Entertainment

Ian Agard

By RON FANFAIR

It takes some longer than others to figure out what they should be doing with their life.

Ian Agard spent three years at York University pursuing psychology yet, deep down, he knew that was not his career goal.

However, it was not until after watching Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at the 2000 Toronto International Film festival that Agard was able to develop a strategic vision for his career plan.

"I knew there and then that that was what I wanted to do," said the independent film-maker, who recently released his first feature, Bend and Break.

By RYCH McCAIN

At the recent American Film Institute's premiere at the world famous Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood for the movie Precious, one of the female cast members overshadowed the presence of Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry and the film's star, Mo'nique, on the red carpet. That young actress was Chyna Layne.

Layne plays Rhonda, the classmate of Clareece "Precious" Jones played by Gabourey Sidibe. They are students at a special education school for misfit students who have been kicked out of everywhere else.

By PAT WATSON

Not even the crush of travelers pushing this way and that, trying to be the first to get their luggage off the carousal, was going to disturb Icilyn Banton. The gray-haired grandmother was in a merry mood. Arriving in Toronto for the first time in six years, she was looking forward to spending a 'white Christmas' with her son and his family. She said goodbye to friends and family before making the journey from St. Catherine, but she wouldn't miss Christmas in Jamaica this year, especially since daughter-in-law, Maria, is expected to give birth to a third child after the Christmas season.

"Purpose for your visit?"

"Chris'mus."

"Do you have anything to declare, ma'am?"

The customs officer was so stern.

Kim Davis

By RON FANFAIR

She can now manage a full smile and feel good about herself. That was not the case four years ago when Toronto singer/songwriter Kim Davis was trapped in a violent relationship that led to her abuser murdering her estranged husband.

The recording artist is busy in the studio these days completing her first 14-track self-titled album to be released on February 2, which is her 27th birthday. She also enjoys raising her two children, seven-year-old Jazzmyn and five-year-old Kareem Hussein, whose names and birthdates are tattooed on her left bicep.