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Miami Herald

Former soap star premieres film produced in Jamaica at Miami's Black Film Fest

When actress, producer and activist Victoria Rowell talks about telling stories on her own terms and one of her latest film projects , the response she often gets is usually one of bewilderment. 'A lot of people are so surprised when I introduce them to Jamaica,' says Rowell, once one of daytime's most beloved actresses for her nearly two-decade role as the iconic Drucilla Barber Winters on the CBS soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless.' 'They are astonished at the resources I'm talking about; the camera houses, the editing, the costume design, the two casting directors I know there. All of the assets are there, the boots are all on the ground.' Indeed, Jamaica may elicit mountains and waterfalls, but these days the Caribbean nation is also trying to showcase its cinematic potential and budding film industry. One of those films, 'Love Offside,' will premiere during the 29th annual American Film Festival on Friday at O Cinema in Miami Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival, founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday and sponsored by HBO, has become a crucial launchpad for those seeking to tell stories on their own terms. Shot entirely in Jamaica, 'Love Offside,' tells the romantic story of a physical therapist developing feelings for her patient, a rugby star. Rowell served as a producer on the film and also stars as the mother of the female lead, Camille Hart, played by Judi Johnson, with whom Rowell has collaborated several times over the years. The other lead character is Mike Merrill. The production company behind the film is The Limners and Bards Limited or The LAB, which has been raising funds to support Jamaica's local film industry. LAB managing director is Kimala Bennett has been pushing to meet the needs of those seeking locally grown stories. She and Rowell have known each other for several years. 'One of the big conversations that Kimala and I always would have is I say 'Kimala the name of the game is creating your own content so you are in control of the licensing opportunities globally,'' Rowell said. 'This is the economic chasm that needs to be closed in terms of' intellectual property ownership and that takes time. Rowell has been visiting Jamaica since 1979 and considers the Caribbean nation to be a second home. She's been working with the production company in Jamaica for almost a decade. And equally important, she said, 'I just appreciate the organic nature of doing production in Jamaica.' From soap opera actress to independent filmmaker The author of the New York Times bestselling 2007 memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me' about her upbringing in foster care, Rowell gained fame in a nearly 20-year run as the feisty Drucilla, an illiterate runway teen turn who later became a glamorous model and married Neil Winters on 'The Young and the Restless.' Her character was a regular from 1990 to 2007 and was finally written off the show in 2017 after Drucilla disappeared over a cliff but her body was never found. After her daytime run, she starred in several other movies but became known for her fight for racial equality in the daytime soap industry. These days it's independent films and boutique productions that inspire her. Prior to this week's premier, Rowell starred in the stage adaptation of 'Jason's Lyric: Live in Detroit. 'I'm 66-years-old and at this point in my career, I'm looking at the next 20 years. I want to do projects that make me happy, that make me laugh that gives me a sense of fulfillment,' she said, 'working with like-minded people that want the knowledge I have if I'm asked, and being able to pass the baton, because in passing the baton and sharing knowledge that is reciprocity, it's a big thank you. So maybe it is a smaller production, and that's okay.' Rowell who creates content of her own under her own company, Days Ferry Productions, said she loves 'boutique production, as long as the script is good, the people are good.' 'I'll continue to do other projects as well, but I love independent projects,' she said. 'There's more artistic freedom, less people telling the producers what to do.' Rowell's second film screening at the ABFF is 'The Secret Between Us,' which was directed and written by Tamera Hill. Rowell stars alongside Michael Jai White and Karen Abercrombie. Rowell plays the character of Maxine, a hired private nurse who finds herself thrown into the middle of a family drama after someone knocks on the door. 'There's levity in the movie, and she has her opinions and some advice throughout the movie,' said Rowell adding that she enjoyed the script. The goal with both films is the same, Rowell said, to get a licensing or several licensing deals. 'The American Black Film Festival, which is founded by husband and wife team, Jeff and Nicole Friday, they are about, yes, screening content but connecting executives, connecting filmmakers,' she said. 'It is the largest black film festival in the nation and it offers opportunities to get your IP shown and licensed or sold.'