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News : New Providence Last Updated: Jul 2, 2019 - 4:39:46 PM


'Pigs of Paradise' returns home to sold-out audience
By Jeff Todd
Jul 2, 2019 - 11:30:16 AM

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From left - Claudette Pagano, publicist for Pigs of Paradise; T.R. Todd, author of the award-winning book based on the film; Charlie Smith, director of Pigs of Paradise; Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism and Aviation; Peter Nicholson, President of GIV Bahamas Inc.

On its latest stop on a world tour, the film based on the award-winning book is now playing at Island House in Nassau, with Exuma up next

Nassau, Bahamas – The film based on the swimming pigs has arrived back home in The Bahamas, continuing its world tour after stops in Fort Lauderdale and the Cannes International Film Festival in Southern France.

On Saturday, Pigs of Paradise screened to a sold-out crowd at the Island House Cinema.

Charlie Smith, the director of the film, participated in a question and answer period with the audience, alongside Peter Nicholson, the executive producer, and author T.R. Todd, who wrote the book on which the film is based.

Screenings at Island House will continue today. A theatrical release is also planned with Galleria Cinemas beginning in July.

"It is really important to us that all Bahamians have an opportunity to see this film," said Charlie Smith, the owner of Earthbeat Films.

"At its heart, this is a Bahamian story. The swimming pigs have become globally known. They are a point of pride for many people, not just in Exuma but other islands in The Bahamas. So it is a true honour to show the film where it all started."

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Charlie Smith, right, welcomes a sold-out crowd to Island House in Nassau last Saturday.

In recent years, the swimming pigs have gained worldwide fame, appearing in magazines, newspapers, television shows, movies and countless social media posts. The film tells the true story of how these famous animals arrived on Big Major Cay, providing a history of the area and speaking to many Bahamians in both Exuma and Nassau. It goes on to chronicle their dramatic rise to fame and their economic impact on the entire Bahamas.

Dionisio D'Aguilar, the Minister of Tourism and Aviation, was on hand for the packed screening. He also appeared in the film alongside Joy Jibrilu, the Director General at the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

"It was our pleasure to host Minister D'Aguilar and receive such rave reviews on this film," said Peter Nicholson, who is also the President of GIV Bahamas Inc and the largest owner at Grand Isle Resort in Exuma.

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The swimming pigs have become globally known in recent years, providing publicity and an economic boost to The Bahamas. CREDIT: Howie Sonnenschein

"These swimming pigs have been such a wonderful surprise. When Todd and I began this journey in 2013, we had no idea what it would become today. Perhaps the most rewarding part has been seeing its positive impact on so many people in The Bahamas, while also broadcasting the beauty of this country to the world."

Pigs of Paradise has been on a roll as of late, screening to sold out audiences in multiple countries. The book, by T.R. Todd, has also won two international awards over the last few months. After Fort Lauderdale, Cannes and Nassau, attention now shifts to where it all began - in Exuma.

From July 4 to July 8, Grand Isle will play host to the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, on location in Exuma," said Robert Sands, Hotel Manager at Grand Isle Resort. "We will show Pigs of Paradise, along with others, and we anticipate this will become an annual tradition and another feather in the cap for Exuma."

A special community screening is also being planned for this week, whereby all residents of Great Exuma will have the opportunity to see the film about the world-famous swimming pigs of Exuma.

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