Director Alexis Andrews presents Vanishing Sail at the 5th Aruba International Film Festival in competition within the Caribbean Spotlight Series.
There is a small group of islands in the Lesser Antilles where the traditions of boatbuilding were once crucial to the survival of local communities skimming a living from the sea. Hundreds of sailing vessels were once launched here, more than anywhere in the West Indies.
“If this thing gone from here, everything gone you know…”
Alwyn Enoe is one of the last boatbuilders practicing a trade passed down the generations from the original Scottish settlers that arrived in Carriacou in the 19th century. He is approaching his 70s and with no more orders coming in, he decides to build one last sailing sloop with the hope that his sons will continue the trade. The film follows Alwyn’s progress and despair over three years – from hauling his trees out of the forest to a final traditional launching ceremony on the bayside. Stories of trading by sail and smuggling contraband from the freeport of St. Barthelemy weave through the film like the currents of the Grenadines, told by some of the last old Caribbean sea characters.
With all the family’s hope & resources now in the wooden vessel, Alwyn decides to try and complete her in time to race in the Antigua Classics – five weeks & three hundred miles away – here traditional West Indian and metropolitan elements fuse to create the final resolution of the film…
Vanishing Sail had its world premiere at the 20th Anniversary St. Barth Film Festival and has since been honored with the following awards: Directorial Discovery Award at Rhode Island International Film Festival, USA, Caribbean Spirit Award for Best Overall Feature Film in Toronto at the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival and the coveted People’s Choice Award for Best Feature Documentary at Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival.
This film part of a transmedia project representing 15 years of research that includes a printed book, a unique archive of interviews with some of the greatest names in West Indies sailing, a curated library of footage and stills images, the building of five 42 ft traditional sailing of vessels in Carriacou and an annual regatta on the island of St. Barthelemy sponsored by Unesco.
October 9th, 16:30 followed by Q&A with director and October 10, 19:30 Caribbean Cinemas, Palm Beach, Aruba. Limited tickets available.
Please visit our website and social media for news & updates: www.vanishingsail.com.
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