ttff/15 to go Bazodee with world premiere of Machel Montano movie

For decades, soca superstar Machel Montano has enthralled listeners and audiences with his infectious music and electrifying live performances. Now, he makes the leap onto the silver screen with his motion-picture debut in the film Bazodee, which will have its world premiere at the 2015 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff/15).

The ttff is partnering with Monk Pictures, Indiepelago Films and FilmTT to bring Bazodee and members of its stellar cast to a T&T audience, on Wednesday 23 September from 8.00pm at the historic Globe Cinema in Port of Spain. The stars of the film will travel from India, the USA and the UK to be in Trinidad for the event. The screening will be followed by an after-party at Aria Lounge on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook.

Tickets for this special event will be on sale at the ttff office, 199 Belmont Circular Road, Belmont, from Friday 4 September. Tickets for the screening (only) cost $250, while tickets for the screening and after-party cost $350. To book your tickets call the Festival office at 621-0709, or email hello@ttfilmfestival.com.

Bazodee is a musical drama about a rugged soca singer (Lee, played by Montano) who falls for a beautiful young Indian woman (Anita, played by Natalie Perera, a London-born newcomer of Sri Lankan parentage). Anita happens to be engaged to Kumar, a man she doesn’t love (Staz Nair).

Anita is the daughter of Ram (Bollywood star Kabir Bedi), a secretly deep-in-debt businessman. When Anita encounters Lee, hired at the last minute to perform at her engagement party, sparks fly, and soon the two fall for each other.

Nikhil (UK-based T&T actor Valmike Rampersad), Anita’s malevolent, future brother-in-law, notices. Once he discovers the truth about Ram’s finances, Nikhil threatens to expose everything, forcing Anita to fight for the wealth that truly matters—love.

Bazodee also features acting talents of a number of other T&T actors, including Teneille Newallo, who plays Poorvi, Anita’s cousin; and Cindy F. Daniel, who plays Anita’s servant Lalima.

The long-anticipated Bazodee is directed by Todd Kessler, an award-winning American film and television writer, producer and director. He is the director of the feature film Keith (2008), and co-creator of Nickelodeon’s pre-school series Blue’s Clues.

The world-premiere screening of Bazodee will be preceded by an introduction from Todd Kessler, Machel Montano and Natalie Perera, as well as some of its co-stars. After the screening, patrons can head to Aria Lounge, where they will have the opportunity to mingle with the stars. Machel Montano will perform a short live set at the after-party.