TWO film series designed to mark the impact of sugar on the Jamaican society, politics and economy from colonial rule to Independence were recently launched by the Government and The University of the West Indies (UWI), joint owners and producers of the project.

The series — Sugar Cane: Recycling Sweetness and Power in Modern Jamaica, and Ms Sugga — emerged from a 2012 concept designed by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) and were originally slated for relase in time for the commemoration of the Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence.

According to The UWI, Sugar Cane: Recycling Sweetness and Power in Modern Jamaica is told with special emphasis on the struggles of sugar workers and the Jamaican State for freedom, development and justice.

“The series promotes a discussion that propels the future of the sugar industry in Jamaica and highlights the frontiers and values such as green energy, ethanol, molasses, wood, etcetera,” the university stated in a release.

The four episodes making up the series are: Flames of Protest; Power Plan; Shifting Tides and Changing Fortunes; and The Dream, The Promise and The Future.

Ms Sugga, The UWI explained, is told as a journey travelled by a wise African chief called Tacky. Ms Sugga is a feisty animated sugar cane stalk who travels back in time with two children in search of sugar cane molasses. However, they get caught in Jamaica’s turbulent history.

The film combines live action with historical and archival footage of the sugar cane industry and history in Jamaica designed to creatively introduce this history to the island.

“The sugar industry will always have an impact on our nation. It is intertwined with the social and economic sectors of our society and drives growth,” Professor Archibald McDonald, principal and pro vice-chancellor for the UWI Mona campus, is quoted as saying at the launch.

“This project is to create a better understanding of how the industry has affected both the old and new generations, and to gain a better understanding of how sugar was to our ancestors. The film will aid in shining light on our sugar industry and how it played a part in our heritage and identity,” he added.

State minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information Floyd Green agreed. “This is an extremely necessary project to Jamaica and we are excited for the total production,” he said.

“This film series will be a great asset to the Government of Jamaica in its effort to enhance teaching and learning in our revised curriculum reform process. The content, history, heritage, and methodology will strive for teaching improvements and engagement in the subjects of social studies, history, geography, and our identity as a people,” he added.

According Dr Patricia Northover, senior fellow at SALISES, Sugar Cane: Recycling Sweetness and Power in Modern Jamaica was created for an adult audience, while the animation film Ms Sugga is primarily for children aged 7-12 years.

“ Ms Sugga has great potential to become a major television film series that would greatly aid our animation industry on the global map, and the project is also useful for the younger generation to embrace. The animation allows the younger generation to convey concepts and information in a newer way and will enhance the culture of Jamaica,” she stated.

Ms Sugga is written and developed by Mary Wells and Dr Northover. The animation was done by Level II HEART Trust/NTA students. The cost for the project was approximately $37 million.