Contributed - Members of the 'Dance For Grace' cast.

Contributed - A scene from the 'Dance For Grace' film currently being shot in Jamaica

Fabian O'Hara, Star Writer

Tower Isle Productions, an independent film company based in Ft Lauderdale, is currently in the island filming the final chapter for their latest production, 'A Dance For Grace'.

A Dance For Grace, is centred around a caucasian lady, (Grace) played by Susan Lahout, from Connecticut who needs to undergo major surgery. But she is unable to afford it.

competition

A group of teenagers (Melpo Mouratidou, Francisca Fadda, Irene Deros, Alex Mallari, Brett Canfield and Adam French) decide to form a crew and enter a dance competition in hopes of financing the operation with the winnings.

The teens, under the watchful eye of their dance instructor, Ricky, a Jamaican, also a former drug dealer trying to make good for himself while on parole, finds it hard to capture the dance moves.

Opal, a friend of Ricky, encourages him to take them to Jamaica so they can experience the art form of the culture and nightlife of the Jamaican people.

The film will also focus on Jamaica's eco-tourism, as scenes have been shot on Mystic Mountain, Blue Mountain, Dolphin Cove and also on the Black River safari. In their efforts to master the arts, the teens spend time in Accompong Town with the Maroons, a name the team would adapt.

Several Jamaican dance crews will also feature in the film: Black Blingaz, who play themselves, along with Sample 6 and Caddilac Dancers, all of whom created original dance moves for the motion picture. Dancers from Dancing Dynamites will also be featured.

Joan Edwards, production manager for the project, has high hopes for the film. Just how high are these hopes?

"We expect this film to be the biggest dance drama since Saturday Night Fever, and that was huge," she told THE STAR.

"We must also extend our gratitude to the sponsors who came on board to make this project possible," she added.

positive light

Writer and director for A Dance For Grace, Junior Powell, echoed similar sentiments.

"Well, we don't want the film to be seen as just another Jamaican movie. We are aiming to shed a positive light on the country and dancehall on a whole. We want it to do well at the box office," he said.

In the final showdown, the 'Maroons' will face off against, 'Hot is Phenomenal' (HP) for the prize money.

Also featured in this film is Mass Gussie of the popular Jamaican TV series, Lime Tree Lane.

'We expect this film to be the biggest dance drama since Saturday Night Fever, and that was huge'.