A Quarter-Century of “Arrowhead”: Courtney Noel Launches Modern-Day Western “Bushmaster” to Mark Double Jubilee

By| Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – You are arguably not a true Guyanese if your spirit doesn’t instantly elevate when the infectious, patriotic chords of Courtney Noel’s iconic anthem “Arrowhead” blast through the airwaves during Mashramani or Independence seasons.

Now, on the historic 25th anniversary of that legendary composition—and as the country simultaneously prepares to hoist the Golden Arrowhead for its 60th Independence Anniversary—the Guyanese cultural ambassador is making an ambitious, cinematic return to his first artistic love: the silver screen. In an exclusive sit-down with Nightly News, Noel unveiled his upcoming feature film, “Bushmaster,” a gritty, modern-day Western designed to re-ignite a fierce wave of raw patriotism across the country and its global diaspora.

From St. Margaret’s to the Ranches of Lethem

Growing up in a traditional, arts-infused Guyanese home, Noel’s childhood soundtrack was defined by the rustic melodies of his grandfather’s fiddle and his grandmother’s harmonica. Though he initially dreamed of acting, a standout performance at a St. Margaret’s Primary School concert solidified his footing in the performing arts. He later honed his intellectual and creative edge under the rafters of St. Stanislaus College and Queen’s College before migrating to New York to launch his formal recording career.

Now, a quarter-century after creating the nation’s unofficial festival anthem, Noel is channeling his multi-hyphenate skills as a singer, songwriter, screenwriter, and director into a cinematic gift for his homeland.

“My definitive gift to Guyana on this 25th anniversary of ‘Arrowhead’ is the film Bushmaster,” Noel told Nightly News. “It is a modern-day Western set against the vast, untamed landscapes of Lethem. It draws deeply from my own past experiences and our collective cultural roots, acting as a cinematic reflection of Guyana’s evolving identity.”

A Star-Studded, 100% Guyanese Cast

Rejecting international typecasting, Noel mandated that Bushmaster feature a 100% Guyanese cast, blending home-grown talent with elite creatives pulled directly from the North American diaspora.

The structural blueprint of the production balances local geography with international links:

• 80% Location Shooting: Filmed on location across the rugged savannahs, ranches, and border corridors of Lethem (Region Nine).
• 10% Diaspora Shooting: Captured on the bustling streets of New York City.
• 10% Capital Shooting: Framed within the urban architecture of Georgetown.

The billing roster reads like a “Who’s Who” of Guyanese entertainment, bridging musical heavyweights with established dramatic actors. The confirmed cast features Soca monarch Adrian Dutchin, Chutney-Soca legend Terry Gajraj, alongside popular media personalities and actors Mark Kazim, Sonia Yarde, Kady Kish, and Gucci Boss. Noel revealed that a rough-cut trailer premiered at the recent Rupununi Rodeo to roaring positive feedback, which heavily motivated the crew to push into the final phases of production.

Unearthing a Lost National Anthem

Compounding the cinematic launch, Noel is utilizing the diamond jubilee momentum to finally correct a decades-old musical omission.

The sweeping, orchestral ballad was originally produced twenty years ago as an official submission for Guyana’s 40th Independence Anniversary in 2006, but due to distribution bottlenecks at the time, it was never formally released to the public. By mastering and dropping the track now, alongside Bushmaster, Noel aims to foster collaborative networks among contemporary Guyanese creatives, driving the local entertainment sector toward international monetization and preserving the nation’s rich oral history.