The Tribune

The film based on Exuma’s swimming pigs has arrived back home to screenings in The Bahamas following stops in Fort Lauderdale and at the Cannes International Film Festival.

Pigs of Paradise was shown to a sold-out crowd at the Island House Cinema on Saturday. Its director, Charlie Smith, participated in a question and answer session with the audience alongside Peter Nicholson, its executive producer, and author TR Todd, who wrote the book on which the film is based.

Screenings at Island House will continue today, while a theatrical release is also planned with Galleria Cinemas beginning in July. “It is really important to us that all Bahamians have an opportunity to see this film,” said Mr Smith, owner of Earthbeat Films.

“At its heart, this is a Bahamian story. The swimming pigs have become globally known. They are a point of pride for many people, not just in Exuma but other islands in The Bahamas. So it is a true honour to show the film where it all started.”

The swimming pigs have gained worldwide fame in recent years, appearing in magazines, newspapers, television shows, movies and countless social media posts. The film tells the story of how these famous animals arrived on Big Major Cay, providing a history of the area and speaking to Bahamians in both Exuma and Nassau. It then chronicles their rise to fame and economic impact on the entire Bahamas.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, attended the weekend’s screening. He also appeared in the film alongside Joy Jibrilu, director-general at the Ministry of Tourism.

“It was our pleasure to host Minister D’Aguilar and receive such rave reviews on this film,” said Mt Nicholson, who is also the president of GIV Bahamas and the largest owner at its Grand Isle Resort in Exuma.

“These swimming pigs have been such a wonderful surprise. When Todd and I began this journey in 2013, we had no idea what it would become today. Perhaps the most rewarding part has been seeing its positive impact on so many people in The Bahamas, while also broadcasting the beauty of this country to the world.”

Pigs of Paradise has been shown to audiences in multiple countries. The book by Mr Todd has also won two awards over the last few months. After Fort Lauderdale, Cannes and Nassau, attention now shifts to where it all began - in Exuma.

“From July 4 to July 8, Grand Isle will play host to the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, on location in Exuma,” said Robert Sands, Grand Isle Resort’s hotel manager. “We will show Pigs of Paradise, along with others, and we anticipate this will become an annual tradition and another feather in the cap for Exuma.”

A special screening is also being planned for this week, whereby all residents of Great Exuma will have the opportunity to see the film about the swimming pigs.