ROSEAU, Dominica: The BBC has reported that the "Pirates of the Caribbean" sequels plan to portray Dominica's Carib Indians as cannibals. Shooting on the films is expected to take place this April in the area, with hundreds of Dominicans applying to be extras in the movie.

The cast and crew are to work on two sequels back-to-back, with the first to be released in 2006. 

Carib Chief Charles Williams said talks with Disney's producers revealed there was "a strong element of cannibalism in the script which cannot be removed".

The Caribs have long denied their ancestors practiced cannibalism. "Our ancestors stood up against early European conquerors and because they stood up...we were labelled savages and cannibals up to today," said Williams.

About 3,000 Caribs live on the island of Dominica, which has a population of 70,000. 

Dominica's Economy set to benefit from blockbuster hit (New Chronicle)
February 11,2005

Dominica's economy looks set to get a big boost from the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 in Dominica by Hollywood film giants, Disney, reveals a statement from the Government Press Secretary.

Representatives of Disney have made several visits to Dominica since August 2004 in order to pick locations for filming on the island. Over the last several months, the Government of Dominica, the National Development Corporation and other Government departments have been doing everything possible to secure the filming of the sequel in Dominica.

Nine locations across the island have been identified as potential sites. They include Pagua Bay, Titou Gorge, Hampstead Beach, the Indian River, High Meadow and Pointe Guinade near Soufriere,. among others. Much of the filming is expected to be done along the Vielle Case coast and other locations in the North East.

Presently, thirty-five Dominicans are employed by Disney to make all the necessary preparations in anticipation of the start of filming soon. To date, a number of contracts have been signed with local companies in the transportation, construction, and security sectors. Hotels, restaurants, guesthouses, bars and suppliers of local produce should be bracing themselves from mid-April as a film crew of over 400 is expected in Dominica by then.

Dominica's Tourism promotion also stands to benefit from the tremendous opportunities expected as a result of the filming being done here, concludes the release.

Dominica’s economy set to benefit from Pirates of the Caribbean II (Caribbean Net News)
Thursday, February 3, 2005

ROSEAU, Dominica: Dominica’s economy looks set to benefit from the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean II in Dominica by Hollywood film giant Disney. When actual filming begins in mid-April, over 250 Dominicans are expected to be employed over a six week period. 

Over the last several months, the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism, the National Development Corporation and several other government departments have been doing everything possible to secure the filming of the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean in Dominica . Cabinet has also agreed to a list of concessions for the production of the film. 

Presently thirty-five Dominicans are employed by Disney in Dominica to make all the necessary preparations in anticipation of the start of filming soon. 

Representatives of Disney have made several visits to Dominica since August 2004 and have visited several locations on the island. Within the next week, thirty people from Disney including the Director of the Film are expected on island for a technical scouting trip. 

Nine locations across the island have been identified as potential sites for filming. They include Pegua Bay, Titou Gorge, High Meadow and Pointe Guinade near Soufriere, Hampstead Beach, the Indian River among others. Much of the filming is expected to be done along the Vielle Case coast and other locations in the North East. Actual sets will be constructed in Soufriere and Vielle Case. 

Disney has rented floor space in the Financial Centre in Roseau. To date a number of contracts have been signed by Disney with a number of local companies in the transportation, construction and security sectors in Dominica. 

As far as possible government is hopeful that local people will benefit directly from the filming of this Hollywood feature film here. Hotels, restaurants, guest houses, bars and suppliers of local produce are bracing themselves for brisk business from mid-April as a film crew of over 400 is expected to boost demand for local products and services. 

Dominica’s Tourism promotion also stands to benefit from the tremendous opportunities expected as a result of the film being shot on location in Dominica. 

Last month, Production Supervisor of the Film, Mr. Tom Haslip had a briefing session with Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit and the other members of his Cabinet. 

Although Disney has not confirmed that the sequel to Pirates of the Caribbean will be filmed in Dominica, government officials and officials in the tourism industry as a whole are quietly confident that the sequel to the multimillion dollar epic will be filmed in Dominica.

Lights, Camera, Action! (New Chronicle)
Government approves filming of Pirates of the Caribbean II & III
January 21

All seems set for the filming of the sequel to the box office blockbuster "Pirates of The Caribbean" in Dominica. President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association Atherton Martin confirmed to The Chronicle that ministry of tourism officials had this week cleared all necessary details regarding the film with Cabinet.

With a crew of over 300 people expected, Martin explained that estimates on the amounts expected to be spent in Dominica are not yet available, but down payments are expected to be made at the end of the month for their accommodations. He added, "We are also aware that car companies and bus rental companies have already been contracted."

"Lots of our members have signed contracts already and lots of our members have begun providing services. So the money is already coming in and this can only improve over the next couple months."

The island sold itself, the DHTA president said, referring to the filmmakers choices of locations. Scenes are set to be shot in communities in the north and northeast, but Martin revealed that most of the filming will take place in the south of the island in communities such as Soufriere.

Dominica did not give up much to attract the movie, Martin believes, It is normal if you want to attract an investment of any kind that you have laws in place to provide concessions, duty free to facilitate them if you want anything to happen. He assured that no negative impact was expected on the environment. We have had an excellent core of foresters and others who worked with the advanced team of Disney to inform them about our environmental laws and to explain to them the potential areas of vulnerability and impact. So what ensured that the confusion that occurred in 2003 when movie rumours were in the air did not occur this time round? Martin believes it was a switch from a casual approach. Very early, the senior staff at the NDC and the Ministry of Tourism realized that we could not afford to have Disney on our doorsteps for the second time and not cash in, he said.

In addition, he says involvement of the private sector, previously lacking, has augured well. Nobody can say they haven't been briefed and their role is identified. It's now up to us to deliver.

However, Martin believes the best is yet to come for Dominica's role as the location for this film, The big thing about this is not just getting the film done and getting it done successfully, but what it means for us. What it means is an enormous opportunity for profiling the country, enhancing the country's image and differentiating Dominica from the Dominican Republic...

Moreover, a step up in standards is expected across all sectors, a process that has begun already with hotels bringing their rooms up to par for the influx of filmmakers. This is an opportunity to upgrade everything from cuisine to restaurants, services&it's not a workshop anymore  it's the real thing.

The DHTA president advises that service providers ensure that standards are kept even to the minute details. If 300-plus people ranging from technicians, electricians to the stars, get a good experience, you bet your dollar they'll be talking about it.

More remains to be done, as Martin explained arrangements for entertainment, among other things, must be made.

Martin calls for a change in attitudes, particularly during the rivalries of election campaigns, to ensure Dominica does not get a bad reputation. We have to act in a mature, civilized manner&we really are going to have to take the hospitality industry seriously.

Dominica did not give up much to attract the movie, Martin believes, It is normal if you want to attract an investment of any kind that you have laws in place to provide concessions, duty free to facilitate them if you want anything to happen. He assured that no negative impact was expected on the environment. We have had an excellent core of foresters and others who worked with the advanced team of Disney to inform them about our environmental laws and to explain to them the potential areas of vulnerability and impact.