CaribPR Wire » Frances Anne Solomon https://caribpr.com Official PR Wire Of The Caribbean Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:26:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 T&T’s “HERO” LANDS IN NEW YORK https://caribpr.com/tt%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d-lands-in-new-york/ https://caribpr.com/tt%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d-lands-in-new-york/#comments Mon, 20 May 2019 13:00:50 +0000 caribpr http://caribpr.com/?p=13895 The Extraordinary Life and Times of Trinidad’s Ulric Cross Opens

The New York African Film Festival at Film at Lincoln Center

For Immediate Release:

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY, Mon. May 20, 2019: Director Frances-Anne Solomon’s acclaimed feature film HERO inspired by Trinidad and Tobago war hero Ulric Cross will have its U.S premiere at the 26th New York African Film Festival’s (NYAFF) Opening Night at the prestigious Film at Lincoln Center. It takes place on Thursday, May 30 at 6:30pm at the Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street, NY.

“We are honored to be opening this important festival,” says Solomon. “This is a story that resonates with audiences around the world. From his career in the Air Force, to his time as a lawyer and judge working behind the scenes in the independence movements of Ghana, Cameroon and Tanzania, Ulric’s life blazed a trail that inspires us all.”

HERO headlines NYAFF’s recognition of the 100th anniversary of the first Pan-African Congress with a showcase of films about Pan-Africanism and global game changers. Cross left Trinidad in 1941 to become the RAF’s ’s most decorated West Indian navigator. But his life took a different course when, along with a number of other notable West Indians, he followed the call of history and joined the Pan-African and independence movements sweeping the world in the ’50s and ’60s.

“As we celebrate 50 years of FESPACO, which paralleled the independence movements of Africa, we have to remember that achieving our liberation was integrally tied to the diaspora. In HERO we get a slice of how our diasporan counterparts advocated for the liberation of the Continent,” said Mahen Bonetti, African Film Festival, Inc., Executive Director and NYAFF Founder. “I want to thank Frances-Anne for shedding light on such a pivotal moment in our history.”

Since the HERO World tour began in February, the film has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike in Toronto, Trinidad and the UK:

“HERO is an electrifying, dramatic motion picture, filled with twists and turns that will thrill audiences across the globe.” - Stephen Weir, Caribbean Camera

“Filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon …deserves lavish praise for showcasing an historical legend, and for helping to change the negative stereotypical portrayal of people of African descent on the screen.”

HERO boasts an all-star international cast that includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicolai Salcedo, in the lead role of Ulric Cross, alongside UK stars Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Fraser James (Resident Evil), Pippa Nixon (John Carter), Canada’s Peter Williams (Stargate SG1), and Ghanaian superstars John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang and Prince David Oseia.

A second screening will take place on June 2nd at 4:15pm at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65th Street.  Both screenings will include a Q&A afterward with the director.

The New York African Film Festival is co-presented by Film at Lincoln Center and African Film Festival, Inc., and runs May 30 to June 4; more information at filmlinc.org.

For media inquiries and interviews with Frances-Anne Solomon contact:

Fennella Bruce |647.290.76.10 | fennella@fkbmedia.com

BUY MAY 30TH TICKETS HERE

BUY JUNE 2nd TICKETS HERE

Watch HERO trailer here

Social media:

Facebook: @Hero4Alltime

Instagram: @Hero_Film

Twitter: @Hero_Film

Visit the HERO Website

About Film at Lincoln Center

Film at Lincoln Center is dedicated to supporting the arts and elevating the craft of cinema and enriching film culture.

Film at Lincoln Center fulfills its mission through the programming of festivals, series, retrospectives, and new releases; the publication of Film Comment; the presentation of podcasts, talks, and special events; the creation and implementation of Artist Initiatives; and our Film in Education curriculum and screenings. Since its founding in 1969, this nonprofit organization has brought the celebration of American and international film to the world-renowned arts complex Lincoln Center, making the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broad audience, and ensuring that it remains an essential art form for years to come.

Film at Lincoln Center receives generous, year-round support from The New York Times, Shutterstock, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on Twitter and Instagram.

About African Film Festival, Inc.

For 29 years, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video. AFF’s unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management but also by a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with Film at Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually by the African Film Festival, Inc. and Film at Lincoln Center, in association with the Brooklyn Academy of Music. AFF also produces a series of local, national and international programs throughout the year. More information about AFF can be found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org.

About Frances-Anne Solomon

Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, curator and entrepreneur in film, TV, Radio and new media. Following a successful career as a TV Drama Producer and Executive Producer with the BBC in England, she launched the CaribbeanTales Media Group in Canada and Barbados, that now includes production/distribution, and training worldwide. Full bio can be found at www.francesannesolomon.com

About CaribbeanTales Media Group

CaribbeanTales (CTMG) is a group of media companies that produces, markets, and exhibits Caribbean-themed films for Regional and international distribution, including CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, CaribbeanTales Inc – a registered Charity in Canada. Activities include The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, now in its 14th year; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers; Caribbeantales-TV a VOD streaming service for Caribbean films; and CaribbeanTalesFlix, their production arm. More info at www.caribbeantales.org

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]]> https://caribpr.com/tt%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d-lands-in-new-york/feed/ 0 FILM REVIEW: Capitalism, Colonization and a Caribbean “HERO” https://caribpr.com/film-review-capitalism-colonization-and-a-caribbean-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d/ https://caribpr.com/film-review-capitalism-colonization-and-a-caribbean-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d/#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2019 14:00:27 +0000 caribpr http://caribpr.com/?p=13812

“I believe we as Caribbean people are comfortable travelling, even if it’s only in our imaginations. We’re always restless. There’s always that sense of movement and of going somewhere that I think goes back to that first journey from Africa.  It explains a lot to me about myself as well, because I definitely see myself as a global citizen.”

A ByBlacks.com Exclusive Interview with Director Frances-Anne Solomon

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Canada, Thurs. Feb. 14, 2019: Frances-Anne Solomon is an artistic force to be reckoned with. As the director of CaribbeanTales and the International Film festival of the same name, she has grown the entity into a globally recognized institution that gives voice to filmmakers throughout the Caribbean diaspora.

She has several film, radio, and television credits to her impressive portfolio, and remains as prolific as ever with the release of Hero. The film cleverly weaves narrative voice over, documentary style footage, and cinematic drama to tell the story of Ulric Cross; a decorated Trinidadian WWII veteran who becomes one of the many Caribbean lawyers drafted into the 1960’s African liberation movement.

In an interview with Frances-Anne, she shared her thoughts about the movement, the challenges of making the film, and even though “the ground hard”, mining for truth is essential. Read the full interview here on ByBlacks.com.

The HERO World Tour kicks off at TIFF Bell Lightbox February 28th 7pm. There will be an Encore Screening at Westdale Cinema, Hamilton, on March 6th at 6.30pm, in celebration of Ghana Independence Day.

HERO – A PAN AFRICAN TALE

Filmed in Trinidad, Ghana, the UK and Canada, HERO is the story of Ulric Cross, who in 1941, left his small island to seek his fortune, and became the Royal Air Force’s most decorated West Indian. Then his life took a dramatically different course when he followed the call of history. He joined the African independence movements sweeping the world in the 50s and 60s.

Toronto’s Canadian premiere launches screenings across Canada and a cinematic world tour that includes Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe.
]]> https://caribpr.com/film-review-capitalism-colonization-and-a-caribbean-%e2%80%9chero%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Hero, First Black Caribbean Canadian-Made Feature Film Of 2019 Launches Into Limited Theatrical Release https://caribpr.com/hero-first-black-caribbean-canadian-made-feature-film-of-2019-launches-into-limited-theatrical-release/ https://caribpr.com/hero-first-black-caribbean-canadian-made-feature-film-of-2019-launches-into-limited-theatrical-release/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2019 15:00:34 +0000 caribpr http://caribpr.com/?p=13786 caribbeantales

CaribPR Wire, Toronto, ON, Tues. Jan. 29, 2019: The first Black, Caribbean-Canadian-made film of 2019 launches a limited theatrical release on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Caribbean-Canadian filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon’s internationally acclaimed feature film, HERO – Inspired By The Extraordinary Life & Times Of Ulric Cross, makes its Canadian theatrical premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, located at 350 King St. W., Toronto, ON. In celebration of HERO’s achievement, Ghanian superstar Adjetey Anang, and British rising star Eric Kofi Abrefa, (Snowden, The Harlots), are confirmed to attend along with lead actor, Trinidad and Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo and Canada’s Peter Williams, (Stargate SG1).
Trinidad & Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo, and Canada’s Peter Williams are joined by Britain’s Eric Kofi Abrefa and Ghana’s Adjetey Anang

“Frances-Anne Solomon has done so much to bring crucial stories from the African Diaspora to screen,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF’s Artistic Director and Co-Head. “Her portrayal of the Ulric Cross story illuminates an important chapter in Caribbean history. We’re honoured to present HERO at TIFF Bell Lightbox, in collaboration with CTFF.”

Filmed in Trinidad, Ghana, the UK and Canada, HERO is the story of Ulric Cross, who in 1941, left his small island to seek his fortune, and became the Royal Air Force’s most decorated West Indian. Then his life took a dramatically different course when he followed the call of history. He joined the African independence movements sweeping the world in the 50s and 60s.

Toronto’s Canadian premiere launches screenings across Canada and a cinematic world tour that includes Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

HERO’s all-star cast of top international Black actors in powerful roles, includes Joseph Marcell, (Fresh Prince of Belair) who plays Trinidadian author CLR James, and Fraser James’ (Terminator) as Trinidadian revolutionary George Padmore; British-Nigerian actor Jimmy Akingbola plays Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, and Adjetey Anang (Adam’s Apple, Potomanto) plays Congo’s ill-fated first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba.

Among the film’s strong female roles, Stratford Theatre’s rising star Jessica B Hill plays the role of Nicola Cross while Britain’s Pippa Nixon (John Carter, Unforgotten) plays Anne Cross, and Canada’s Valerie Buhagiar (Bad Blood, Murdoch Mysteries) plays the role of the co-antagonist, MI6 agent Daphne Park.

“HERO captures a transformative moment in Black global history. Securing a theatrical release for the film presents a significant opportunity for us to share our story with a broad and diverse audience. The film is important especially for young Black people to understand on whose broad shoulders we stand, to learn who led big lives and who were heroes,” says Frances-Anne Solomon, director and producer of HERO. “Launching at the prestigious TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre acknowledges the impact of this film on the Canadian theatre ecology and its capacity for exposure beyond the Caribbean and Africa.”
Click here to buy tickets

HERO Listing:

Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019

Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., Toronto, ON M5V 3X5

7:00 p.m.

Film Presentation: HERO – Inspired By The Extraordinary Life & Times Of Mr. Ulric Cross

9:15 p.m.

Talk Back with the actors

10:00 p.m.

After Party


Visit the HERO Website
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ABOUT FRANCES-ANNE SOLOMON

Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, curator and entrepreneur in film, TV, Radio and new media. Following a successful career as a TV Drama Producer and Executive Producer with the BBC in England,  she launched the CaribbeanTales Media Group in Canada and Barbados, that now includes production/distribution, and training worldwide. Frances-Anne has just completed her much-anticipated new feature,  HERO Inspired by the Extraordinary Life & Times Of Mr Ulric Cross, which (while in development) won Best Feature Pitch at Discop in 2016.

ABOUT CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP
CTMG is a group of media companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed films for regional and international distribution, including: CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, CaribbeanTales Inc –  a registered Charity in Canada, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival now in its 14th year, the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTII) a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers, Caribbeantales-TV a VOD  streaming service for Caribbean films; and CaribbeanTalesFlix, their production arm. For more information visit http://www.caribbeantales.ca/

Media Contact
Roger Dundas, 404 Media Group | 416.918.9045 | roger@404mgi.com
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