JARULA WEGNER
On August 24, the celebrated Trinidadian writer Michael Anthony died at the age of 91.
Growing up in Mayaro, Anthony began writing poems and publishing these in local newspapers. To follow his dream of becoming a writer, he moved to England in 1954, where he worked at various jobs while joining a growing community of West Indian intellectuals who broadcast their works on the BBC’s radio programme Caribbean Voices.
Anthony submitted poetry and short stories to the programme until VS Naipaul recommended that he approach the publisher André Deutsch with a novel. Through Naipaul, Anthony achieved his first literary successes, including The Games Were Coming (1963), The Year in San Fernando (1965) and Green Days by the River (1967). These works quickly established him as a Caribbean writer who offered, in the words of CLR James, “something new, and native in the best sense of the word.”
On his return to the Caribbean, Anthony gave a lecture at the Caribbean Writers and Artists Convention in 1970 in Guyana. In his talk, Growing Up with Writing he commented on the difficulties of making a living as a writer in the Caribbean.
Anthony said, “I really think that the place of the West Indian artist is in the West Indies when the West Indies has developed sufficiently to really offer him a fair living. But this will not be in the near future, it won’t be in our time.”
Luckily, he was wrong. Almost 50 years later, when he gave one of his last long interviews to my partner Amanda McIntyre and me, Anthony corrected this earlier statement by saying: “Now, writers have it much better, they can come through. Especially if they are good and they are resourceful, they can make a living. I know that, I’ve seen so many young writers of talent.”
Part of the reason he was wrong was because of his own doing.
On his return to Trinidad in 1970, Anthony initially received small jobs as a writer, with little freedom and a negligible income. His breakthrough came after he submitted an essay entitled Writing for the Younger Ones to a National Library competition that celebrated the International Book Year 1972.
He was the only writer to follow through with the project, and thanks to this submission, was recommended by Prime Minister Eric Williams to receive a post at the National Cultural Council, then directed by Dr JD Elder. Anthony held the post until he retired, publishing one work of writing after another through to his nineties.
​Regardless of whether one reads the stories of his childhood in some of his first novels; or his historical fictions in short stories, novellas and later novels; or his historical works which have become classics, like The Carnivals of Trinidad and Tobago (2011) – he was a writer who always had the wider public in mind.
In an interview with Reginald Clarke in 1990, Anthony explained, “I think a good style is a style that doesn’t attract attention, and I think the important thing is, in telling a story, you want to communicate, and the important thing is to communicate as clearly as possible. So I think simplicity is a very, very important thing.”
The love and admiration he received from the public underlines the success of his approach.
Anthony was one of the reasons why it has become possible to make a living as a writer in the Caribbean. He demonstrated how important and enriching it is to have writers of fiction and history describing the world around us.
In 2021, he said, “if one likes writing, one has to write, and the only place one can write about is the place that one knows…So it’s just that I think the things you love, or the things that are important in your life, whether you love them or not, they take place and that makes a part of your story.”
Anthony’s stories draw on his own experiences and his tireless historical research.
Much of his writing aims at telling the story from a local perspective.
His books have been included in school curricula and he himself was invited to public readings time and again. Just as it is the wider Caribbean public who enjoys his writings, it will also be this public that will miss him the most.
Michael Anthony (February 10, 1932-August 24, 2023) is survived by four children.
Dr Jarula Wegner is the Hundred Talents Young Professor of German and Comparative Literature at the School of International Studies, Zhejiang University, China.
(Source: Newsday, August 27, 2023)

The Trinidad and Tobago film industry is set to make history as two short films shot on location in TT will be showcased at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
It is a ground-breaking moment for FilmTT and the nation’s film sector. This milestone not only celebrates the rich artistic talents of TT's filmmakers but also marks a resounding step forward in bolstering the nation's presence on the global cinematic landscape, a media release said. The TIFF platform provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase the unique narratives, cultural richness, and artistic prowess that TT has to offer, Film TT said.
It said it is thrilled to showcase two completed short films in collaboration with internationally-acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker James Amuta. The first titled When the Monsters Come Out, a gripping 15-minute proof of concept created by The James Amuta Company and Bold Moves Production (Nigeria), with support from FilmTT, aims to secure an international distribution deal for its full-length feature to be filmed in TT.
The second offering is the riveting A Mother's Revenge, a product of FilmTT’s 48hr Film Challenge, written by local theatre icon Penelope Spencer and directed by Amuta. Both films had 100 per cent local cast and were created with the involvement of over 100 individuals. By showcasing these short pieces to international film delegates at TIFF, FilmTT, in collaboration with The James Amuta Company, will pitch in real-time to prospective investors, film buyers, and the global press. Film TT says it's an invaluable opportunity to cast a spotlight on TT in an effort to secure future commitments that will be beneficial to the creative ecosystem.
FilmTT general manager Leslie-Ann Wills-Caton said, “As part of our commitment to amplifying the potential of the local film industry, this momentous occasion at TIFF signifies a leap towards attracting international collaborations, co-productions, and alternative financing opportunities. By leveraging our presence at TIFF, we aim to ignite interest in our picturesque locations, diverse narratives, and skilled production teams, positioning TT as an attractive destination for film production. The participation of TT films at TIFF is a testament to the talent, creativity, and dedication of our local filmmakers. This is a golden opportunity to not only showcase our stories but also to foster meaningful connections with international partners."
Amuta, facilitator of the Script to Screen Workshop with James Amuta, said, “Film is a universal language, and for me, collaborating with FilmTT and the amazing talents from TT, is a fulfilment of a life-long dream to use the cinematic arts as a bridge to connect cultures, and export the combined cultures and artistic excellence represented by the film industries in Nigeria and TT. We share a similar heritage, and considering that the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) is the second largest film industry in the world, the goal is to use our big brother status, to help project the skills and craft of our talented cousins in the Caribbean to the same global audiences that have a huge appetite for Nigerian films.”
When the Monsters Come Out and A Mother’s Revenge have been scheduled for a market screening on September 12.
FilmTT said it has led the charge for local films to participate at TIFF as part of its commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic innovation. It is FilmTT’s mission to showcase TT’s film productions extensive range of genres, themes, and perspectives that will undoubtedly captivate global audiences and showcase the wealth of creative potential present in the country, it said.
Through this landmark achievement, FilmTT aims to foster new avenues for collaboration, stimulate alternative financing models, and catalyse creative partnerships that will further propel the growth of the nation's film industry, it said. It’s overarching goal remains to consistently attract international productions to TT. By joining hands with international filmmakers, producers, and distributors, FilmTT is carving a path toward sustained success and recognition for TT on the global film stage.
​(Source: Newsday, August 30, 2023)