Kareem after a successful presentation.

Mercury Raising Production held a lavish dinner in Lyford Cay to update investors and entice potential investors, of the new movie DAYBREAK that Bahamian director Kareem Mortimer has “in the wings’.

The dinner was held at Garden House, lushly situated on the golf course of the exclusive residential community. “We are very fortunate to have such enthusiastic supporters” Kareem told us as he enjoyed a pre-dinner glass of wine. The Associate Producer, Nia Hatsopoulos was a most gracious hostess.

Tables were set around a dramatic black swimming pool, basked in candle light. The mood was set and the atmosphere was most definitely and appropriately dramatic.

Kareem Mortimer has enjoyed great success with the several short films that he has directed and produced in the past, namely: Float, I am not a Dummy, Freedom Documentary, Chartered Course, Eleuthera Adventure, Chance, and Shallow Water.

His film “Eleuthera Adventure”, a movie about Bahamian culture seen through the diverse eyes of the inhabitants of the island of Eleuthera won the Audience Award at the Bahamas International Film Festival 2006.It was both witty and touching at the same time. I saw it several times and every time I watched it I found something else, new and exciting to enjoy and learn from. “Eleuthera Adventure” was also extremely well received at the Berlin Film Festival and the Rome Film Festival in 2006. The Eleuthera Adventure is currently #11 on the Amazon.com sales chart in the Comedic Documentary category.

Float; a short movie about sexual bigotry set in an idyllic tropical setting. It is an insight into the hypocritical homophobic culture we all live in. It was nominated for the Iris Prize (the largest gay and lesbian film prize in the world), was a recipient of the HBO best short film prize, and has been licensed for broadcast in Italy, Japan and North American later this year. Float was screened at over 40 international film festivals and won five awards.

Mr. Claude Lussier, Mr. Llewyln Carthwright and Mrs. Patricia leonard

Kareem Mortimer is a young and innovative film maker, and best of all; he is home grown! Here we have a Bahamian, who is as talented as the foreigners that we look up to. It is exciting to watch one of our fellow Bahamians make international waves in the film world because of exceptional talent. Kareem has now set his sights higher with this latest project: DAYBREAK.

Kareem describes his new film as based on his award-winning short Float, “it is a multi-cultural-character-driven drama set in a homophobic Caribbean culture with a focus on its inhabitants both gay and straight.”

At the dinner Kareem told the guests that “The story of DAYBREAK is the story of two individuals who learn some universal life lessons in order to live a truly happy life. First, you have to risk speaking and acting on your true feelings. Secondly, in order to fulfill your potential, you have to risk emotional vulnerability”.

The story takes place against a backdrop of the homophobic climate in the Caribbean, in the year 2003 when the world was racked by Rosie O’Donnell’s gay family cruise.   Actual documentary footage details the mass hysteria in Nassau at that time.

Kareem Mortimer with Mr & Mrs. Hans Schopper and Dr. W. Thompson

Many of the actors chosen for DAYBREAK are either Bahamian or with Bahamian roots in their family. This is what I find so very exciting as well, because this film is not only written, directed and produced by a Bahamian ( Kareem Mortimer) but it showcases many of our talented actors, both established, up and coming and new.

Craig Pinder will play the father, Mike Roberts. Craig was born and raised in Nassau, and then attended RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) in London, England, where he won the best actor award for his year. When I went to London some years ago with my husband, it was to our enormous delight, when we went, quite by chance, to see Les Miserables, at the Palace Theatre, to find Craig in the lead role! He has spent many seasons performing Shakespeare with the Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal Exchange theatre. Here is yet another wonderful “home grown” artist who has been kept well under wraps for many years.

Ms. Sarah Disston, Mrs. Jane Kilnes and Mr. David Mc Grath

Leah Eneas, young, beautiful and captivating, is Nassau born, and has performed in many local productions.

Stephen Tyrone who plays Romeo has been in so many productions, too many to list, but one can be-reassured that he is a very accomplished actor. Stephen has Bahamian blood running through his veins and Sydney Poitier good-looks to accompany his Bahamian ancestry.

DAYBREAK will also be featuring Bahamian Ron Butler, son of the Bahamian icon, Ronnie Butler.   Ron has been in Eli Stone, Medium, Boston Legal, Crossing Jordan, Ugly Betty and Without a Trace.

 “I am happy to announce that we will most CERTAINLY start filming in July, at various locations in New Providence and Eleuthera.” For Kareem Mortimer this announcement   is a dream come true, finally a script that he has written himself for a full length, feature film, a wonderfully strong cast, together with investors who believe in his artistic ability.

When Kareem was asked if there was still place for any interested investors, he gave a wide grin and told me that yes, he is still looking for a few more interested persons wanting to become an Angel! Angels is what people who put money into theatrical productions are called in the trade. Investing in a truly important Bahamian full feature film is a once in a like time opportunity, to experience the excitement of   all sides of movie making, right here in our own back yard.

Do I smell an Oscar one day?