Frank E. Flowers Honoured at ‘One Love’ Premiere

By Stuart Wilson

Minister for Culture, the Honourable Dwayne Seymour donning dreadlocks, was joined by members of the Third World Band, local musicians and other dignitaries during the launch of the “One Love” - Bob Marley Biopic at Camana Bay on 15th February.

The gathering was also an opportunity to recognise filmmaker Frank E. Flowers who was one of the screenwriters to contributed to the film, along with Terence Winter.

During his remarks, Mr. Seymour said he considered Frankie’s achievements in the world of the arts and film to be among the highest honours to be bestowed on one of Cayman’s very own and explained that the filmmaker’s efforts were truly appreciated by the people of the Cayman Islands.

Mr. Seymour noted that even during the Covid-19 pandemic, arrangements were made for ‘Frankie’ - as he is know by most locals - to bring some of Hollywood’s brightest young actors to the Cayman Islands for the filming of various projects.

In acknowledging the merit of his work and dedication a special, Minister Seymour presented both Mr. Flowers and Mr. Winters with a special award for the arts in the form of a sculpture made by renowned artist Horacio Esteban.

“When I was growing up in the 70’s, you couldn’t mention the name ‘Bob Marley’ in my house and today the we are all here at this place because of what this man stood for”, said Mr. Seymour.

In accepting his award, Mr. Flowers took the opportunity to shout out others in the arena of arts in the Cayman Islands and noted that their efforts were just as worthy.

“There is so much talent here in the Cayman Islands and some of those people are here with us today. I am here today because I have been lucky in so many respects and I want to thank God for his many blessings,’ he noted.

Mr. Flowers said he was profoundly humbled to have had the privilege of being a part of the “One Love” Biopic and was touched by the outpouring of support for the film, adding that he expected nothing less for a man of Marley’s magnitude and explained that he and everyone who worked on the film were mindful of the huge responsibility they had in conveying Bob’s life on the big screen.

This is not Frank E. Flower’s first time working with the Marleys, as the filmmaker also directed the “Road to Zion” music video for Damian ‘Junior Gong’ Marley; the youngest son of the Bob Marley.

It was also fitting that Stephen Cat Coore from the Third World Band, who were in the Cayman Islands to celebrate the occasion with a sold out concert at the Agricultural Grounds, was in the audience along with other members of the band.

Mr. Coore was a great friend of Bob Marley’s and when Marley was shot in an assassination attempt just before the Smile Jamaica concert during the political unrest in Jamaica in 1976, ‘Cat Coore’ joined him on stage, despite the danger and threat of more violence when the band’s guitarist did not appear for the concert.

After the reception and award ceremony in Gardenia Court, the audience made the short trek to the Camana Bay Cinema, where they were enthralled by the riveting two hour portrayal of the life of a man the world has come to love and celebrate more so than any other artist.

The film was a glimpse into the spirit of Bob Marley and the inner workings of how his life unfolded.

One can clearly see that the evolution of his career and legacy has been one of not only musical significance but also spiritual and humanitarian.

Bob Marley was truly a man of the people with a heart for the human condition and his mission was greater than himself. His life bared all of the hallmarks of the heroes’ journey and he connected every dot along the way, by allowing himself to be led by his faith and grounding in Rastafari and the teachings of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Hailie Selassie.

As the film crescendoed into its final scenes, the audience was transported into a deeper level of consciousness and the reality that his wife Rita Marley was hugely responsible for supporting and nurturing his vision, journey and legacy to what it is today.

Both Frankie Floors and Terence Winters sat down to answer a myriad of questions from an eager audience, who were curious to know as much as they could about Bob Marley, the process of filming the movie and the men’s thoughts on the work they had helped to make a reality.

“Ziggy was the Maestro from inception,” noted Mr. Flowers.

He said the filmmakers wanted the film to be as authentic as possible and trying to portray someone as impactful as Bob Marley was like threading a thin needle.

“From the initial meetings in Ziggy’s living room we knew we had a sacred and monumental task before us,” said the men.

“He transcended the ideal of nations, race and so many of the other things that divide us said Mr. Flowers, who added that it was also a special honour for him to be a part of the movie in more than one way because his grandfather was from Jamaica.

He added that his favourite scene in the movie was when Bob received a ring from the Solomonic Dynasty, which was a poetically fitting gesture by virtue of the cause for which he had lived his life.

For over 22 years there has been discussions about a Bob Marley biopic but Frankie noted that once Ziggy was involved he knew it would get done.

Terence Patrick Winter is an American writer and producer of television and film. He is the creator, writer, and executive producer of the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire. as a writer and executive producer for the HBO television series The Sepranos.