Local filmmaker to 'explore truth' in Atlantis island film

INDIVIDUALLY, the tales of the Bermuda Triangle, Fountain of Youth, hollow Earth theory, and the lost city of Atlantis, all make for compelling storytelling.

But there are overlooked parallels between them, according to local filmmaker Paul Banseelal.

The director and producer at Total Chaos Productions plans on “exploring the truths” and correcting misconceptions about the legends” in an upcoming film titled, A Passage to Atlantis.

Banseelal plans to release a film, one of a three-part series, later this year or early 2023.

“Not everything you ever heard about Atlantis is true or relevant,” Banseelal told Newsday.

Total Chaos Productions will undertake the ambitious project, initially on a skeletal $500,000 budget, with a 20 per cent expected overrun.

The first instalment, with a two-hour running time, boasts “one of the most intelligent scripts produced in the Caribbean,” according to Banseelal.

The series culminates the director’s 27-plus years of research on the location of the mystical lost city of Atlantis.

Filming is scheduled to run from early August to late October and a shot list is being prepared for the movie, set solely on local soil.

Initially intended to take the form of a documentary, the direction changed to that of a mystery and adventure.

“The topics of the Lost City of Atlantis, Hollow Earth, Bermuda Triangle and the Fountain of Youth were always in question for the past five centuries,” said Banseelal.

“Hollow Earth was around since Edmond Hailey (English astronomer) in the 16th century, then became quite popular in the last few decades when Richard Bird (American explorer) flew into the opening North and then later the South Pole to relate an amazing story of advanced civilisation occupying there."

Atlantis, he claimed, “is still being searched for presently.

“If someone knows its location and the events that transpired 12,000 years ago, the world should be informed, and that’s what this movie is all about.”

The main cast comprises seven actors, most of whom have worked with Banseelal in his previous film and television programmes. There are also about 20 actors in less prominent or supporting roles and several additional extras.

Apart from the cast, the nearly 40-person technical team includes, cameramen, lighting technicians, sound engineers, a script director, a wardrobe and makeup director, editors and special effects personnel.

Addressing the initial $500,000 budget, Banseelal said, “That's the film being produced as cost-effective as possible and at the same time maintaining an international standard at every scene of the film.”

The plot begins with Christopher Columbus setting sail to the New World on his first voyage.

“He had a map of Atlantis which was associated with the gold of the Fountain of Youth. When he reached its location, of course, Atlantis had already disappeared but he named the body of water the Antilles,” Banseelal said.

“The map (Columbus) drew of the area and an island was later found centuries later by a history student who took it to her university professor. Soon afterwards a team of students and teachers at campus explores maps, diaries and other cues that lead to an adventure and expedition to a very small Caribbean island.

Mainstream sources, including Encyclopedia Britannica, however, indicate that although the origin is disputed, the term Antilles predates Columbus’ arrival.

Despite this, and some more disputable claims and fringe theories put forth by Banseelal, he insists the film will dive deep into “facts” surrounding Atlantis and the other unconventional subjects.

Ideally, the timing of the film’s release will align with international film festivals, and as ambitious as it may seem, he plans to enter one or more.

“The film will be entered at the World Film Festival where an international cinema distributor is expected to pick it up for distribution,” he said. Pavilion Entertainment, a regional distribution company that handled some of his previous projects, is “already on board for network and pay-per-view marketing.”

The nature of the film contrasts Banseelal’s previous releases in his over 30 years as an actor, playwright and stage director.

In 2018, he produced his first short film, A Christmas With the Ramsinghs, a comedy set in the 1960s, followed by two seasons of a spinoff television series, Life With the Ramsinghs.

The second season of Life With the Ramsinghs will soon be released to and marketed by Pavillion Entertainment.

Banseelal appears to have a point to prove with his latest project.

He said there are not many good writers and storytellers in the Caribbean.

“We are unable to produce good scripts and screenplay,” he told Newsday.

Not Total Chaos, though. Banseelal said he is capable of writing scripts quickly but has struggled in the past with the production side of film because of financial challenges and a lack of eager investors and sponsors.

Yet, he said the Caribbean has great potential for top movie productions because of its diverse culture, festivals and cuisine, he added.

Banseelal also spoke of simultaneous plans for numerous other releases.

He said Total Chaos will produce ten television series by the end of 2023, including eight comedy series, a horror series, and one crime/action series.

Additionally, Banseelal told Newsday, he and others will soon open a private training centre for actors titled the Caribbean Acting School of Talent, where they receive training at no cost to them with the intention of providing opportunities for prospective actors of all ages, genders and ethnicities for inclusion in Total Chaos’ upcoming projects.

“You would have thought the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, who will benefit greatly from the movies released, would have jumped on the opportunities to be involved but sadly they are not interested.

Banseelal accused the ministry and agencies, including FilmTT, of “lacking basic vision and in some cases (not having) a clue of the industry's need.”