[xml][/xml]
The Bahamas Weekly Facebook The Bahamas Weekly Twitter
Arts & Culture Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM


Behind the scenes on Bahamian documentary, "On the Wings of Men" with Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson
By Calvin Harris
Sep 1, 2010 - 1:15:49 AM

Email this article
 Mobile friendly page

Allyson-Maynard-Gibson-ANIM.gif
SLIDE SHOW: Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson of The Bahamas being interviewed for "Pindling: On the Wings of Men".

Bahamian film maker, Calvin Harris is nearing completion of his documentary film called "On the Wings of Men" about the Life & Times of the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling.

In this film he interviews many political figures from The Bahamas. Enclosed are photos and excerpts of his interview with
Senator Allyson Maynard Gibson of The Bahamas.

Harris' film is set to be released in late 2010. Interviews for the film were conducted in Nassau, Bahamas.

Allyson Maynard-Gibson was born January11th, 1957. He parents were the late Sir Clement T Maynard and Lady Zoe Maynard. She obtained her bachelors’ degree from Barry University in Miami, Florida, and then went aboard to continue her studies in London, England.  After graduating with a degree in Economics & Political Science, she returned to the Bahamas and was called to the Bar in 1980.

Movie Quote: “When I came back home from law school working aboard in the UK, Sir Lynden encouraged me, I can speak to it personally, and other professionals can speak to it as well. To get involved in politics, he felt it was very important for those who had a voice, for those who had a commitment to our country to get involved. He in no way ran away from or shifted away from talent and I’m humble to think that he saw a little bit of talent in me and I’m grateful for it frankly”.

The Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson is married to Maxwell E. Gibson and they have two children.

Movie Quote: “Sir Lynden had a tremendous love for his country, a tremendous vision for what the Bahamas could be and was just able to make everything bigger than life almost. It was really tremendous. A great person for bringing together different talent, very different talent, and molding it to enable the tremendous nation you see here today”.

The Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.

See also:
Behind the scenes on Bahamian documentary, "On the Wings of Men" with the Rt Hon Perry Christie


FILM SYNOPSIS: "On the Wings of Men" is about the Life & Times of the late Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling; first ever Prime Minister of the Bahamas. 

Sir Lynden was born in Nassau, Bahamas in 1930. He was the only child to Viola & Arnold Pindling. His father was a policeman who originated from Jamaica. His parents, wanting the best education for their son, dedicated all of their resources to send him to England for a college education. Sir Lynden didn’t disappoint them, returning home in 1952 with his Law Degree from the University of London, 

He became a lawyer, and was later called to the Bahamas Bar in June 1953. Wanting to see a change in the political landscape in the Bahamas, Sir Lynden decided to join an up and coming political group known as the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), headed by then leader and founder; H.M Taylor. Not satisfied with the direction of the party, Sir Lynden was eventually elected leader of the PLP in 1956.  

His ultimate goal, along with the other members of the PLP, was to fight for equal rights for every Bahamian, especially the black majority. They constantly appealed to the British Parliament to revise the Constitution so that all adults regardless of race or wealth would have an equal opportunity to vote towards the political future of the country. Towards this goal, Pindling and the PLP fought an uphill battle against the white British Oligarchy of White Merchants ruling the country at that time. A group known as the Bay Street Boys.  

Pindling, in 1956 married a light skinned island girl from Andros named Marguerite McKenzie. They eventually had four children; Obi, Leslie, Monique, & Michelle. 

Pindling showed his political talent by bringing the world’s attention to the black man’s plight. With the support from such notable black leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States; Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., & the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Pindling continued his antics until he wore down the White Oligarchy and eventually lead the PLP to a landslide victory January 10th, 1967. 

With the title of Premier (1967-1969), Pindling eventually became Prime Minister (1969 -1992) of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He successfully led the country to Independence from England July 10th, 1973.  

In 1983, Prime Minister, Lynden Pindling became The Right Honorable Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, after being knighted by Queen.   

Pindling’s life wasn’t without controversy. He faced two major hurdles in the 1980's. First, his decision, along with then Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, to push the political process forward which lead to the release of prisoner Nelson Mandela, who eventually became President of South Africa. To show his appreciation, Nelson Mandela first flight from prison was to the Bahamas, to personally thank his good friend, a fellow student at the University of London in the 1950's, Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling. 

His second major obstacle was being accused as a drug conspirator by the United States Government. After a year long Royal Commission of Inquiry in 1984, Pindling was cleared of any and all charges. Though his reputation challenged, Pindling still lead the PLP to another election victory in 1987. This would be his last term as reining Prime Minister. He would eventually serve 5 consecutive terms (25 years), the longest only behind Cuba’s Fidel Castro.  

In the 1992, Pindling & PLP was defeated by a former protégée of Pindling; The Right Honorable Hubert Ingraham and the Free National Movement (FNM).  

Before retiring from politics in 1997, Pindling faced his third Commission of Inquiry. This time regarding the Hotel Corporation. Defended by The Right Honorable Perry Christie, another protégée of Pindling’s, he was again cleared of all charges.  

Diagnosed with prostate Cancer, Pindling eventually died August, 26th 2000. He was laid to rest in September 4th, 2000.  

Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, who many Bahamians referred to as “ Black Moses”, will forever be remembered as man, though faced with many controversies, still carries the mantle “ Father of the Nation”.


ABOUT CALVIN HARRIS:

Calvin Dwight Harris was born on the sunny Caribbean island of New Providence, which is among the seven hundred islands and chains that make up the Bahamas. In 1988, at the age of 18, Calvin left home on a track and field scholarship to attend Murray State University. After transferring to the University of Idaho in 1990, Calvin graduated with an Engineering Degree in 1994 and soon afterward moved to Denver, Colorado. His love for watching movies and a passion to one day make a difference in the film industry is what inspired Calvin to become a film maker.

With an inspired vision, Calvin founded Harris Entertainment in the spring of 2004. The first film released under the Harris Entertainment banner was; “The Great Recession”. This film  explores the history of America’s Economic woes from the Great Depression to the current financial meltdown facing the United States. Many of the country’s best economist are calling this current storm; “The Great Recession”. This film, completed in the spring of 2010, is currently out to several distributors in the United States.

Calvin’s second feature length film; “On the Wings of Men”, is about the Life & Times of the first ever Prime Minister of the Bahamas; Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling and his fight against US foreign policies in the1980's.  This film is currently in post production with an anticipated release date of December, 2010.

Calvin has also co-written several screenplays including “Cable Cal Center” and “Black Moses”. “Cable Call Center” is about a group of employees who band together to blackmail the Vice President of Cable World into a one year severance package before their jobs are outsourced to a company in India.  

“Black Moses” is the narrative script that was developed about the Life of Sir Lynden. Calvin hopes to use the projected success of the feature length documentary film about Sir Lynden’s life; “On the Wings of Men”, as a vehicle to secure funding to eventually bring this film “Black Moses” to the Big Screen.



Bookmark and Share




© Copyright 2010 by thebahamasweekly.com

Top of Page

Receive our Top Stories



Preview | Powered by CommandBlast

Arts & Culture
Latest Headlines
Award-Winning Photographer Eric Rose presented a printed canvas of 'The Hermitage' to the PM Davis
Minister Bowleg Opens “Double Dutch 8” and “Evolution of the Arc” NAGB Exhibitions
Unbox Bahamian Artistry and Live Your Best 'LifestIsle'
Students display culinary skill and creativity in Bahamas Young Chef Competition
'Build Your Best Life' book presented to Willa Mae Pratt and Simpson Penn centres