What do the movie Splash, Silence of The Lambs, Jaws the Revenge and Gigli all have in common?
Scenes from these major motion pictures were all filmed on the beautiful shores of The Bahamas.
This year was of no exception with the making of the 50-million-dollar movie After the Sunset. In the film, Brett Ratner was most memorable, thanks to a sizeable junkanoo contingent under the guidance of Stan Burnside, Ministry of Tourism consultant, who performed in New York for the premiere of the high stakes action comedy.
In addition to making an appearance on network television, the group treated audiences the world over to a taste of Bahamian music and artistry.
The Bachelor
Taking a few step back to July, more than 20 million television viewers got a glimpse of The Bahamas’ picturesque beaches and fine cuisine when ABC’s The Bachelor aired. The show was taped in Kamalame Cay, Andros, and featured an exclusive date between Jesse Palmer (the Bachelor), an NFL Giant’s back-up quarterback, and one of the three remaining contestants.
What can we say, Jesse Palmer was certainly in the right place when he wanted to woo one of the lovely contestants of the show.
Other Projects
ABC was not the only network The Bahamas persuaded to film their television shows here. Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Harbour Island were the backdrop to VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown, hosted by Rachel Perry and taped in May.
Among other movies this year filmed in The Bahamas: Into The Blue; The $2 million film Captain, My Captain starring Morgan Freeman and Forest Whitaker; and “Three, ” directed by Diane Kirman, and filmed on Eleuthera.
Film Festival
And who could forget The First Bahamas International Film Festival held this December. The four-day event featured over 75 films from local and international film makers.
Leslie Vanderpool, Executive Director, spearheaded the event.
The festival, featured short films, documentaries, music videos and commercials from Bahamian writers, directors, producers, cinematographers and actors at Galleria Cinemas’ John F. Kennedy Drive location.
Overall, it is expected The Bahamas gained more than $20 million in revenue in 2004 in commercials, photo shoots, movies and television shows shot in the Bahama Islands.
What can we say-2004 was indeed a great year for film in The Bahamas!
Monique Forbes, The Nassau Guardian
December 31, 2004
