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First-time writer-director Frank E Flowers grew up on the Cayman Islands, famous for its beauty and its use as a tax dodge for the rich and the often unscrupulous. HAVEN is set in the changing world of the Caymans as it is being transformed from sleepy fishing village (visited by Christopher Columbus in 1503) to a haven for tourists--and for businessmen absconding with loads of cash. This makeover has resulted in a disturbing amount of violence on the previously peaceful and serene island. "We are at a crossroads in our cultural evolution," writes Flowers in his director's statement, "and HAVEN is my documentation on the fragility of our society." The relatively sudden appearance of drug use, thievery, and shootings is reflected in HAVEN, the first feature film shot entirely on the now-popular islands. The easygoing, more traditional past is represented by Shy (Orlando Bloom), a soft-spoken young fisherman who has fallen in love with Andrea (Zoe Saldana), the daughter of a strong, proud minister. Her brother, Hammer (Anthony Mackie), disapproves of their interracial relationship and, in a fit of fury, throws acid on Shy, scarring his face and sending him back into his protective shell. Meanwhile, businessman Carl Ridley (Bill Paxton) has arrived on the island with his daughter, Pippa (Agnes Bruckner), and a healthy amount of ill-gotten gains. As the Feds close in on him, he seeks help from his "advisor," Mr. Allen (Stephen Dillane), who has some major problems of his own. At the same time, Pippa, upset at being taken away from her home and friends, is being courted by Fritz (Victor Rasuk), a fast-talking player who has made enemies of both the island police and a local kingpin. Reminiscent of Oscar winners TRAFFIC and CRASH, HAVEN is a compelling tale of love and greed, racial tension and cultural change, told through multiple story lines that come surging together in unexpected ways. The diverse cast also includes Bobby Cannavale, Jake Webber, Caroline Goodall, Joy Bryant, and Rachel Miner.
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