GUYANESE will see a new and exciting addition to the ample range of activities this year as they celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Indian Arrival on the local shores.

Celebrations for this annual event will be boosted by the introduction of a stirring movie titled: ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter for Me’, produced by talented Guyanese film producer  Mahadeo Shivraj, with GINA’s Neaz Subhan serving as promoter and also landing a vibrant role in the movie.
This very stirring masterpiece will see a grand red carpet launch at the National Cultural Centre on April 20, 2013. The movie will also be screened in Essequibo, Berbice, and parts of the West Demerara District, according to the promoters.
In an interview with Subhan yesterday, this newspaper was told that the movie will bring to life the everyday issue of differences in economic levels in  society, resulting in segregation between ‘society classes’.
‘Brown Sugar too Bitter for Me’ will impact greatly and bring to the surface the clashes and broiling issues that can result when the upper class weds or unites with a mate who is supposedly different in status.
The movie portrays an arresting   creativity that vividly depicts the saying that “God created man, but man created boundaries”. And the movie reminds that this should not be.
When Shivraj was contacted he related that this movie is indeed a beautiful reminder that “people should not see each other as different.” He also observed that the movie strikingly captures the life of an ordinary East Indian cane cutter, brought to work here on the sugar estates during the period of indentured labour. He said that the movie showcases with gripping intensity the man’s struggles as he fought to ensure that his children did not suffer the way he did or get caught in the tentacles of “societal economic differences.”
Shivraj also indicated that the movie comes as a “springboard production” evolving out of discussions between himself and New York-based Guyanese playwright Somnauth Narine to transform what was formerly a play into a screenplay and eventually the movie.
He said at first he had desired a musical drama, but later made it a screenplay and also a movie. He said in keeping with local trends he took a “Guyanese swing to things” and has included thirteen original songs, all produced by overseas-based Guyanese artistes such as Terry Gajraj, Anant Hansraj, Nadeer Bacchus, Princess Anisa, Prakz, Michael Muneshwar and a few others.
Commenting on what makes this movie different from his other productions,  Shivraj noted that this one has topped  ‘Till I find a Place’ and ‘A jasmine for a Gardener’, in that it has  better production quality, and is more outstanding in terms of originality and its focus on “everyday reality”.
In closing he declared that ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter for Me’ will definitely touch the hearts of audiences, and will bring them to tears of remorse as well as joy.
The movie will also see dazzling performances from Guyanese actors Michael Ignatius, Aditya Persaud, US-based actress Radhika Olharte, and Shivannie Latchman.