Caymanian filmmaker, director and screenwriter Frank E. Flowers has been honoured with a special cultural award for his role as a co-writer in the new film, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’.
He received the award at a meet-and-greet and private screening of the movie at Camana Bay Cinema on Thursday, 15 Feb.
Governor Jane Owen, Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly and Culture Minister Dwayne Seymour were among the people at the pre-screening event, to meet both Flowers and his writing partner and long-time friend, Terence Winter.
Seymour presented the award to Flowers, a Caymanite piece designed by local artist and sculptor, Horacio Esteban, on behalf of the ministry and in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.
“God is good,” an emotional Flowers, 45, said, after receiving the award.
“The journey of this film has been one of humility and learning that it is not about us, it’s about something bigger than us.”
Dressed in Bob Marley-inspired Rastafarian hat and T-shirt, Seymour said the event was not only about a legend from the Caribbean, but also to honour the contributions of Cayman’s “own celebrity”, who has used his talents to tell Bob Marley’s story.
“The arts are alive and well here in Cayman,” said Seymour, noting as culture minister he hoped to help creatives like Flowers “use their gifts to make lasting impressions” globally.
He added it was of “utmost” importance to promote “our people when they achieve international celebrity status” such as model Selita Ebanks and actress Grace Byers.
Seymour recalled that growing up in the ’70s he couldn’t mention Bob Marley or play his music at home as “it was a Christian house”. Now, he added, “I can’t do without it. And if you ask me my favourite Bob song, [it’s] ‘One Love’ – let’s get together and feel all right. Imagine if we actually did that every day.”
Winter, who arrived just two hours prior to the event and was presented with a token of appreciation, said it was an honour to be on the island. “I was about three steps off the plane, and I turned to Frankie and said I already love it.”
Also attending the event was Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore, founding member of reggae bands Third World and Cat Coore and Friends. Flowers explained, “After Bob was shot [in an assassination attempt in 1976] and the band was in the wind, Cat was brave enough to fill in as guitarist to help spread the message.”
He added, “Heroes like [Cat] are what inspired this film, and sitting in all of those days in the living room with Ziggy [Marley], and hearing these stories that we wouldn’t have known otherwise, again, reminds me that [our] mission… is bigger than any of us. It’s not about our individual achievements, it’s about the bigger message, connecting with God, and giving that gift, and doing His will for our people.”
Following the screening of the film, which is based on the life of Bob Marley from his rise to fame until his death in 1981, Flowers and Winter participated in a Q&A session, moderated by artist Nasaria Suckoo Chollette.
Flowers, who has worked on several films, including ‘Shooting Stars’ (2023), ‘Metro Manila’ (2013) and ‘Haven’ (2004), said it took almost 20 years to get to this moment. “It’s beautiful and humbling to contribute in some small way to the legacy of this legend.”
‘Bob Marley: One Love’, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch, opened in theatres worldwide, including Cayman, on 14 Feb.
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