'Hit for Six' - Exposing our cricket culture
review by IAN BEST
The stars came out in their numbers last Wednesday night to witness the World Premiere of the 1st Caribbean feature length cricket movie, Hit for Six!
From 7.p.m., the lights were flashing and onlookers gathered to get a glimpse of the many celebrities who made their way onto the red carpet at the Olympus Theatres, Sheraton Centre in Barbados.
Inside, the reception hall was packed and abuzz with anticipation as a virtual "who's who" of Barbados' society turned up for the event, in addition to many of the game's finest cricketers. After the main stars arrived, we were all ushered into the theatre for the start of the movie written, directed and produced by Allison Saunders-Franklin.
When we took our seats there was a feeling of anticipation, as we saw the first images of Andrew Pilgrim larger than life on screen as Alex “Nellie” Nelson a maligned Barbadian cricketer, who lost his place on the West Indies team after a string of poor performances. He plays the son of the fictitious former West Indies cricketing icon Colin Thompson, who himself lost his place on the team due to a racial altercation with a white cricketer in the mid seventies.
Their relationship is strained, but during the course of the story this relationship is strengthened as Thompson, admirably played by Rudolph Walker of East Enders fame, tries to coach his son back onto the team. Allison Sealy-Smith also turns in an impressive performance as Alex Nelson’s mother, showing why she is so highly regarded in this part of the world. 
The road back to the team for Nellie is not easy however, since his current playmate played by Empress Jeanille (of Tempo fame) just happens to be the former girlfriend of the Indian born West Indies coach (Nirmal Thani). His true love however is the reporter Janelle, so wonderfully and honestly played by Varia Williams, who supports him through his struggles, even risking her job to safeguard their relationship. Added to this he also faces charges of match fixing through his association with a bookie.
In so many ways this movie explores themes of forgiveness, jealousy and spiritual renewal whilst reflecting the imagery of our own Caribbean experiences through the Spiritual Baptists in Barbados, Carnival in Trinidad, our beaches and our cuisine. It also illustrates how team selections can be influenced by prominent persons’ personal agendas, board members and even well known commentators. It is also quite refreshing to see Fazeer Mohammed, Andrew Mason, Gordon Brooks and Tony Cozier playing themselves along with the Cricket Legends of Barbados and entertainers like Allison Hinds. 
The production’s quality is surprisingly good for a first time effort. Good camerawork is complemented with a lovely score by Grammy Award nominee Nicholas Brancker and full marks must go Mrs Saunders-Franklin for making this bold step to expose the inner world of cricket culture to the fans of the game in the Caribbean and the wider world.
One drawback though is that the film did not really focus too much on the game of cricket itself. Although there were scenes of cricket matches, I did not feel the tension and excitement that a cricket game brings and Andrew Pilgrim doesn’t exactly portray the qualities of a genuine batsman of class.
However, I do look forward to seeing the film again when I can step back and enjoy it for what it is -- a gem we can truly call our own.
After the showing, I had a chance to speak with a few persons and asked their reaction to the movie:
Miss Varia Williams (Actress playing “Janelle”) responding to the question: How did it feel seeing yourself on the big screen?
It kind of blows your mind actually….I realised at the end of the whole showing that I was tense the entire time, and when it was over my shoulders just dropped, and I was like “Thank God!” but I made it through to the end. It was kind of a weird feeling…, I am kind of emotional and at times I wanted to cry…. I am relieved that people seemed to like it.
Mr. Paul Skinner, Commercial Manager of the West Indies Cricket Board:
I think the movie was a good effort from Allison. It was an enjoyable movie and it just shows that we have talent in the Caribbean and hopefully people can use it as an example to produce other feature pictures. Cricket is very popular in the Caribbean, and when the reviews come out after this showing I think it will do well in the Caribbean.
Hon. Mia Mottley, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados:
Tonight we saw a presentation of that which all of us have been hoping and wanting and dreaming about, for our life as an independent nation…. simply that our story must be told.
Mr. Rawle Brancker, Cricket Legend of Barbados:
I thought it had a good West Indian cricket story. There were several boys like that youngster (Nelson) who had talent, had the dream but weren’t particularly ready to work towards the dream and I think that depicted that. It should be very instructive to a lot of panels and a lot of young cricketers as well.
I think the world is going to receive it warmly. Maybe no one has ever depicted so clearly what is depicted in this movie and what I like about it as well, is that it shows a new dimension to cricket. It moves towards the industry that I have always seen cricket to be and this is a new revenue stream. I just hope it does well enough that we can continue to develop more movies of this kind and just flood the world with them and create a new niche for Barbados in its export drive and in its foreign exchange earning.
* For more information on this movie please visit the website www.hitforsix.com.