by Sorana Mitchell
About 200 guests gathered in 2 theatres at the Movie Palace in Excel Plaza, Grand Anse, on 28 November to view the 57-minute-long documentary on the life of Grenadian-born Canadian trailblazer Hon. Dr Jean Augustine.
At the red-carpet affair were Governor General of Grenada Dame Cécile La Grenade, and former Prime Minister Dr Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell and his mother, Muriel Mitchell, both of whom appeared in the film.
Hailed the immigrant’s story, ‘STEADFAST… The Messenger and the Message’, depicted the dynamic Dr Augustine from her humble beginnings in Happy Hill, Grenada, to a celebrated politician on Parliament Hill, Canada.
The film opened with commentary by Joseph Marcell, veteran British actor of the famed 90s sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Among STEADFAST’s many interviewees were Grenadian hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former Miss World Jennifer Hosten, and several Canadian businesspeople and politicians.
The film re-enacted young Jean’s firm refusal to give up when her application to enter college was rejected. Dr Augustine said afterwards it was her first ‘push back’ against the system. Her niece, actress Nawa Simon, plays young Jean. Simon said playing her aunt gave her a sense of pride.
Dame Cécile said, “Mrs Jean Augustine has been a source of great inspiration, not only to young Grenadians, but to people of colour throughout the diaspora. Her life story, so brilliantly portrayed in the film STEADFAST, is one of determination, perseverance and overcoming the odds. It is also one of grace, faith and humility. She has proudly taken her well-deserved place in Grenada’s history and will forever serve as a guiding light and beacon of hope to many.”
17-year-old Sydney Best said, “I thought the film was very eye-opening. It made me realise how impactful she was and how she still is. And how she helped Grenada after hurricane Ivan.”
Filming of the movie began in 2019 with a crew of 16. Donors provided over CDN$100,000 to see the film to the end. Director Fahim Hamid Ali said it was a labour of love for him. When asked who he would compare Augustine to in the American experience, Ali said, “Her unique story is not comparable.”
Students from 11 secondary schools attended another film showing on 2 December. Fifteen-year-old Dionne Ross of Happy Hill Secondary School said, “I thought the movie was inspirational, in the aspect that she rose from poverty living in Happy Hill…and she had a dream, and she wanted to follow it and she didn’t give up.”
Armarion Williams, a 13-year-old student at the St John’s Christian Secondary School, said, “It was interesting, and I love to hear about Jean Augustine’s history. It was very educational.”
While here, Dr Augustine continued her philanthropic work at St Louis Girls’ RC School, delivering school supplies to the children and books for the library she built.
STEADFAST premiered on 2 April 2022 after a 2-month delay due to Covid-19. Plans are afoot to get it screened at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
