April 07, 2022 – (Toronto, ON) “HERO” the raw and inspirational story inspired by the life and times of Ulric Cross (Philip Louis Ulric Cross) is returning home. The Frances-Anne Solomon film made a triumphant & highly anticipated return to Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) with a Gala Red Carpet Screening, April 7, 2022 , that streamed live on the twin republic’s national station TT Live Online The never seen before “new Director’s Cut” version of “HERO” screened at Movie Towne in Port of Spain before opening in cinemas nationwide. The film is produced by CaribbeanTales Media Group and Imagine Media International Limited with support from Telefilm Canada.
Republic Bank Limited is “HERO’S T&T Gala Platinum and Presenting Sponsor, as part of their ‘Power to Make a Difference program.’ Republic Bank’s Manager, Nigel Baptiste says, “HERO” tells a story about an ordinary man enduring the pain of obstacles and finding the strength to persevere. Mr. Cross found the power within him, the power to succeed and champion his way through arduous times. This awe-inspiring movie acts as a blueprint on how we can use resilience to overcome life’s many challenges.”
“HERO” inspired by the remarkable and adventurous life of Ulric Cross, created a buzz in Hollywood when it opened the 2020 Pan African Film and Arts Festival, coming on the end of a successful 50-city tour of England, Scotland and Wales, with additional screenings in Durban, the US and Canada’s Bell TIFF Lightbox. “HERO” was picked up by Amazon Prime, Showtime, Showtime Online and Cineplex.com in Canada before heading to the Cannes Film Market. The demand kept coming, even as cinemas closed around the world & life for filmmakers drastically changed due to the pandemic. “HERO” will be making its Netflix debut this Spring.
“We had to switch gears immediately to the virtual space and build on the momentum that existed. Everyone wanted the film. I felt so pleased to see the reaction of people from all walks of life around the world.”
Frances-Anne Solomon,
Director member of the Academy
HERO’s’s Director
“HERO’s worldwide appeal comes from a wide cross-section of society, those committed to social change, the academic and the adventurer, the embodiment of Ulric Cross, a true hero. A story of love, loss, rejection, and redemption, laid out meticulously by Frances-Anne Solomon. By the brilliant use of archival footage mixed with shot drama, Frances-Anne tells Cross’s story with authenticity and dignity. This film celebrates resilience, so appropriate for this time. Fans have been waiting, calling, and messaging, when is “HERO” returning?” … Executive Producer, Lisa Wickham.
HERO was filmed in Canada, Ghana, the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. It was brought to life through an international cast that includes, Trinidad’s Nickolai Salcedo in the lead role of Ulric Cross, Peter Williams (Stargate SG1), British actor Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Jimmy Akingbola (The Fresh Prince of Bel Air Reboot) and Ghanaian stars John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang and Prince David Oseia
Financial support for “HERO” came from ordinary individuals committed to this inspirational story, as well as agencies such as Telefilm Canada, The Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Canada Council of the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, Sports and Culture Fund, FilmTT, National Gas Company, NLCB and the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority.
Frances-Anne Solomon
A Trailblazer in the film and television industry, Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning writer, producer, director, curator and distributor in film, television and radio. She started her professional life at the BBC in England before relocating to Canada where in 2001, she founded the CaribbeanTales Media Group. The group produces, exhibits, and distributes Caribbean-themed content from around the world. Frances-Anne’s work as a director includes feature films What My Mother Told Me, Peggy Su! and A Winter Tale, and the series Lord Have Mercy, and Heartbeat. Her most recent film Hero: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life & Times of Mr Ulric Cross has won many international awards and is currently available on platforms worldwide.. Solomon is a Director member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Directors Guild of Canada, and BAFTA.
About CaribbeanTales Media Group
CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG) is a multifaceted group of media companies that produces, markets, and sells culturally diverse film and television content from the Caribbean and its wide Diaspora. Founded by Frances-Anne Solomon, CTMG includes: CaribbeanTales Inc., a registered Canadian Charity, CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, a film distribution entity, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival celebrating 16 years, CaribbeanTales-TV, a VOD streaming service, the Creators of Colour Incubator, a year-round development and production hub, and CaribbbeanTalesFlix, our production arm. In 2014, Frances-Anne Solomon founded CineFAM, to amplify the voices of women of colour creators worldwide. In 2020, the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival launched, a UK based charity co-founded by CaribbeanTales-UK.
About Imagine Media International Ltd:
Imagine Media International Limited is a full-service, production Company, based in Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa. Founded by award-winning, Producer-Director & Media Personality Lisa Wickham, the Company creates content across all media platforms. Imagine Media has developed and coordinated projects in Europe, North America, Africa, and several Caribbean countries, working on projects for agencies such as Warner Brothers/COMPLEX, ITV-UK, VIACOM/VH1, Hungry Eyes Media, Canada, MTV-UK and Bobbcat Films, TV-One and BET in the US.
Watch “HERO” Trailer:
https://vimeo.com/283811851
Follow “HERO” Movie:
INSTAGRAM: @hero_film
