– After years in music, Guyanese creative Courtney Noel turns to cinema with a culturally grounded Western

FOR Guyanese filmmaker and musician Courtney Noel, known for the Guyanese classic, ‘I Love My Golden Arrowhead’, the journey to the big screen is less of a departure and more of a return. Long before music, before stages and accolades, his first passion was film. Now, years later, that passion is taking shape in an ambitious new project: ‘Bushmaster: A Modern Day Pepperpot Western’, set against the sweeping landscapes of Lethem. Drawing from personal experience, cultural identity, and a deep appreciation for Guyana’s evolving story, Noel’s film seeks to do more than entertain; it aims to reflect.

Speaking to the Pepperpot Magazine this week, Noel said that while he is most known for his music, his love for film is equally vibrant. Growing up in the heart of Guyana, Noel was fascinated by film from an early age. Music, however, seemed to run in his family, and he soon found himself invested in it, becoming one of the most well-known voices in Guyanese music. “Film was actually my first love, film before music. As I got older, I started singing because my sister sang, and I was trying to play catch-up. Eventually, God blessed me with something that resembled a voice, because before that, I was a horrible singer. When I hit my teens, I just started finding my voice.”

After venturing to New York in his early years, Noel continued making music, gaining several accolades both in and out of Guyana. While he gained popularity for his music, Noel remained drawn to film, and in 2019, he took his first step onto the big screen, landing a small role in the film ‘See You Tomorrow’. Noel worked with some notable names in film, including the legendary Spike Lee. Sharing his experience, he stated, “In 2019, I finally made the jump to the screen. I was involved in a film called See You Yesterday, directed by Stefon Bristol and produced by Spike Lee for Netflix. That experience was incredible. Being on set, seeing how everything works up close, and even contributing small cultural insights was very rewarding. The film ended up reaching millions of households, and even though my role was small, it allowed me to really understand the process and get inspired.”

His experience in film sparked Noel’s passion for creating his own film. During some downtime following the release of See You Tomorrow, Noel watched several Western films, becoming increasingly captivated by the genre. While he had long wanted to create a Western film of his own, the idea of basing it in Guyana came to him while he visited Lethem. “I had written screenplays before, but I always wanted to make a Western. Lethem, for me, is a ready-made Western set. You don’t have to build anything, the cattle, the vaqueros, the ranches, the scenery, the Kanuku Mountains, it’s all there.” Ahead of writing the film, Noel immersed himself in the culture, community, and life in Lethem. “I went to Lethem to really experience it for myself. I ate there, I drank there, I slept there, I met the people. And right away, the characters started coming to life. The words started jumping off the page. I realised I knew these characters, and I brought that into the screenplay.”

That idea, born almost two years ago, has been under development since. The film’s plot revolves around a ruthless Guyanese cattle baron who, while seeking redemption, is visited by a childhood friend who falls in love with his bitter wife, who has been plotting her escape for years. The film asks: Will desperate lovers fulfil their romantic desires before tragedy strikes? Vibrant, captivating, dramatic, and immersive, the film aims to move its audience. As Noel explained, the film is largely set in Lethem, with a few scenes shot elsewhere. “The film will be shot primarily in Lethem, with some scenes in New York and Georgetown. Lethem provides a unique setting with its own rhythm, discipline, and way of life, and I want to showcase that authentically,” he said.

More than the theatrical emphasis, ‘Bushmaster’ seeks to express the essence of Guyanese culture and community. As Noel explained, the production will be brought to life by an entirely Guyanese cast and backed by a truly Guyanese soundtrack. “The idea is to show the world what Guyana looks like, specifically Lethem. When people think of Guyana, they think of Kaieteur Falls or oil and gas. Before, they thought of Jonestown. But this is a new Guyana.”

Reflecting on his time in Lethem, Noel noted that Guyana is more diverse than most would think, and his goal is to showcase that diversity, coupled with what it means to be Guyanese. “What I saw in Lethem was the warmth of the people, the camaraderie, the resilience, that is the Guyana I know. That’s what I want to highlight. Even with all the development and change, those human qualities remain the same, and I don’t want to see that part lost,” he said.

The film is still in development. After the release of the production’s trailer, which featured some of Guyana’s best in theatre and acting, Noel said the film is now being shaped. Admitting that it is a slow process, he added that progress has been made and that people have expressed their interest. The trailer for Bushmaster was shown at a rodeo and received positive reviews. This support, Noel shared, is what has pushed him to continue production. “We are not coming in to change anything. We are coming to respect the culture, to engage, to learn, and to tell a story that is authentic to Lethem. The film will reflect real language, real experiences, and real people,” he said.

As production continues with the help of new partners and sponsors, Noel and his team at Golden Arrowhead Productions remain motivated and dedicated to completing the project, despite the challenges. While hurdles in finance, logistics, and resources have caused some delays, Noel said that he and his team remain committed to making the story of ‘Bushmaster’ a reality. “Producing something like this is not easy. But I have a small, highly motivated team that is pushing this vision forward. We are reaching out to companies, banks, and sponsors because the project requires significant resources, transportation, accommodation, aviation. But I believe people will see the value, especially in terms of tourism and cultural promotion.”

While Noel and those involved in the film continue to work towards making it a reality, he noted that at its core, Bushmaster is about telling a Guyanese story. The aim, currently, is to secure a guest appearance by an international actor of Guyanese heritage; however, this requires funding. Regardless, he said production will continue as long as his vision remains alive. “This project is groundbreaking. People have shot content in Lethem before, but not a feature film like this. It’s both a challenge and an honour to do something of this scale and to present Lethem and Guyana to the world in this way.”