"I have a tumor between my duodenum and pancreas. It's caused an obstruction, preventing me from eating (I throw up). ... I've been sick for some time... I put it down to flu, stress, food poisoning, allergies.~
The doctor did tests and said it was "nothing" (I think a result of our plodding public health system). In Trinidad, they ordered a catscan and gastroscopy overnight (I paid for it), and began using the dreaded "C" word..."
Ms Solomon who studied in Toronto, Ontario and Paris, France, before building a successful career in England with the British Broadcasting Corporation, returned to Toronto and founded Leda Serene Films in 1999. Solomon's feature film A Winter Tale, about a men's anger management group formed to combat youth violence, has been screened in movie theatres around the world.~
In 2002 came Caribbean Tales, a not-for-profit multimedia product company, that promotes and celebrates the rich tradition of Caribbean-heritage storytelling.
... I am at St Mike's Hospital on intravenous food and drip, because I am unable to eat or drink at all. They installed a tube into my upper arm, ran it up my shoulder and down into my heart. ... I lay on with my arms outstretched just like someone condemned to lethal injection (as seen on A&E). I watched the little curling tube run up along my chest and curve down into the black mass of my own heart. ..."~
In the meantime, Solomon's staff continues hard at work on the 3rd annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival scheduled for July 10th-13th, Canada's forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema at home, abroad, classical, creole, digital and celluloid. This year's focus is on Jamaica. ~
Produced in association with the Jamaican Consulate, Toronto and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO), the 4-day celebration, complete with workshops, awards evenings, and youth outreach will showcase Jamaica's rich and vibrant cultural traditions synonymous with cultural innovation and spirited rebellion.
~
Opening night features the Canadian premiere of Stephanie Black's award-winning documentary filmmaker of AFRICA UNITE who is also the reality series producer of Being Bobby Brown (about the troubled and controversial lives of former spouses Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston); and the documentary Life & Debt, about the effects of the International Monetary Fund on the Jamaican economy.AFRICA UNITE commemorates the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday. The Marley family traverses Ethiopia in a worldwide call to Afri-unity. Why this particular documentary is so interesting, however, is that we learn the fascinating story about how this country's strategic leadership refused numerous attempts to be colonized by Europeans. I mean, how many people from our generation know about this? I didn't study it, did you? I can't wait to learn more at the Q&A with Ms Black that follows the screening at The Revue Cinema.
Also to be featured this festival is award-winning filmmaker Clement Virgo and his movie Poor Boy's Game.
Clement Virgo (left) with friend Cameron Bailey (center), Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival~
Ms Solomon continues, "It's so great that the festival is growing. I feel as if I'm having a party and I get to invite everyone."
During the festival, more movie screenings and workshops will include actors like the revered Leonie Forbes, and a youth day with the innovative D'bi Young, erotica poet Dwayne Morgan and filmmaker Michael Miller. The Caribbean Tales Film Festival continues through Sunday at The Revue Cinema and River Restaurant, both in the west end of the city.
~
Still slowly recovering from the painful surgery, Solomon writes:
...They opened me up, but couldn't remove the tumor.... I will take medication to reduce the size of it, then try....again. ... I'm soooo sick of this building, the lack of sunlight, and most of all the bed.... It's been quite the journey, and certainly qualifies as one of my most interesting trips.... So grateful to everyone who's thinking about me."~
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