Leonie Forbes
IF veteran actress Leonie Forbes was not inducted into the Doctor Birds Awards' Hall of Fame, there would have been many disappointed fans at the elaborate ceremony held at the Hilton Kingston, Monday night.
While everyone heartily cheered on the other successful inductees, the high point of the evening was, without a doubt, the moment Forbes' name was announced.
Many of her colleagues and well wishers gave her a standing ovation as she, with a radiant smile, hurried on stage to collect the award which was an official proclamation of all that she has achieved throughout her illustrious career.
She was awarded for work in the films Children of Babylon, Milk and Honey, Orchid House, Passion and Paradise, Win Some Lose Some, and, presently, TRAXX.
Including Forbes there were eight inductees at the awards dubbed the Jamaican Oscars.
Sarita Choudhury for her work in film, Trevor Rhone for screenwriting, Tonya Lee Williams for work on television and film, Lloyd Reckord for work in acting and screenwriting, Cynthia Wilmot for screenwriting, Frank Silvera for work in film and television, and, the only non-Jamaican, Euzhan Palcy for work screenwriting were the other inductees.
Some of the announcements raised eyebrows as many, it seemed, were not aware of the inductees' Jamaican connection.
Actor, director and producer, Lloyd Reckord was honoured for his work both locally and in the United Kingdom.
Reckord used the opportunity to blast the Government for not supporting the performing arts. He pointed out that there are a number of major productions which himself and veteran players in the industry have participated in and yet these have never been shown locally.
"These films cost about US$200 a hour and instead they order the Desmonds who is an unemployed black man lying around in a barber shop and what they have done is hire the whole series and do re-runs," he said.
"We are working hard but we are not getting any support. It is high time the Government find ways of supporting what we do," Reckord said, to the applause of many of his colleagues.
The special Caribbean Award was given to Dominican screenwriter, producer, director, Palcy, for her work in Sugar Cane Alley, Dry White Season and Wings against the Wind among others.
The evening's proceedings went smoothly thanks to emcees Debbie Tyson and Michael Anthony Cuff. The seating arrangements were, however poorly organised. Entertainment was provided by Fab Five Band, Myrna Hague, and Richie Stephens.
