Aspiring filmmaker encourages Solomons’ movie scene
Solomon Islanders love movies, From Hollywood, to India’s Bollywood – even Nigeria’s Nollywood has a huge fan base in the country.
Still the country has no proper cinemas, no professional actors, and only a few short films have been produced by locals.
Now, an aspiring young filmmaker and actor plans to change all that.
Solomon Islands born Australian Jeremy Bobby said it was his dream to start a film school in the country.
“We have so many stories here that are untold, and I believe that establishing a film school would showcase our rich and diverse culture to the outside world,” he said.
“For us Solomon islanders, creativity is in our blood, our cultural practice of passing down stories orally is the perfect example of how we keep our stories.”
Jeremy Bobby with fellow Blackbird cast, Regina Lepping. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Bobby said one of his biggest goals after studying filmmaking and establishing himself in Australia was to share his knowledge with aspiring actors in the country.
He said many young people are interested in filmmaking, but didn’t have the opportunities to follow their dreams.
“I know people in the Solomons love to watch movies,” he said.
“I think it’s important for our stories to be translated into films, and I believe people would love it.”
Jeremy was the lead actor in the award-winning short film ‘Blackbird’, a historical drama film that follows the story of one young spirited man, his brutal kidnapping from his village to Queensland, Australia, to a work in a Sugarcane plantation during the black birding era in the 19th century.
Jeremy Bobby on set in the Blackbird film. Photo: Supplied.
He is currently studying filmmaking at the Griffith Film School in Brisbane, and has been working on other small film projects.
“Ever since I was a kid I’ve always wanted to make films and acting,” he said.“I love the way sound and pictures come together to form a storyline.”
Mr Bobby said Solomon Islands has a rich culture in arts and that story telling is engrained in the local culture.
He said the country has so many potential actors, and that it was up to young people to follow their passion, in order to promote filmmaker in the country.
Jeremy Bobby with fellow Blackbird cast members. Photo: Supplied.
“Being part of the Blackbird film taught me a lot of things, especially our culture and history,” he said.
“I want to tell real stories with real people, which we have a lot in this country.”
Mr Bobby said people in the country should be reminded that filmmaking does not depend entirely on attending film school or University; it is up to the passion a person has.
He said young people who are interested in filmmaking should always stick with other people who share the same passion.
By: Lowen Sei.