Good evening kittens!
My sailor and I jumped into an Uber at 5:30pm and headed into the city from Queens, NY to join those lucky enough to have merited an invitation to the only movie of its kind – BAZODEE being held at The PlayStation Theater.
Walking toward 8th Avenue, the excitement in me started to build. Who would attend? What would they be wearing? What would the tone and vibe of the crowd feel like?
As we came closer we noticed glamorously dressed ladies and gents clustering in small groups around the outside of the theater. We asked one of the gents who looked to be working the security circuit, “pardonez moi but could you point us in the direction of the line for people who are on the list?” He gave us easy directions and we joined a line. Turned out it was the wrong line as my sailor suspected but it only delayed us for ten minutes. A few minutes later we spotted Gitesh Pandaya, who gladly slapped on our VIP green wrist bands, sent us through security where we were further directed downstairs to the Press VIP area properly adjacent to a beautifully stocked bar where the tenders – tended! After I wet my palette the magic began.
Some of the stars of the film were giving out small interviews, taking glamour shots and mingling with the crowd. If one panned the camera, excited faces would be the focus in every corner of the room.
My sailor and I, sipped our drink, smiling in anticipation of the treat ahead.
Once I warmed up, and after a pep talk from my hubby who insisted that I stop waiting for an intro, gather up my courage, act like the writer that I am and start talking to the actors, things got interesting. The stars were not only stunning in person but incredibly kind and gracious. They stopped to take pictures, loved the fact that I, and many other writers/bloggers/press were present to cover the groundbreaking event! Staz Nair could barely contain his enthusiasm as he shared how wonderful it was to be a part of the first West Indian – (Trinidadian in particular) film to date. Valmike Rampersad and his lovely companion took a moment to entertain my click, proving that the antagonist of the film can also be a delight!
Shortly thereafter, doors to the far left opened as an announcement through the PA system urged us to enter and take our seats in the theater.
Once the majority were seated and sated, Susanne Bohnet, the producer of Bazodee, took her place on stage and began to reveal her love of the West Indies. Somewhere in the beginning of her speech she shared a personal story about her young daughter mentioning to her as they were driving, “mommy if the police stop me, I’m going to tell them that I’m White because if I tell them that I am Black, they will shoot me.” Now don’t let that mislead you into believing that she would get into a political debate about Black Lives Matter, though nothing would please me more. No, she did not. However it did lend to the theme at the very heart of this movie and music magically woven throughout; love and unity.
