Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders To Debut On St. Thomas; Trailer Released

ST. THOMAS — Well-known author and journalist Peter Bailey will debut “The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders”, the second film from his highly anticipated Paradise Discovered series on his birthday September 16 at Prior Jollek Hall on Antilles School campus on St. Thomas, according to a release issued Wednesday. In this gripping documentary Bailey reflects on surviving both hurricanes Irma and Maria on his native St. Thomas alongside a cross-section of voices across the Virgin Islands.

From Bailey’s 75 year-old mother’s defiant prayers, to Governor Kenneth Mapp advocating to President Trump and high schooler Indira’s compassion for her classmates alongside boxer Julius Jackson cooking up dishes to serve the community, Unbreakable celebrates the unconquerable spirit of the Virgin Islands community, the release says. The story of Anique ThomasHarrigan who lost her husband Ishmael “Tarik” Harrigan is heart wrenching yet her strength is inspiring.

“We’re now historical figures,” says Bailey. “It’s time for the world to understand that the people in these islands are as magical as the scenery.” A community “where the people took care of each other” as described in this inspiring documentary, the Virgin Islands is an enchanting US territory on the verge of reinventing its story in the wake of tragedy. Bailey debuted The Anguilla Connection, the first film from Paradise Discovered in July on the island of Anguilla, his mother’s homeland.

According to the release, Bailey has become a national figure throughout the Caribbean for his journalistic efforts after the storms. His controversial New York Times Op Ed “Has America Forgotten the Virgin Islands?” on which Unbreakable is based and subsequent interviews aired on CBS and other media outlets criticizing the US government’s handling of the islands’ recovery have since gone viral on social media. He wrote the Times’ piece while building a makeshift roof.

The advance screening of “Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders”, done in partnership with The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II, will take place at Prior Jollek Hall located on the campus of Antilles School. There will be a media mixer beginning at 7:00PM followed by the movie, which begins at 8:00PM. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to [email protected], as seating is limited.