Some lifelong dreams are forged through sheer will, others by circumstance – and some by a rare fusion of the two.
When Elijah Anatole began work on Heartfall in January 2023, he envisioned a 10-minute short. But as production unfolded, the project grew – relentlessly, almost organically – into an 86-minute feature, fulfilling a dream long considered out of reach for filmmakers on an island with scarce resources.
Anatole knows the struggle firsthand. In 2010, he secured $19 000 in government funding for a feature script, only to watch most of it vanish into equipment rentals before the project could cross the finish line.During those years, he built a reputation in journalism before pivoting to communications – a career that, ironically, later empowered him to return to his “real passion”.
“Over the years, I’ve invested my own money to acquire equipment,” he told St Lucia Times.
Still, Heartfall‘s expansion from short to feature unfurled organically. After filming days, Anatole would lie awake, turning scenes over in his mind: “How can I make it better? I could probably do something else to tie the story together and give it more depth.”
Now, two years later, Heartfall nears the end of post-production, its trailer, with cinematography evoking classic Hollywood, already captivating audiences nationwide. Set to premiere May 4 locally at Caribbean Cinemas, the drama explores a narrative Anatole calls woefully underrepresented: the emotional turmoil of men, as the main character Adam grapples with grief and societal expectations.
“It speaks to societal issues affecting men and gives insight into what a man actually goes through when he deals with his emotions, what people expect him to do versus what he is really enduring himself,” Anatole explained, adding that male suicide also receives special focus.
The story, born purely from his love of storytelling and not from any particular life event, demanded near-total creative autonomy. Though media artist Ted Sandiford lent support (and a cameo), and an initial collaborator stepped away early, Anatole chose to forge ahead alone, taking on most of the key roles – screenwriting, directing, producing, shooting and editing – to protect his vision.
Local businesses like KFC, Blue Waters, and Soufrière ATV Experience bolstered the effort with food, props, and locations.
Casting required careful handling. Determined to avoid “flat” performances, Anatole faced unexpected hurdles: more interest from men than women, and scheduling conflicts that forced calypsonian Ti Blacks to bow out. Lead actor Kareem Stanley was originally hired for lighting but won the role after an impromptu audition.
“I just asked him to try,” Anatole said. “And with a little work, I noticed that he would have been able to give me exactly what I needed. So I cast him.”
Finding his leading lady proved even tougher. After repeated rejections –possibly tied to wariness of exploitative filmmakers – he met Chianne Cools.
“She understood the character,” he said. “She was just perfect. So all the nos that I got, her yes made up for it. And to be honest, she’s basically the star. She’s really good. She’s a natural.”
Dr Stephen King, a prominent Saint Lucian figure, rounds out the cast, for whom Anatole says he has high regard.
Following its May 4 premiere, Heartfall will screen at Caribbean Cinemas May 24–25 before landing on Amazon Prime in June.
Against all odds, Anatole’s labour of love stands as proof: even on a small island, colossal stories can find their spotlight.
