Published On:Monday, March 08, 2010

By AVA TURNQUEST

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ON MARCH 29, the Bahamas will host the exclusive premiere of Tyler Perry's film "Why Did I Get Married Too" at the Atlantis Theatre complete with red carpet, Minister of Tourism Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace revealed at a press conference yesterday.

Partnering with Mount Tabor Bishop Neil Ellis and the Ministry of Tourism is GEMS 105.9FM, and major sponsors include Colombian Emeralds and Bank of the Bahamas. The event will be open to the public, and for the first time allow Bahamians a "taste of Hollywood, right in it's own backyard."

Bishop Ellis continued: "We are aware that the Bahamian people have come to know Tyler through his Madea character and I am happy once again to have the privilege to afford our people the opportunity to meet him up-close and personal."

As the venue will only be able to accommodate 400 persons, Bahamians are encouraged to acquire tickets from the GEMS radio station at their earliest availability, which is scheduled for late next week.

Partial proceeds from the event will be donated to the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group, a group that seeks to offer solace and community for those affected by the disease.

According to the Bahamas Film Commission, films and TV productions shot in the Bahamas can inject up to $15 million into the nation's economy -- outside of increased Bahamian employment opportunities.

The sequel, shot partially in Eleuthera and Exuma, was reported to have brought in nearly $1 million to the island's economy.

Minister Vanderpool-Wallace acknowledged, "Advertising has changed greatly over the years, many times the commercials that we are running can be skipped or avoided due to amenities such as TiVo.

"The one thing that they can never take out is product placement within the film or show, and there is no better product placement than to show the water and the beauty of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. When people see this film they will get to see the wonders of the Bahamas in a way that we could not have possibly reproduced on our own."

The tourism minister said the event is a testament that "anybody" can assist in the development of tourism, highlighting its succession as a direct result of Bishop Ellis' initiative and relationship with the American superstar.

Bishop Ellis met the entertainment icon by chance through like religious affiliations, over the years they maintained a friendship and when Mr Perry developed an interest in purchasing an island, he turned to Bishop Ellis for advice.

"When I approached the Minister of Tourism early last year," Bishop Ellis said, "and requested that he and other government officials arrange to have a meeting with Tyler because of the work that he was currently doing in the Bahamas, it was already evident to me that Tyler was enthralled with the beauty and people of our country."

"Why Did I Get Married Too" is scheduled for release in the United States on April 2.