High fives for 'Fish' premiere

By Sonia Morgan, Staf Reporter

Jamaican author, Anthony Winkler (centre), has the attention of his wife, Cathy (second right), Beverley Sutherland-Lewis (left), Charles Burnett (second left) and Professor Errol Morrison. They were at Island Cinema for the World Premiere of the movie 'The Annihilation of Fish' written by Winkler and directed by Burnett.

CELEBRITIES IN fine style and in large numbers turned up last Thursday at Island Cinema in New Kingston for the World Premiere of the movie 'The Annihilation of Fish', written by Jamaican author, Anthony Winkler, directed by Charles Burnett and produced by Paul Heller.

Winkler and Burnett were among the celebrities at the premiere.

The first hour found guests meeting with the writer and director and mingling with the celebrities while they partook in the sumptuous hors d'oeurves.

Without even watching the movie, there were two things that would appeal to the Jamaican audience: the movie was written by a Jamaican and the lead role played by renowned actor, James Earl Jones.

The premiere was presented by the Council of Voluntary Social Services, CVSS, who will benefit from the proceeds. Professor Errol Morrison, chairman of CVSS, was thrilled at the turn-out and thanked the stars for making it to the event. Winkler received many commendations from persons who had read the book and following the movie, he was praised even more. Comments like "Only Tony alone could pull this off," and "How does he do it" were thrown around.

Mr. Winkler was accompanied by his wife, Cathy, who has been supportive of his career. "He's a pretty normal guy," she said of her husband.

The movie was born form a short story which Mr. Winkler said he wrote in 1975. However, the script and filming came much later.

Are the issues in the movie relevant to today? Of course. Mr. Winkler said they deal with universal and timeless issues such as love and loneliness. The movie asks why are we alive and it attempts to answer, he told The Gleaner.

The transformation from the story to script was not difficult for the author. He said it took him three weeks to complete the 110 pages.

Jamaican-born actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph, who was in the island for the launch of the Jamerican Film Festival, was one of the stars at the premiere. She was her usual vivacious self. Playwright, David Heron, ignited the room with his good looks and his slick ensemble. Jeffrey Anderson Gunter, the dreadlocked Jamaican-born actor was there with Sheryl Lee as well. Other guests at the premiere were: Mosina Jordan, Monica Gordon, Devon Yetman, Pauline Stone-Myrie, Valerie Moodie, Dorothy Cunningham, Clelia Baretto de Hunter, Del Crooks, Elon Beckford, Marilyn Beckford, Don Patterson, Irenia Patterson, Marcia Forbes and Wyvolyn Gager.

Beverley Sutherland-Lewis and Carmen Patterson, who were instrumental in planning the event, were present to see the result of a job well done.

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