Jamaica for Sale – Philadelphia Premiere: May 6th, 2010, 6pm
Jamaica for Sale: A Documentary About Tourism and Unsustainable Development
Produced & Directed by Esther Figueroa
THURSDAY, MAY 6th, 2010
6-8:30 pm
Ruth Auditorium, Nesbitt Hall (33rd & Market St.), Drexel University
Jamaica for Sale (84mins) is a powerful documentary about the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism and unsustainable development in Jamaica. The film will be followed by a discussion with Producer/Director Esther Figueroa and Prof. Mimi Sheller
Winner of the Audience Award at the Africa World Documentary Film Festival, the Bronze Palm Award at the Mexico International Film Festival, and the Rising Star Award at the Canada Film Festival
Though the Caribbean receives about five percent of the global tourist trade, it is the region most economically dependent on tourism. Heavily promoted since 1891 as the way to modernization and prosperity, tourism has tragically failed in its promises, as Jamaica is one of the most indebted countries in the world and the third poorest country in the Caribbean. Lively, hard hitting, with powerful voices, arresting visuals and iconic music, Jamaica For Sale documents the environmental, economic, social and cultural impacts of unsustainable tourism development. Filled with wit and penetrating observations from the street wise to highly acclaimed academics, Jamaica For Sale engages with a cross section of Jamaicans: workers, small hoteliers, fishermen, community members, and environmentalists. As Jamaica is irreversibly transformed by massive hotel and luxury condominium development, Jamaica For Sale both documents this transformation and is trying to turn the tide. It is a cautionary tale not just for Jamaica, but all islands in the Caribbean, and all places around the world dependent on tourism or participating in unsustainable development practices.
Hosted by the Center for Mobilities Research & Policy, Africana Studies and Women’s Studies, this event is free and open to the public.
For more information please contact: Mimi Sheller at mimi.sheller@drexel.edu
