Published On:Wednesday, September 08, 2010

By MEGAN REYNOLDS

Tribune Staff Reporter

mreynolds@tribunemedia.net

TEENAGE tearaways serving time at the Willie Mae Pratt School for Girls met Caribbean actress CCH Pounder at an exclusive screening of Bahamian film 'Rain' at community arts centre The Hub.

Ms Pounder, who plays school track coach Ms Adams in the Bahamian film by director, writer and producer Maria Govan, of Cable Beach, Nassau, talked to the group of around 30 girls in a question and answer session after the film and one-on-one as they mingled after the group discussion.

In the film Ms Pounder, a prolific actress from Guyana, is a mentor and guide for 14-year-old Rain, played by Bahamian newcomer Renel Brown.

Rain is forced to face a brutal reality when she moves to Nassau in search of her estranged mother following the death of the grandmother who raised her in tranquil Ragged Island.

And as she endures the drastic transition from a quiet Out Island settlement to innercity Nassau and a world assaulted by drugs, betrayal and abuse, Ms Adams is right behind her.

Ms Govan said: "She really plays in some ways the hero.

"She's the one who is the hope, and the mother figure, someone from outside the family who can transform our lives."

With Ms Adams' unfailing support, Rain is able to overcome the trials and tribulations familiar to thousands of young people in the Bahamas today, and a story that rang true for the Willie Mae Pratt girls.

"They all felt it really resonated for all of them, they all spoke to that, that this was their life experience and it was really moving," Ms Govan said.

"So many of them said to me that was their experience and it really encouraged them, to give them hope by transcending your situation.

"I think it really moved them, they were really inspired by it.They loved it."

Minister of Social Services Loretta Butler-Turner also attended the screening and gave the girls words of encouragement. Ms Govan said she was impressed by the minister's proactive attendance, as well as the generosity of The Hub for providing a free space to serve such a positive cause.

"Film is a really interesting teaching tool and a powerful way for us to affect our young people," Ms Govan said.

"I hope there comes a time when all of the work Bahamians are doing, especially in film, can be utilised in the school system.

"It's a way to deal with difficult subjects that people need to talk about, and I think it's important that Bahamians see Bahamian film so anything that is going to facilitate that is really important."

'Rain' has won international acclaim since it premiered at the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) in December 2008.

At BIFF 'Rain' won the audience award for Best Feature, as it went on to win a special jury mention at the Palm Springs International Film Festival New Voices/New Visions category and award nominations at festivals around the world.

It was released on DVD this month and is available from US retail giants Target, Walmart and Blockbuster, as well as Internet shopping sites Amazon.com, Netflix, independent boutique stores and Super Video in Nassau.