Tuesday Feb. 7, 2017: THE WIND THAT BLOWS
The Wind That Blows poster
7:30pm / St. John School of the Arts / $5 donation
Raffle prizes donated by: Caravan Gallery & St. John Hardware
60-minute documentary
Filmmaker TOM WESTON will be present for discussion
In the mid-19th century, Yankee whalers enlisted seamen from such places as tiny Bequia in the Grenadine islands of the British West Indies. One of those men purchased two whaleboats from the Yankees and Bequia’s history of whaling began. To the consternation of many, Bequia’s whalers continue the tradition to this day. The Wind That Blows affectionately examines the lives of this unique group. These men, whose lives are entwined with nature, seek sustenance for their families and neighbors but, in the process, bestow something else: identity. Production of this award-winning documentary began in 1989 and continued through 2013. During that time, tourism established itself as Bequia’s prime industry, luring people away from the trades and traditions of the past. Hotels, new roads, an airport, and other improvements transformed Bequia’s appearance… and its soul. Amidst the clamor of globalization, The Wind That Blows gives a deserved voice to a humble community on a tiny island clinging to a proud past.
DIRECTOR TOM WESTON:
Tom is a New York based cinematographer having worked on a wide variety of productions in his 35-year career from Woody Allen’s “Stardust Memories” as camera assistant to camera operator on Craig Brewers indie, “Hustle and Flow”.
In recent years, he served as director of photography of “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and CBS’s “A Gifted Man.” Other credits include camera operator and Second Unit director of photography on “Sex and the City”, “The Big C”, “The Black List” and numerous feature films. Tom also served two terms as National Vice President of the International Cinematographers Guild.
Weston discovered the story of the whalers of Bequia in 1988 while on holiday. His vacation spun into a life altering 20-year journey to tell the small Caribbean island’s story.“Sometimes we are drawn to a story that is so filled with irony, ambiguity, beauty, dismay and truth that it compels us to take a drastic departure from our normal lives and try to capture a fleeting moment. In hindsight it may seem reckless, even foolish. So be it. This movie is my labor of love.”– Tom Weston
The raffle for this screening is being donated by Caravan Gallery & St. John Hardware in Cruz Bay. $5 suggested donation / $5 raffle ticket.
This screening is being co-sponsored by CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD) the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and is the reference point for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. CTWD supports community organizations and partnerships with not-for-profit organizations and charitable entities in an attempt to bring the Film Caribbean brand to communities who may not be able to see them otherwise.