By Jasmaine Payne

FOR quite some time now, Guyanese have been hearing much about A Bitter Lime, the feature-length film which has utilised our beautiful homeland as the paradise to which the main characters turn after becoming fed up of life in the big city of Los Angeles, USA.Spearheaded by Australian Director Max De Bowen, A Bitter Lime premiered, after two years of filming and preparation, on June 5, 2016 in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and will soon make its way to De Bowen’s native Australia before premiering in Guyana later this year.

Upon wrapping up production, a 20-minute preview of the movie was featured at the recently concluded Timheri Film Festival, which was hosted in honour of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Max told The Buzz in an interview that responses received here and at the official premiere in LA two weeks ago were overwhelming, and that people felt it was wonderful that the film gave an inside look of Guyana.
NOT A TYPICAL FILM
“It’s not a typical film, so people very much appreciated its artistic elements, and found it entertaining at the same time,” he said.
As for Max’s own view of Guyana, and why, of all places, he chose to use our country as the destination of his movie, he said that the splendor of Guyana should not come as a surprise to anyone.
“I’m a world explorer,” he said. “I’ve travelled every continent and many countries, and I think Guyana is a most incredible country with a great mix of people and cultures.
“It’s got nature, the city, and influence from all around the world; it’s a microcosm of the world.”
With these thoughts in mind, Max said that if ever there was any place he thought someone should run away to, it should be Guyana. “And that’s the basis of the whole story; and it’s a film, so it’s based on conflict.
“So things do get kind of out of hand, but, ultimately, they do get to see the beauty of Guyana and how cool the place is,” he said.
A FIRST
Max has been in the business since he was 18, and has produced several short films under his company, Max Film. A Bitter Lime is his first feature film, and he is glad to have filmed it in Guyana. “Guyana is the perfect place to film all kinds of films; documentaries, and all other genres,” he said.
The film not only untilises a mixture of locations, but a mixture of cultures, capturing Guyana’s natural landscapes, and using her beautiful scenery to speak for itself on screen.
Moreover, while the lead roles are played by Canadian Georgie Deburas, and American actress Raylin Christensen, much of the supporting cast is made up of several local names like Meleesa Payne, Leon Cummings and Kirwyn Mars.
Local artistes also lent their talents to the making of the movie, among them designer Melissa Roberts, who produces the movie; Keisha Edwards, who provided wardrobe; makeup artist, Renee Chester; and local rock band, Feed the Flames, which is on the sound track.
ALL-TIME FAVOURITE
With many more ideas for films in the future, Max states that Guyana remains on his list of destinations, and that he may very well return to add some of that unique Guyanese flair to another project he may be working on.
“I want to make more films in Guyana, and encourage other people to do so as well,” Max said, adding:
“Even when I make films elsewhere, I want to include some of the people I met here who were part of the team. I believe in building long-term relationships, and working with people on common interests and creative goals. We aren’t only creating art here; we’re connecting the world.”