About
Kata Novel And
Screenplay Reviews
As a Jamaican-American screenwriter born in Jamaica and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, I deeply connect to my history and culture; I have had a lifelong interest in telling my semi-autobiographical story, “Kata, The Iron Thorn.”
Kata is a spooky family fantasy adventure with a nonviolent theme. The Kata story is a Romantic Fantasy at its core! The narrative is set in the 21st century but flashes back to Kata‘s legend, the supernatural Jamaican Warrior that battled pirates and ghosts (duppies) in 1655, Jamaica.
Kata has an original narrative for a black history movie. So, no, it's not told like many black history-oriented movies like "12 Years A Slave" or "Harriet." Instead, Kata takes its history lessons and wraps them in a full-blown fantasy that is funny, quirky, campy, and often spoofs the pirate genre.
My Kata novel has captured a five-star rating on Amazon and is in Development for a Live-Action movie! It has a critical Philadelphia tie-in and is perfect for all ages! Currently, I am writing the sequel to Kata as part of a series.
Kata Film Summary
Philadelphia disc jockey of Caribbean descent returns to Jamaica and becomes entangled in an old, supernatural legend that reaches the very core of his identity.
Disc Jockey Terry Lee Barrett (TL) was born in Jamaica but raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, he does not know he is the youngest descendant of Kata, the mighty Jamaican Warrior, who fought Pirates and Duppies (ghosts) in Jamaica over 300 years ago. The legend of Kata and The Iron Thorn was something TL‘s father, the late Rev. Dr. Leonard E. Barrett, Sr., had not wanted his son to know. He knew that all those who drew the sword would die by the sword. In the past, the Iron Thorn, a deadly blade that could fight on its own when instructed, was necessary to fight pirates and duppies, but now, it can only do destruction.
I have written the Kata screenplay in honor of my Father, the world-renowned anthropologist, Reverend Doctor Leonard E. Barrett, Sr. (1920-2003).
"Kata" mixes up the Fantasy Film genres, which will make it a fun and exciting movie-going experience. The film primarily takes place in the present-day, with a love story, making it a Contemporary and Romantic Fantasy. It is also a Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, as the movie has a quest to find a magic sword (the "Iron Thorn") similar to the King Arthur Fantasy. It is also a Pirate Adventure, which resonates with "The Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise.
I am convinced that the Kata story is the next big thing with the success of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise and Marvel's hugely successful "Black Panther"!
"Black Panther" is the latest and most significant in a series of recent hits that feature black actors in significant roles, like "Hidden Figures" and "Get Out." People of color make up a disproportionate number of what the Motion Picture Association of America calls "frequent moviegoers" -- people who go to the movies once a month or more. Among African Americans in particular, the number of frequent moviegoers is up 27 percent since 2012. That number is down 21 percent among white audiences.
Read the article here:
Women's importance and the new wave of feminist awakening are made evident in Kata! They are represented in the parts of "Imani Sharp," “Empress Iyadola,” "Captain Phoebe Olivia Penn" and "Nan, Di Queen Enchantress."
The Kata, The Iron Thorn Novel is on a HOT BUTTERED ROLL! Elite Authors Publishing said that they love the Kata story and describe it as, “a fast-paced fantasy similar to The Princess Bride, by William Goldman, and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. “
Kata, the Iron Thorn, is an exciting blend of Jamaican culture, fantasy, adventure, and Caribbean folklore. Kata the warrior, a famous Jamaican heroine with extraordinary abilities, is introduced to readers with her fantasy novel with humor. Magic, time travel, and nonviolent superhero elements are present in this novel, offering a new perspective on anti-violence fantasy literature. The story unfolds with themes of empowerment, cultural pride, and moral maturation, as seen through the prism of fantasy books with life lessons.
Kata, the Iron Thorn, is a perfect combination of action, romance, horror, and comedy in its central narrative, making it an ideal family fantasy adventure. Terry Lee Barrett is a DJ in 17th-century Jamaica who doesn’t know he’s descended from the Jamaican fighter Kata, who battled pirates and duppies (ghosts). The story takes place in both present-day Philadelphia and 17th-century Jamaica. As the story progresses, Terry discovers his connection to Kata, and the sword with supernatural powers becomes the key to unlocking his own destiny.
This Caribbean folklore fiction is more than just an adventure; it’s an investigation of Caribbean roots and heritage, making it the ideal fantasy set in Jamaica. The novel takes readers on an exciting adventure across multiple eras, cultures, and otherworldly realms by combining Caribbean hero fiction with vivid cultural depiction. Kata, a Jamaican female hero, bridges the gap between fantastical and real-life difficulties by bringing an uplifting story to life for readers of all ages.
This book is a lively, varied addition to the fantasy tales with cultural themes; its rich Caribbean culture makes it more than simply an adventure with a moral lesson. This fantasy novel for all ages, available in both Kata Kindle edition and Kata paperback, encourages readers to experience the beauty and wisdom of the Caribbean via a memorable protagonist.