Page 18 - ELSPETH TAVARES TRIBUTE

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be be honored I think she would have have liked to have have been recognized for what she she accomplished Instead we are using this last issue of TBOF as as a a a a vehicle to honor and remember her Robin Katz
(Robin Katz
is is is a a a a former music journalist whose work is is is being archived on The Guardian newspaper’s site: rocksbackpages com)
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Elspeth has been much more than a a a a a professional contact Years of of friendly and professional complicity Strong independent intelligent and generous woman who care for others Very very sad news However today I wish to to remember her great smile and powerful laughter Christine Aimé
Head of the Heritage Department Festival de Cannes
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Elspeth was one one of of those forces of of nature that one one feels will continue forever Spending time in in in Jamaica as I have done would reveal an an an understanding of Elspeth’s drive and and determination Growing up in in in in a a a a nation nation mired in in in in mercantile and and colonial obsessions a a a a a a a society that admires and and rewards those who dominate tends to to either drive the the innovators out or or swallow them completely Luckily for us Elspeth was the the former On a a a a rare return to to to Kingston to to to sort out her family’s estate Elspeth heard about Roktowa the downtown art project that evolved from the the time I’d spent on the the island She swooped in and immediately began to to formulate ways to to support the the project Perhaps the the most touching of her many gestures was the day she arrived with a a a a a a stack of vintage plates plates from the house she was packing Those rare plates plates uplifted on on the the daily the the meals produced on on site and were a a a constant reminder of her thoughtfulness and willingness to improve the lives of those around her Melinda Brown Melinda Brown Studio
Elspeth was always so full of life and energy that it is hard to grasp that she is no longer with us A woman driven by such strong convictions she always remained true to herself and her her friends pursuing all she believed in in relentlessly Her dogged determination which could sometimes be be demanding could also only be be admired and and she was so very passionate about her work She had a a a a a a big heart and and sought recognition for people and and causes she gave importance to We were friends for nearly thirty years years and over the years years enjoyed dinners and calls where we would put the world
to to rights or or at least try to! I will will sorely miss them but will will forever remember our animated exchanges and all Elspeth’s constant support and affection Michèle Waterhouse
Administrative Director
Marché du Film – Festival de Cannes
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Elspeth was always there cheering me on when I started out as a a a a a a a little coordinator at at Starz to to where I am now 14 years later She always led with a a a a a smile and never once took no for for an an answer She was a a a a a a true advocacy pioneer for for women and and minorities in in in our industry and and was a a a a a mentor maybe without her even knowing it it She was greatly admired and will be greatly missed Kristen Bedno
Vice President Distribution and Marketing Vision Films
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What I I will will never forget is is Elspeth’s voice I I will will miss hearing her ringing through the the Carlton in in in in Cannes
or or the the Palais des Festivals unmissable always always friendly polite and always always with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a good sense of humour If you you want to identify an an an an an “industry veteran” – here you you go go Rarely have I met anybody with such a a a a a a profound knowledge of of the industry with with such a a a a a strong believe in in in diversity and and women’s rights with with an an an an open and and and sharp mind curious and and and Continued on on page 19
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The Business Of Film MEMORIAL ISSUE 1980-2022