Blue".
"Deep Blue" is described as "an environmental love story", in which Peter Williams plays the architect David Hamilton, the architect behind a proposed luxury resort who falls in love with an environmentalist hell-bent on stopping the project (wherein) the stage is set for a tragic showdown between the developers and the small fishing village community leaving their fragile marine environment hanging in the balance".
The couple's first feature, "The Sweetest Mango", in 2001, was the first film from Antigua and the Eastern Caribbean and was hailed, immediately, as a classic by critics. They quickly followed it up with "No Seed" the next year, "Diablesse" in 2005 and "The Skin" in 2011.
"Deep Blue" is HAMA's first feature film in over a decade.
The prominent, powerful power couple is pumped with pride with the project, especially the international roster of performers they put together, including Jamaican-Canadian Peter Williams, Canadian actress Kim Huffman, UK's Tom Pritchard, UK-Antiguan Julie Hewitt, Canadian-Trinidadian Rhoma Spencer and Canadian-Guyanese Ryan Singh.
some of the cast and crew of "Deep Blue"
According to producer Mitzi, "We decided to do this movie because over the years we have been doing a lot of documentaries on the environment and we believe that they preach to the converted. So Howard thought that if we tell this story in the form of a feature film, maybe people will start to take ownership some of the issues surrounding conservation and development, because its not all black and white".
Howard, the film's director and screenwriter concurs and adds that "the film's message aligns beautifully with the fight to ensure our environment is safe and healthy for future generations. It also asks us to consider what will we do for love. The story is near and dear to our hearts, as it resonates with people all over the world and right here at home".
"Deep Blue" had its debut in Montserrat, then Barbuda, before its gala screening in Antigua, followed by a special screening to one of the Rastafarian compound on the island.
"Deep Blue" will then embark on showings at film festivals around the world and will screen in Toronto, Canada in September 2023.
