Noel Thompson, Freelance Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:

Negril's nightlife has been boosted with the first free film festival in the resort town, which has been running for the past two weeks.

Scores of moviegoers are flocking to On The Rocks Restaurant and Bar in West End for the Negril Free Film Festival, where screenings begin every Friday at 9:00 p.m.

The festival showcased its first offering, the Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth on February 16. It was viewed by several locals and tourists and was described as the most terrifyingfilm that you would see this year.

Last Friday Life and Debt was aired, which had viewers talking for hours after the film had ended. Quite provocative but simultaneously educating, the film left audiences with feelings of shock and anger. Written by Stephanie Black and edited by John Mullen, Life and Debt, an 86-minute documentary, highlights 25 years of financial aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which was intended to bring Third World countries into the fold of free market economies.

The attendant restructuring policies have crippled Jamaica's efforts towards self-reliant development while enriching the lenders. Former Prime Minister Michael Manley, the IMF's deputy director Stanley Fisher, and deposed Haitian president Jean Bertrand Aristide are among the prime interviewees.

At the end of the movie, the revolutionary songs of South African reggae singer Lucky Dube thumped loudly from the speakers way past midnight.

Third world oppressed

Following the viewing, most persons shared their sentiments. They felt that the U.S. continues to oppress Third World countries and force them into signing agreements that are not necessarily in the interest of their countries.

"But we can't blame only Americans, because Canada is no better," said Blaine Enstrom, a businessman from Calgary, Canada. "We have to do a better job. The Americans have a strain on us too. We can't burp or st in Canada without getting permission from the U.S."

A Rastaman remarked: "When I watch this film it confirms that fi dem plan a neva inna wi best interest. It tells us we don't have anyone to defend us. The bigger countries are always squeezing the balls of developing countries."

Swedish national Jenny Uhansson said the movie was thought-provoking.

Managing director of On the Rocks Restaurant and Bar, Conley Henry, said the decision was taken to show the films because they want people to know the truth surrounding the country's problems.

Loose Change is on the festival's agenda.