Vision
Gina had many dreams. She spent every day living them
One of those dreams, one that she shared with many people and one of the reasons she started Opus, was her desire to listen to good music, eat good food and dance... under the stars.
The 'जीना Forever' Memorial Concert on 6th November '2009, announced the birth of the जीना Forever Foundation that will provide support for aging musicians in India. "We've been touched by the lives and stories of musicians who, for various reasons, have been financially hit and Gina often spoke about wanting to support them. It is only fitting that we honour Gina's memory by giving back to a cause that was so close to her heart," said Carlton.
That bold intent has come true.
During 2010, funds for the Gina Forever Foundation have been raised from music concerts; from a share of the earnings of the various companies in the Trump It group that Gina started over the past decade, from the proceeds of OMG! 'Opus Memorabilia and Goodies'a brand of merchandise that Gina had talked about often and Carlton has now launched; and from friends and family, well-wishers and the Opus community of music lovers.
Through the portraits of a few remaining survivors, it tells the unknown and mesmerizing story of a bygone age of jazz in India. Through archival material and poignant encounters with a maverick bebop guitarist, jazz fans , and other artists, the film uncovers an untold story of cultural cross-pollination: born of pre-war African-American diaspora, American Army presence in Calcutta during the Second World War; and of US State Department sponsored jazz tours in India. The film also illuminates the influence of American jazz on Bollywood.
Artfully edited in a rhythmic, multi-layered, warmly intimate and affectionate style, Finding Carlton revives the intense power of a largely undocumented jazz movement, weaving memory, concert footage and expert commentary with scenes of moving reunion between elder Indian jazz pioneers. Centered on human chracters with idiosyncratic lifestyles and built around rich archival material including audio, it and progressively gathers force to relate the story of an entire Indian jazz generation. Finding Carlton is currently in production and welcomes the support of those who would like to help complete this film. Conceived by Susheel J,. Kurien, a Half Diminished Production in collaboration with Chrysalis Films. Thanks to Mansoor Khan for the "Bollywood" scenes from Teesri Manzil , used with permission from the owner.
Please contact: findingcarlton@gmail.com
ALL DONATIONS GO TOWARDS THE जीना FOREVER FOUNDATION
