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Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Former soap star premieres film produced in Jamaica at Miami's Black Film Fest
When actress, producer and activist Victoria Rowell talks about telling stories on her own terms and one of her latest film projects , the response she often gets is usually one of bewilderment. 'A lot of people are so surprised when I introduce them to Jamaica,' says Rowell, once one of daytime's most beloved actresses for her nearly two-decade role as the iconic Drucilla Barber Winters on the CBS soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless.' 'They are astonished at the resources I'm talking about; the camera houses, the editing, the costume design, the two casting directors I know there. All of the assets are there, the boots are all on the ground.' Indeed, Jamaica may elicit mountains and waterfalls, but these days the Caribbean nation is also trying to showcase its cinematic potential and budding film industry. One of those films, 'Love Offside,' will premiere during the 29th annual American Film Festival on Friday at O Cinema in Miami Beach to a sold out crowd. The festival, founded by Jeff and Nicole Friday and sponsored by HBO, has become a crucial launchpad for those seeking to tell stories on their own terms. Shot entirely in Jamaica, 'Love Offside,' tells the romantic story of a physical therapist developing feelings for her patient, a rugby star. Rowell served as a producer on the film and also stars as the mother of the female lead, Camille Hart, played by Judi Johnson, with whom Rowell has collaborated several times over the years. The other lead character is Mike Merrill. The production company behind the film is The Limners and Bards Limited or The LAB, which has been raising funds to support Jamaica's local film industry. LAB managing director is Kimala Bennett has been pushing to meet the needs of those seeking locally grown stories. She and Rowell have known each other for several years. 'One of the big conversations that Kimala and I always would have is I say 'Kimala the name of the game is creating your own content so you are in control of the licensing opportunities globally,'' Rowell said. 'This is the economic chasm that needs to be closed in terms of' intellectual property ownership and that takes time. Rowell has been visiting Jamaica since 1979 and considers the Caribbean nation to be a second home. She's been working with the production company in Jamaica for almost a decade. And equally important, she said, 'I just appreciate the organic nature of doing production in Jamaica.' From soap opera actress to independent filmmaker The author of the New York Times bestselling 2007 memoir 'The Women Who Raised Me' about her upbringing in foster care, Rowell gained fame in a nearly 20-year run as the feisty Drucilla, an illiterate runway teen turn who later became a glamorous model and married Neil Winters on 'The Young and the Restless.' Her character was a regular from 1990 to 2007 and was finally written off the show in 2017 after Drucilla disappeared over a cliff but her body was never found. After her daytime run, she starred in several other movies but became known for her fight for racial equality in the daytime soap industry. These days it's independent films and boutique productions that inspire her. Prior to this week's premier, Rowell starred in the stage adaptation of 'Jason's Lyric: Live in Detroit. 'I'm 66-years-old and at this point in my career, I'm looking at the next 20 years. I want to do projects that make me happy, that make me laugh that gives me a sense of fulfillment,' she said, 'working with like-minded people that want the knowledge I have if I'm asked, and being able to pass the baton, because in passing the baton and sharing knowledge that is reciprocity, it's a big thank you. So maybe it is a smaller production, and that's okay.' Rowell who creates content of her own under her own company, Days Ferry Productions, said she loves 'boutique production, as long as the script is good, the people are good.' 'I'll continue to do other projects as well, but I love independent projects,' she said. 'There's more artistic freedom, less people telling the producers what to do.' Rowell's second film screening at the ABFF is 'The Secret Between Us,' which was directed and written by Tamera Hill. Rowell stars alongside Michael Jai White and Karen Abercrombie. Rowell plays the character of Maxine, a hired private nurse who finds herself thrown into the middle of a family drama after someone knocks on the door. 'There's levity in the movie, and she has her opinions and some advice throughout the movie,' said Rowell adding that she enjoyed the script. The goal with both films is the same, Rowell said, to get a licensing or several licensing deals. 'The American Black Film Festival, which is founded by husband and wife team, Jeff and Nicole Friday, they are about, yes, screening content but connecting executives, connecting filmmakers,' she said. 'It is the largest black film festival in the nation and it offers opportunities to get your IP shown and licensed or sold.'
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Job scams a key issue under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025, has pledged to take decisive action against transnational job scam syndicates, placing the issue at the forefront of its regional agenda. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra, in a statement on Friday said it takes the issue of job scam syndicates seriously. The ministry expressed its sincere appreciation to the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) as well as other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media, for their continued efforts in drawing attention to the plight of Malaysians who have fallen victim to job scam syndicates across the region. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working closely with ASEAN counterparts and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to strengthen preventive measures, enhance regional collaboration, and ensure protection for all victims,' added the statement. The Foreign Ministry said it has taken concrete steps to raise the matter with fellow ASEAN Member States, including at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi in January and the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit earlier this week. At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Langkawi in January, ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to addressing transnational crimes, including people smuggling, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, and the rising threat of online scams. During the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, Malaysia stressed the urgent need for decisive regional action in tackling cross-border crimes. As a result, ASEAN ministers agreed to review the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime (2016-2025) to strengthen regional coordination and ensure that its successor documents address emerging and evolving criminal threats. In the 46th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders also expressed strong determination to intensify cooperation under the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC), with an emphasis on law enforcement collaboration to combat online scams and trafficking in persons.
Barnama
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Job Scams A Key Issue Under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship
PUTRAJAYA, May 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair in 2025, has pledged to take decisive action against transnational job scam syndicates, placing the issue at the forefront of its regional agenda. Malaysia's Foreign Ministry, Wisma Putra, in a statement on Friday said it takes the issue of job scam syndicates seriously. The ministry expressed its sincere appreciation to the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) as well as other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and members of the media, for their continued efforts in drawing attention to the plight of Malaysians who have fallen victim to job scam syndicates across the region. 'Malaysia remains fully committed to working closely with ASEAN counterparts and all relevant stakeholders, including civil society, to strengthen preventive measures, enhance regional collaboration, and ensure protection for all victims,' added the statement. The Foreign Ministry said it has taken concrete steps to raise the matter with fellow ASEAN Member States, including at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi in January and the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit earlier this week. At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Langkawi in January, ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to addressing transnational crimes, including people smuggling, trafficking in persons, drug trafficking, cybercrime, money laundering, and the rising threat of online scams. During the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, Malaysia stressed the urgent need for decisive regional action in tackling cross-border crimes. As a result, ASEAN ministers agreed to review the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime (2016-2025) to strengthen regional coordination and ensure that its successor documents address emerging and evolving criminal threats. In the 46th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders also expressed strong determination to intensify cooperation under the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC), with an emphasis on law enforcement collaboration to combat online scams and trafficking in persons.
BusinessToday
25-05-2025
- Politics
- BusinessToday
ASEAN Urged To Tackle Cybercrime Threat With Stronger Legal, Security Cooperation
ASEAN must urgently strengthen regional security cooperation, harmonise legal frameworks and boost information-sharing to counter rising cybercrime and human trafficking threats, Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said. Delivering his opening remarks at the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, Mohamad highlighted the growing scale and severity of cybercrime syndicates that have preyed on thousands across the region. 'Countless ASEAN citizens have been deceived and trafficked into forced labour at scam centres. These operations rob victims of their dignity and savings, while eroding the economies of ASEAN states,' he warned. He shared that despite ASEAN's recent efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks, syndicates have shown a disturbing ability to regroup and relocate, exploiting gaps in enforcement and cross-border legal coordination. As the region faces an evolving security landscape shaped by geopolitical rivalry, digital vulnerabilities and economic instability, Mohamad stressed that ASEAN's response must evolve. 'We must enhance the resilience of our digital infrastructure and safeguard cyberspace. The pace of technological advancement demands proactive, collective action,' he said. The meeting also served as a platform to review progress under the APSC Blueprint 2025, which is in its final implementation phase. The findings from this review will inform the development of the APSC Strategic Plan 2045, a long-term roadmap aligned with the upcoming ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Mohamad praised the progress made since the last APSC Council meeting in Vientiane in 2024, noting that sectoral efforts have significantly contributed to community-building and regional integration. 'The Strategic Plan 2045 will serve as ASEAN's political-security compass over the next two decades — one anchored in peace, resilience and people-centred values,' he said. Related
The Sun
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN must boost security, digital resilience in facing escalating threats
KUALA LUMPUR: It is imperative for ASEAN to strengthen regional cooperation, harmonise legal frameworks, and enhance information-sharing mechanisms among its member states in response to escalating security challenges, particularly the surge in cybercrimes, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. In his opening remarks at the 29th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting today, Mohamad emphasised that comprehensively addressing these issues is critical to safeguarding the well-being of ASEAN citizens, as well as ensuring regional security and prosperity. 'Countless ASEAN citizens have fallen victim to these deceptive schemes and have been trafficked to work as forced labour in scam centres. They have lost their freedom, their dignity, and their life savings. These widespread illegal online operations also have a detrimental impact on the economies of ASEAN member states. 'In recent years, ASEAN has stepped up efforts to curtail the threat of cybercrime. Nevertheless, the crime syndicates have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to relocate or rebuild their operations,' he said at the meeting held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here. According to Mohamad, ASEAN is navigating an increasingly complex regional and global landscape, shaped by intensifying geopolitical competition, economic uncertainty, and transnational challenges that underscore the fragility of the current world order. He said that the rapid advancement of technology and the expanding domain of cyberspace not only necessitate the safeguarding of the region's digital ecosystem and networks but also require that their resilience be fortified against emerging threats. Meanwhile, Mohamad noted that the APSC Council is currently conducting its end-term review of progress made under the APSC Blueprint 2025, with the insights gained expected to shape the development of the APSC Strategic Plan 2045, which ASEAN leaders are anticipated to adopt tomorrow as part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. 'Since our last APSC Council Meeting in Vientiane in October 2024, we have witnessed tangible progress across the work of the APSC sectoral bodies. These efforts have continued to contribute meaningfully to ASEAN's community-building objectives and regional integration. 'The APSC Council Report before us today reflects the breadth and depth of our collective endeavours,' he said. He explained that the APSC Strategic Plan 2045 will serve as a vital compass for ASEAN's political-security cooperation over the next two decades, firmly anchored in the values of peace, resilience, and people-centred growth. Mohamad Hasan also emphasised that the region stands at a critical juncture as ASEAN approaches the conclusion of the APSC Blueprint 2025. The 46th ASEAN Summit and its related meetings, held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', are expected to address a wide range of pressing regional and international issues, including political and security matters. This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, having previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements, namely the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, will also be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation.
