Dominica, among other Caribbean countries, will be featured in a documentary created by famous filmmaker Patrick Baucelin dubbed: ‘A Tan Lontan’ (In the past).
The series was partnered with Discover Dominica Authority.
The film is about Life in the West Indies from 1860 to 1960; a century told by great reconstruction that makes this documentary an essential and fascinating film. Some other countries that will be shown include Guadeloupe, Martinique, Barbados, St.Croix, and Cuba.
Patrick Baucelin was born in Fort-de-France, Martinique, in 1957. His career represents Caribbean cinema today through many international festivals.
According to his page, PatrickBaucelin.com, in 1981 he set up his production studio, Studio Pat. First specializing in photography, he quickly became interested in cinema and for several years, the director worked on commission and produced numerous promotional, institutional, and advertising films.
In 1987, on the occasion of the third International Film and Medical Book Festival in Paris, he won his first international award: the “Golden Caduceus”.
For twenty years, Patrick Baucelin has been producing his own documentaries with a common point to enhance the history, culture, and heritage of Martinique and more broadly of the Caribbean.
His other films include ‘Caribbean Island Cities’, ‘The Secrets Of The Fortresses Of The Caribbean’ and ‘At The Time Of Isles In Sucre’.
He has won over 50 international awards for his work.
‘A Tan Lontan’ is 1hr 30 minutes long and highlights 100 years of the past in the Caribbean. For the moment the film is only available on DVD, which may be purchased for 20 USD, but will be streamed online in the future.
The production took three years to bring to fruition and features 150 actors/actresses. It reportedly cost more than 200,000 EUR to produce.
American actor Morgan Freeman does voice-over in the film.
DDA, through the film office, has plans to host a screening at a later date for the public in partnership with Alliance Francaise or UWI. It will be in French however English subtitles will be available.
This film and his other documentaries are available on his website for purchase: www.patrickbaucelin.com
