Scene from Destiny, starring singer Christopher Martin.
Scene from Destiny, starring singer Christopher Martin.

The award winning Jamaican/ Canadian indie movie “Destiny” continued its historical sweep on Monday March 30, 2015, at the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar Florida, as the movie made its U.S premiere to a capacity filled theater. Hosted by Miramar’s Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne and organized by Riddims Marketing, Inc., “Destiny” attracted South Florida’s media, entertainment personalities, corporate executives, elected officials and members of the general public.

 At the VIP reception, sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board, Vice Mayor Colbourne congratulated Grasshopper Production’s CEO, Producer/Director of “Destiny”, Jeremy Whittaker for the production and bringing the film to Florida for its premiere. In reply, Whittaker stated that the response received from the diaspora was overwhelming and premiering to a sold out audience spoke volumes for the future of Jamaican films and also provided a good indication of the support the film should receive when it opens across the U.S in the coming weeks.

 The red carpet entrance was flooded by media representatives who interviewed cast members, the Producer/Director Jeremy Whittaker, Line Producer Marie Bruce and Unit Production Manager, Anthony Henry of Tuff Gong Pictures. “Destiny’s” leading lady Karian Sang along with cast members Sabrina Colie, Lyndon Forte, media personality Debbie Bissoon and Paris based Reggae singer Bazil, who is featured on the sound track, were also present.

Director Jeremy Wittaker, actress Karian Sang, and singer Bazil
Director Jeremy Wittaker, actress Karian Sang, and singer Bazil

 With an on time 8pm start “Destiny” hit the screen to loud cheers and applauses, as the movie took the audience members on a nostalgic ride with picturesque scenes of Jamaica highlighted by familiar sights such as, an Air Jamaica aircraft landing at the Palisadoes Airport. As the movie continued, the audience had expressive reactions to the appearance of popular Jamaican personalities and could be heard singing along to the catchy hook lines of the music from the Clive Hunt produced soundtrack.  “Destiny” struck all the right chords with audience members who had positive comments at the end of the movie.

 An interactive question and answer segment at the end of the movie provided some insight on the concept of the film, length of production and casting, for attendees. The evening concluded with cast members mingling with the audience, taking photos and accepting congratulatory compliments in the theater lobby.

 “Destiny” is scheduled to open to general audiences in select theatres in New York, South Florida, Chicago, Atlanta, DC and Hartford within the coming weeks. The U.S. Premiere of Destiny was sponsored by The City of Miramar, The Miramar Cultural Center, The Jamaica Tourist Board, Tuff Gong Pictures and Caribbean Airlines.

Marie Bruce, Tuff Gong Pictures, producer/director Jeremy Whittaker, Grasshopper Productions and Miramar’s Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne at the U.S. Premiee of Destiny – Photo Credit: Don Parchment
Jeremy Whittaker, Producer/Director, Karian Sang, actress and Bazil, French reggae singer whose song “Together Tonight” is on the movie soundtrack at the U.S. Premier in Miramar, Florida. Photo Credit: Don Parchment
Adoring Fans – L-R: Audrey Anderson, Jeremy Whittaker, Producer/Director of Destiny, Ann McKenzie, Maxine Tulloch and Stephanie Crooks on the red carpet at the U.S. Premier of the movie, which screened to a sold out house on March 30 at Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar, Florida. Photo Credit: Don Parchment
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