Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution 2013
Distributed by Third World Newsreel, 545 Eighth Avenue, Suite 550, New York, NY 10018; 212-947-9277
Produced by Bruce Paddington, Grenada Operations, Princess Donelan
Directed by Bruce Paddington
DVD, color, 113 min.
Middle School - General Adult
Grenada, People’s Revolutionary Government, Caribbean, Political Assassinations, Politics, Revolution, Identity, Government, Activism
Date Entered: 01/14/2016
Reviewed by Malcolm L. Rigsby, Department of Sociology, Human Services, & Criminal Justice, Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, ArkansasForward Ever is a gripping investigation of a revolution destabilized and broken apart from within and without. ~ Malcolm L. Rigsby
Views of revolution always conflict. Maurice Bishop became prime minister of Grenada following the 1979 revolution that overthrew the Gairy regime. The Gairy regime instilled fear in the people through terror and brutality and the people had had enough. The revolution became the hope for democracy. However, as sometimes occurs the revolution began to run aground, elections were not held, cliques emerged, and the people became disoriented and questioned what was happening. By 1983 the struggle for freedom had become blurred and the people vacillated on whom they should support. Had a faction within the revolution attempted a coup or had Maurice Bishop become corrupt in his ideology? What was happening? More importantly what was happening behind the scenes in the new revolutionary government and what was occurring outside of the government? As the US watched President Reagan began to paint the picture of Grenada as a once bastion for American vacationers, gone bad.
In the wake of the US invasion of Grenada conflicting reports abound. Was Bishop still in power, was he under arrest, had he been deposed? What culminated was a blood bath with Prime Minister Bishop and fifteen loyal followers being massacred on October 19, 1983.
This film awakens the desire to resolve many questions which the world and the people of Grenada have never received answers. How could a revolution that was one of the least violent in history have come to such a violent end? This is a gripping film portrayal. It will keep you interested and thinking. True activism is a part of this plot.
Forward Ever resonates with the quest for every person for dignity and autonomy. Gripping footage and sound brings you right into the action of the scenes. Editing is superior. Use this film for personal enjoyment and education or for group discussions in sociology and politics. The distributor provides a film trailer on the film’s website, where film resources including a timeline are provided.