Comment

Jul 16, 2013Keogh rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Another exceptional documentary from retired British journalist Trevor McDonald. He travels the Caribbean here, the area he spent the first portion of his life in, exploring both the world of the super rich and the common person. The stark contrasts and diversity of cultures are on display throughout. Some general impressions are confirmed- magician David Copperfield is every bit the supremely self absorbed twit that I'd imagined, though I'm surprised a magician could somehow pull together the funds to buy several islands- while other things are a surprise. Cuba is something of an eye opener, in terms of the bizarre political culture on the island, and yet the notion of workers getting an hour or two of being read to while they work isn't all that bad a prospect (depending on the text). A distant member of the Royal Family comes across as much more down to earth than you'd expect, living her life in this part of the world. McDonald explores the problems facing some parts of the region and the solutions that are being sought out. Perhaps the best segment of the three programs has him at Montserrat, where more than a decade after the devastating volcanic eruptions, the people of the island carry on with life, while the volcano remains awake and troublesome.