MIAMI – Jamaica for Sale is a powerful documentary about the economic, social and environmental impacts of tourism and unsustainable development in Jamaica.
The Miami premiere of the film is playing at The Women’s International Film And Arts Festival, Saturday, April 3rd 3pm at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave. in Miami.
Producer-Director Esther Figueroa will be at the showing and part of after film panel.
Film Overview
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 who are dependent on tourism and/or participating in unsustainable development practices.
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
Special Mention: Commfest Community Film Festival, Gone With the Film Festival, Indiefest
“Jamaica for Sale is a powerful critique of the persistent neocolonial structures of ownership in the Jamaican tourism industry, and the resulting environmental degradation, exploitative and dangerous labour conditions, and loss of communities’ autonomy or participation in the development processes that most affect their livelihoods. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and coverage of tourism-related events such as work stoppages and communities’ meetings with resort developers, Jamaica for Sale presents a compelling portrayal of an industry in crisis, one that is perpetuating a radically uneven distribution of tourism benefits.”
Jenny Burman, Assistant Professor of Communications, McGill University.
Author of “Transnational Yearnings: Tourism, Migration and Diasporic Culture” 2010
