New Creole film about family life, unity to be premiered on Christmas eve on SBC1 |23 December 2022

‘Ansanm’ is the title of a newly produced film in Creole to be premiered on SBC1 on Christmas eve.

The story of the film, written by Albert Duncan, seeks to bring families together to embrace their challenges through unity.

“It is a nice story for families to relate to especially those families who have lost one of their own. I decided to write the story because I know the SBC was looking for local productions for the festive season and I got my inspiration from the story A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens,” Mr Duncan said.

He said the story is full of morals and it will give hope to many people.

He said he is happy with how the message has come out in the film.

“I am really satisfied with the film and the message has come out well,” Mr Duncan said.

The film, written and directed by Albert Dancun and produced by Rico Padayachy aka Aslam through the Marketing Guru Production, has been commissioned by the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).

The main actors are Valentina Louise, Shawn Henry, Daniel Vidot, Alvin Laurence among others including Annie, who is Mr Duncan’s own daughter.

Alvin Laurence said the Marketing Guru has produced the film through a splendid collaboration with Ceps (Citizens Engagement Platform Seychelles) which has contributed actors and making available its office space at Orion Mall for filming. Filming, which was carried out over two months, also took place at other venues at Bel Ombre, La Retraite, Mont Fleuri and elsewhere.

Mr Laurence added that producing a film at this rate and quality is never easy, and there were numerous challenges especially when working with individuals who are also very engaged in society.

But why is the film being premiered on SBC and not at another film venue?

Mr Laurence explained that the Marketing Guru Production bears all the production costs and also the film will remain the property of SBC until the end of its contract. In view of the fact that it was commissioned by SBC, it will be premiered on SBC and it will remain the property of SBC. Moreover it is for the public as a means of contributing to a positive atmosphere around the festive season.

“It’s the end of the year and we all look back, sometimes with smiles and other times with regret. The film aims to stop one from dwelling on the past and its sad memories but rather empowers one with good experiences to better face the future… we all have a story and it can only help others if it is told and interpreted in the right manner,” he said.

Meanwhile the producers have acknowledged that it has been hard work to complete the filming in a very short period of time, not to mention after working hours and on weekends.

“We can only be satisfied as it aims not at showcasing the actors or production capacity, but rather meeting people in their everyday life challenges...giving hope, empowering and spreading love. We can trust Marketing Guru to do that and the best is yet to come,” Mr Duncan remarked.

Meanwhile Mr Duncan, the director and producer of other films that the Seychellois public has so far appreciated like Laflanm and Detox, has said other series of Laflanm will be ready for screening early next year.

The producers are meanwhile hoping that viewers will enjoy the movie and can understand the morals of the story.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the film.

Marie-Anne Lepathy