The US company behind 2014 Academy Award winning movie, The Dallas Buyers Club, arrives next month for talks with Government on T&T’s film industry, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon has said.
Gopee-Scoon made the announcement in the Senate last Friday during the 2017 budget debate. The US company, Truth Entertainment Now (TEN), is headed by Texas producer Joe Newcomb.
The Dallas Buyers Club starring US mega-star Matthew McConaughey is the true-life story of Aids victim, Ronald Woodroof. After Woodroof was diagnosed with Aids in the 1980s, he started a venture called the Dallas Buyers Club, which distributed Aids treatments not yet approved by US authorities, to those who couldn’t afford treatments.
The film copped six 2014 Academy Awards for Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (McConaughey) Best Supporting Actor, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling and Best Achievement in Film Editing.
Gopee-Scoon said Government was pleased with strengthening of the local film industry and will be seeking to partner with international players to help develop the industry. Several large international films will be made in T&T and at the end of the process, Government would want to have a local production house.
She then named Truth Entertainment Now, noting it was the company which made Academy Award winner Dallas Buyers Club.
Gopee-Soon said TEN will be coming here next month for talks with the ministry and CreateT&T within the Creative Industries film sector. Talks have been occurring in recent months with TEN for T&T links. TEN chairman/CEO Newcomb has had a background in the oil and natural gas industry, US reports state.
Gopee-Scoon also said a 70-member contingent from T&T is going to Cuba at month end to explore trade opportunities. She said the National Security Ministry and Coast Guard are providing extra security and surveillance among budget concession to re-attract the yachting business which dropped from 2,500 visiting vessels to 1004.
This was due to crime and other problems. This is being tackled by upgraded security and port service and removal of bureaucratic constraints