There is a new buzz in the fledgling Antigua & Barbuda film industry and it’s called Tropical Films (Antigua).

Tropical Films has just released its first short film titled “Hooked”, written and directed by Trellis, which is currently being shown on TV stations across the Caribbean.

“Hooked” is the story of a young man hopelessly in love with what turns out to be the wrong woman who betrays his trust in preference for her ex-boyfriend and child’s father.

In this 40-minute short film, Benjamin (played by Dennis Hunt) falls in love with Penny (Rachel Steele) whom he provides for and takes care of her after her ex-beau and baby father Damien (Carl Christopher) runs afoul of the long arm of the law. The ex lands in the Penitentiary. Penny’s sister Hope (played by Monique Fairclough) watches all this from the sidelines while harbouring a fair crush for Benjamin, though keeping a respectful distance.

Things come to a head as Damien is about to be released from prison after serving his sentence and a love struck and opportunistic Penny decides the time has come to dump Benjie and be reunited with her ex – and she breaks this unwelcome news to Benjie in the opening scene. Benjamin in return is adamant that he loves Penny and will not leave her for Damien to hurt her a second time. In all this, Hope tries to play the palliative role but incurs the anger of her younger sister in the process.

The movie really heats up when Damien is released and has a confrontation with Benjie. He then drops a bombshell on his baby mother that he has tested HIV positive while in prison, but she only finds this out after they act out a steamy PG14 sex scene.

Without letting the cat out of the bag the action really heats up afterwards and the movie races to an unexpected climax in a very thought-provoking manner.

Based on reviews, Tropical Films and Nigel Trellis have done a good job with their first production and this publication understands that they intend to do a few more short films before producing a feature length with more serious commercial intent.

Trellis plans to make ‘Hooked’ available to local audiences via the television stations very soon, but those who are anxious to see it can visit the website (www.tropicalfilmsantigua.com) where the entire film can be watched if you have a fast internet connection. Facebook members can watch a preview of the movie on the Tropical Films (Antigua) Facebook fan page.

Apart from Perry Henzell’s “The Harder They Come” (1972), no Caribbean film can really claim to have had widespread commercial success but Trellis says to have a superior chance for success, Tropical Films is guided by five key objectives.

Those include creating stories that are exciting; that capture the imagination, and Trellis said “Nothing will be produced by us unless it is based on a well-written, absorbing screenplay.”

Further the group aims to produce image and audio quality that is on par or closes to par with first world productions and is continuously investing in capable professional equipment.

Another objective is to transfer all their full-length movies to film for screening in local movie theatres which will guarantee that productions are screened at full resolution and are on par with what patrons are accustomed to seeing in the cinema for better visual quality.

The group also aims to conduct adequate marketing, prior to a release, and this process has in fact already begun with the production and promotion of a series of short screenplays.

“We plan to produce three such screenplays before attempting a feature length film and a financial return at this stage is not important. Instead our goal at this time is to build a following of fans throughout the Caribbean, who recognize us for quality work.”

He said too “Our focus will be on producing world class dramas and comedies that have special appeal for Caribbean people. Great emphasis will be placed on superior acting talent as opposed to high impact action and Hollywood-type stunts.

Tropical Films has to date acquired most of the equipment, and a fair amount of the knowledge required for producing films that its members hope will measure up to first world productions. “We are now in the process of building a team of people who will through dedication, practice and a love for the craft, develop and perfect the expertise that is needed to realize the dream of helping create a legitimate and respected Caribbean cinema,” Trellis said.

Nigel Trellis was born on July 27, 1970 in New Amsterdam, Berbice. He received his education at New Amsterdam Multilateral School and the Bishops’ High School. He is currently a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with a passion for the creative arts.

While in Guyana, Trellis, a chartered accountant by profession, worked with the National Bank of Industry & Commerce (now Republic Bank), Ram & McRae and the Caricom Secretariat prior to migrating to Antigua where he now manages two resorts.

However, Trellis is no stranger to the Arts having acted at the National Cultural Centre and also written and produced several dramatic productions while here.