PLANS are in the works for a film based on the life of Roman Catholic priest Monsignor Richard Albert. American actor David Arquette was in Jamaica last week completing research to prepare for the role of the much-loved monsignor in a film titled Redemption, produced by music and film insider Wayne Jobson.

Arquette, who was on his second trip to the island, told the Sunday Observer that he became associated with the project due to a relationship over many years with Jobson and his brother Brian. “He (Jobson) invited me to come down and see the real Jamaica, so we were in Ocho Rios, went to the beach and the river and that was incredible. It’s my first time in Kingston and I was with Monsignor, who took us around to the various schools and programmes he started in Riverton and other places,” said Arquette.

He continued that the script was written about 15 years ago and currently the team is putting the final pieces together to get the film made. No date has been set just yet for the production which will be shot on location here in Jamaica. The actor, who is best known for his work in Scream (1996) and Eight Legged Freaks (2002), was pleased with the plans for the Jamaica Film Festival which was launched in New Kingston on Wednesday evening.

“It’s a great thing that Jamaica can showcase its worth as a film destination… there is so much to show here and the festival should take this industry to the level where it wants to go… it’s really great stuff,” said Arquette. The actor noted that he was first introduced to Jamaica through the indigenous music ska and this drew him into more of the music that comes from Jamaica.

“Believe it or not, ska was the first music that brought Jamaica to my attention. I just love that music, but it then introduced me to the early Wailers sound and all music from that time. It’s just a great vibe that I get from the music.” Arquette said he returns to the US to complete work on a film, as well as do some stage work during the summer months.