Barbados’ rich cricketing history is set to be immortalized in *Knock Them Down*, a groundbreaking documentary commissioned by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and produced by Digital Shark Inc. The film, directed by Claire Ince and produced by Rivelino Simmons, was officially launched at the NCF’s West Terrace headquarters, where the duo were crowned winners of the NCF’s Cricket Film Competition. The initiative sought to spotlight the nation’s profound influence on cricket through local filmmakers’ creative visions. Among ten submissions, *Knock Them Down* stood out, securing a $1 million production grant. André Hoyte, Senior Business Development Officer at the NCF, emphasized the project’s goal to use film as a medium to narrate Barbados’ cricketing legacy with authentic local voices. Ince described the documentary as a deeply personal and patriotic endeavor, highlighting how Barbados transformed cricket from an elite colonial sport to a unifying force that transcended class and racial barriers. The film will feature interviews, archival footage, and contributions from cricketing powerhouses like England, South Africa, India, and Australia, alongside tributes to Barbadian legends such as Sir Garfield Sobers and Malcolm Marshall. Simmons underscored the project’s dual mission: to celebrate Barbados’ cricketing heritage and to create opportunities for local talent in the global film industry. Joel Big Bird Garner, chairman of Cricket Legends of Barbados, praised the documentary as a vital tool for reconnecting youth to the island’s cricketing roots. Filming is set to commence next month, with locations spanning Barbados and international sites, as the NCF aims to elevate the island’s cultural industries on the world stage.
