Forward Ever: The Killing Of A Revolution is a documentary overlooking the Grenada revolution through grainy footage, interviews and subtitles. After a five-year reign as Prime Minister, Eric Gairy (1974-1979) filled Grenada with corruption and a change was needed. In 1979, newly elected Prime Minister Maurice Bishop brought the New Jewel Movement into Grenada under his People’s Revolutionary Government (PRG).
On October 19, 1983, Bishop and members of his cabinet were assassinated. Six days later the U.S. Armed Forces deployed almost 1,900 troops into the country to oust the government and rescue 800 American students.
At just under two hours, Forward Ever is at an awkward length. Co-Director Luke Paddington admittedly removed 45 minutes of footage from the original piece, which is noticed, as some parts of story don’t connect as fluently as others. At the beginning of the revolution, people of Grenada were supporters. Parts of the story appear missing, as suddenly citizens aren’t as supportive. With the footage directors Bruce and Luke Paddington had, they could easily have made a three-part mini-series to accommodate the story in its entirety.
The documentary does feel like it is missing something. There is a noticeable lack of visuals, such as photos of buildings, landscapes and people.
The revolution in Grenada isn’t discussed in the mainstream media and Forward Ever tells many sides of the story through a historical documentary for people who want to know more.
Words By. Matthew Anness
Comments are closed.