Kingston, Jamaica:– Patrons will be treated to “Candy Shop”; the first teen comedy to premiere at the Flashpoint Film Festival on Thursday, June 5 – Sunday June 8. “Candy Shop” is 98-minutes of suspense delivered with a healthy dose of comedy, which tells the tale of young men coming of age in present day Jamaica.
The hilarious screenplay produced by young director, Joel Burke, is the 29 year old’s first feature length film. He solicited Everaldo Creary, Kyino Cunningham, Yuri Stewart and Melissa Fearon to deliver the talent needed to bring the script to life.
It showcases the plight of three high school students, who planned to celebrate their last day of high school by enjoying the amenities of an upscale gentleman’s club. The events that unfold are riotous and see the boys biting off more than they can chew.
Burke is an all-rounder with talents to boot – director, video editor, cameraman and post-production engineer, to name a few. Joel has edited many of the most popular music videos for several artistes including Damian and Stephen Marley, Richie Spice, Bounty Killa and Tami Chynn, among others.
Joel had an idea for a short film that he discussed it with unconventional producer, Paul Bucknor. After Joel directed the short, Bucknor insisted they extend the screenplay and immediately proceeded to write the second half of the story to expand “Candy Shop” into a feature film. The screenplay was completed in six weeks and the film shot, three months later.
Shooting a project of this magnitude saw challenges arising. “It was difficult to find the right location. I had to visit a few gentlemen’s clubs before I found the right ones, and I had to convince the owners that I was shooting something legitimate, and I didn’t have a lot of money to spend,” he also commented.
Candy Shop is set to premiere at Flashpoint on Friday June 6. The 2008 FLASHPOINT FILM FESTIVAL will occupy its new home at Fort Charles and Historic Royal Naval Hospital in the celebrated town Port Royal on Thursday, June 5 to Sunday June 8.
