It was love at first sight as crowds packed the grounds of historic Pedro St. James for a Valentine’s Day special advance showing of ‘‘The Bluff’ – a pirate-themed movie by Caymanian filmmaker Frank E. Flowers.
Moviegoers anxious to see the Amazon Prime film, set in the 19th century and named after the landmark cliffs of Cayman Brac, queued outside the entrance to the historic site on 14 Feb. for the special screening.
Clyde Allen said the Flowers family had invited him and his wife to the showing.
“We’ve been following Frankie for some time – since the start of his career,” said Allen. “It’s important, not just for the history, but to get Cayman out there. There’s more to Cayman than meets the eye, as small as we are.”
Theresa Pitcairn attended with daughter Jade, along with friends Clyde and Helen Allen.
“Frankie is a young Caymanian making movies and getting the Cayman name out there.”
She said that Jazz, another daughter, was also an up-and-coming filmmaker who has already notched a runner-up spot in the prestigious Tribeca Festival, an annual event in New York.
“To have two successful directors out there is great.”
Cayman’s pirate crews were also out in force in honour of the film’s storyline, which features the story of a former pirate forced to return to a life of violence to protect her family when her past catches up with her.
Flowers told the Compass last week that the theatre of the annual Pirates Week helped inspire the look of the movie.
Orneil Galbraith, a real-life charter boat captain and owner of Blue Sky Sailing, is also captain of Las Tortugas Pirates.
“I’m pleased to see such a large turnout of people,” he said. “It’s so nice that people are still interested in pirates and I’m happy to be here to support the film and also to support Pirates Week, which is our national festival.”
Galbraith added, “It’s very important to keep the history alive. A lot of people say ‘I’m not descended from a pirate’, but we need to promote the truth.
“Perhaps some people aren’t, but you can’t turn your back on history.”
He admitted Cayman’s pirate past involved violence and crime, which he did not condone.
“What I like about it is the ships [and] the sailing on the open water. I’m more like the Robin Hood of pirates.”
Another attendee, Harlon James, said, “It’s part of our heritage as Caymanians. This place right here was a fort, a castle,” he said. “I’m pleased to see the film and its Caymanian producer do well – I grew up with him.”
The official premiere of the film by the US-based Flowers was held in Los Angeles on 17 Feb.
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