Director Frank E. Flowers Brings Untold History to Life in "The Bluff"

By AGBOVERSE Staff

Set against the unexplored backdrop of the 19th century Cayman Islands, Frank E. Flowers' upcoming film "The Bluff" is poised to rewrite the cinematic portrayal of Caribbean history. Frank E. Flowers recently wrote  “Bob Marley: One Love,” co-written with Terrence Winter & Zack Baylin, which is in the top five highest-grossing musician biopics of all time. AGBOVERSE got to chat with Flowers before the start of production and he shared his excitement and vision for this ambitious project, promising a film that blends thrilling storytelling with a meticulous recreation of historical authenticity.

A Dive into the 1800s Cayman Islands

Flowers isn't just crafting another period drama; he's immersing audiences into a critical yet overlooked era of Caymanian history. He explained, "The Cayman Islands in the 1800s is a time and place that’s never been portrayed on film before." His commitment to authenticity is evident in his plans to build sets that replicate the island's cultural landmarks on their actual historical sites. Flowers expressed his enthusiasm about the project, saying, "I am excited to step back in time and bring people on a journey through our island’s history."

Drawing from Personal and Cultural Heritage

The authenticity Flowers brings to "The Bluff" is deeply personal. As a native of the Cayman Islands, he has a vested interest in portraying his culture with the nuance and depth it deserves. Flowers emphasized the influence of his origins on his career choices and storytelling perspectives. He is determined to shift the narrative around Caribbean settings in film from exotic backdrops to rich, storied environments and noted the importance of "creating an authentic tapestry that infused their [AGBO’s] gold standard of storytelling into the DNA of this story."

Rituals and Reflections

Flowers also discussed how personal rituals help him navigate the demands of filmmaking. "When we were working on the “Bob Marley: One Love” film, I was surprised to learn that Bob read the Bible every day," he revealed. Adopting this practice himself, Flowers finds that reading the Bible provides calm and perspective amidst the chaos of production, reminding him of the bigger picture and the collaborative spirit of his team.

Beyond Filmmaking: Community Impact

Aside from his directorial duties, Flowers serves as the Chairperson of the Cayman Islands Film Commission, where he juggles administrative responsibilities with creative projects. "I don’t have many personal hobbies," Flowers shared, "but my daughter and I are avid swimmers." Inspired by his father’s long standing charity work, Flowers has launched a "swim free program" that teaches essential water skills to underserved communities, highlighting his commitment to his community and heritage.

A Vision for the Future

As "The Bluff" heads into production, Frank E. Flowers is not only eager to tell a story but also to enlighten and educate an international audience. His approach promises to offer a film that is not only visually captivating but also culturally significant, making "The Bluff" one of the most anticipated projects in the realms of historical and cultural cinema. Best of luck going into production Frank E.! 

The Bluff is directed by Frank E. Flowers; and written by Flowers and Joe Ballarini. Producers include AGBO’s Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Michael Disco; Cinestar Pictures’ Cisely Saldana and Mariel Saldana; and Priyanka Chopra-Jonas. Exec producers include AGBO’s Chris Castaldi, Ari Costa, and Kassee Whiting; Cinestar Pictures’ Zoe Saldaña; Rocket Science’s Thorsten Schumacher; Ballarini; and Flowers. Sarah Finn, AGBO’s longtime collaborator for casting direction, is also serving as EP.

Stay tuned to AGBOVERSE for more exclusive updates on this intriguing project.

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