“THE Tenants…Rent’s Due”, an 111-minute-long drama by the George Subraj Foundation and Red Lock Media, was officially introduced to the Guyanese populace on Friday, with showings commencing on July 25 at Caribbean Cinemas.

Popular Guyanese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, George Subraj (now deceased), along with long standing member of the entertainment industry, Richard B. Mahase, began talks of producing a Guyanese film in an American setting since back in 2015.

Four years later, Mahase and the George Subraj Family Foundation couldn’t be happier that the movie, which fulfills their beloved George Subraj’s vision, has come to fruition.
“This film was a passion project of my father for several years. To see his dream come to life… that encompasses his life experiences as a Guyanese-American from the area of Bel Air, is truly awe inspiring,” his daughter, Jasmine Subraj, told the press at the movie’s launch.

Speaking inside the Caribbean Cinemas Party Hall, at Giftland Mall, the daughter offered that her father’s hard work, determination, and giving personality, has left a mark and continues to drive their family to continue his work and legacy, both professionally and in their charitable pursuits.

Mr. Subraj’s wife, Nowatee Subraj, also spoke well of her husband, as she noted how honest and successful he was as a businessman. “He gave over 25 years to Guyana, the place he loved so much…in health…and the educational field. He was a strong cultural man because he believed in the development of art,” she fondly recalled.

Mr. Mahase, writer and director of the movie, offered that the film was made by Guyanese to the United States’ level of production. Known for his many medical missions in Guyana, Subraj, as a New York resident, developed a huge rental enterprise before he passed.
The film is therefore about the industry in Queens, New York, which is considered the expansive ‘melting pot’ capital of the USA. It reflects the business that Mr. Subraj ran and the struggles of people from all across the world who are seeking to rent an apartment in New York.

The movie was cast with all American actors who hail from different countries; some from Japan, Russia, and Argentina, who came together in this apartment building.
Mahase is relieved that the film finally made it to Guyana because he said he was stymied for about 18 months in trying to do so. “I was about to leave last year without pursuing it further because I felt there weren’t any opportunities or events,” he offered.

At this point, he encountered Assistant Manager of Caribbean Cinemas, Sherwin Bart, and explained how the film was all Guyanese. “For the first time, someone recognised the value of a Guyanese production from abroad, and his words were encouraging,” related Mahase.
“I wanted to do my part to get this to the big screen. This is a proud moment in our history where we have a film produced by a Guyanese to an American standard,” responded Bart.
The film will show four times daily for one week commencing July 25 at the Caribbean Cinemas.

Meanwhile, regarding local entertainers in the acting fraternity, Mahase praised them as an “extremely talented” team of young actors and actresses. “The pool is fascinating; comparable to anywhere in the world,” he expressed.

For them to better function, though, he said they need an organisation, “a proper head and system to say how we will operate. If we do not attach professionalism to talent, it will go in different directions, it will be diverse and it will be diluted.”

“So once they are to get a recognised body, the same way I was able to get my cast from a recognised body, then you will see how this talent pool will develop and grow. There is the talent, there is the passion; they just need a body to guide and structure them for success,” he added.