THE Canadian independent film, Home Again, has its Caribbean premiere Wednesday in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.

Home Again is co-written by Jamaican Jennifer Holness and Canadian-Jamaican David ‘Sudz’ Sutherland, who is also the director.

The drama is built around three persons who are deported from Canada, the United States and England to Jamaica, the land of their birth.

Home Again premiered last year at the Toronto International Festival.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer last week, Sutherland spoke about the importance of the film being shown in the Caribbean.

“I feel great that it is getting its Caribbean run. We are in talks for a premiere in Jamaica in June, then after that we go around the rest of the Caribbean,” Sutherland explained.

The film stars Tatyana Ali, best known for her role as Ashley on the sitcom, Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Ali has Trinidadian roots.

Jamaican Paul Campbell (Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop) plays Uncle Archie Morris. Guyana-born actress C C H Pounder and Canadian singer FeFe Dobson are the other main characters.

“It was very important for me to have Paul Campbell in the film. He is such a fine actor and a very humble man, he plays a great part in the film. We have two other Jamaican actors in the film, Kadeem Wilson and Richard Chevolleau,” Sutherland said.

Home Again cost US$4 million to make.

“That’s a low budget by Hollywood standards. People say its high quality, and thing is, we put every ounce of that budget on the screen,” said Sutherland, adding that the movie carries a strong message.

“It’s really about social injustice. It was an eight-year journey from idea to getting it on film. And then to work with these fantastic actors and crew. One of the most gratifying things is to hear people say that this film is authentic.”

Home Again was shot over 28 days (five in Jamaica) in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Canada.

Sutherland, who operates the Toronto-based production company Hungry Eyes Film &Television with Holness, said they got no support from local authorities.

“It was a crazy trip and we utilised a Jamaican crew and extras. We got no assistance from Jamaica for this film,” he said. “We had (set up) meetings with the minister of culture and they were cancelled. The film commissioner was trying to help us but there was no assistance from the ministerial level. It takes money to make money and if you want to attract investors to your country you have to invest,” Sutherland said.

He pointed out that Home Again received financial assistance from Trinidad and Tobago.