Caribbean Film Series Recap

Caribbean films are a reflection of the creativity and stories that reflect the region and the diaspora. The Caribbean Film Series at BAM has been sharing the amazing work of Caribbean filmmakers for years and this year was no different. With a weekend filled with a wide variety of feature films, documentaries, film shorts, discussions and social events.

With the Caribbean Film Series at BAM, the viewers had a chance to get up close and personal with the stories shared on the big screen. Attending a few of the events during the 5-day Caribbean film festival was it was inspiring to experience our culture told through the eyes of amazing visionaries. Here’s are a few films and shorts from the Caribbean Film Series

For Gregario

For Gregario was a lighthearted short documentary by Cristobol Guerra about his Puerto Rican uncle Gregario Guerra, who migrated to the U.S. by himself in the 70s. Gregario shares snippets of his everyday life after nearly facing death after being diagnosed with cancer. He beat the odds and Gregario’s fun loving nature shined with every interaction.

Yardie

Yardie was the Caribbean Film Series’ premiere movie on opening night. The film directed by actor Idris Elba and was an adaptation of the book by Victor Headley (the first of a Trilogy.) Yardie stars actor Aml Ameen as the leading character “D” who witnesses the death of his brother in Jamaica which lead him becoming a drug trafficker after being taken in by the neighborhood Don, King Fox, played by Sheldon Shepard (of the Nomaddz.)

Beyond a typical bad man movie, the film explores deeply rooted male trauma and how it loomed throughout the entire film as D went through so many emotions of anger, deception, loyalty, misunderstanding and the unsettling repercussion of the various emotions. Yardie is a well-rounded film that explores Jamaica and its diaspora connection through the eyes of strong characters, a great storyline that culturally resonates with the migration of Jamaicans in the 70s and 80s. Not to mention the accents were on point, the cinematography, lighting and costumes were amazing and the story made you feel like you were right there experiencing every scene.

Douvan Jou Ka Leve

The New York City premiere of Douvan Jou Ka Leve (The Sun Will Rise) by Gessica Geneus is a deeply personal journey of the Geneus’ mother battle with bipolar disorder “an illness of the soul” as it is described. It also takes an interested look at the duality Vodou and Christianity in the country. While the film never alludes to blaming religion reason of her mother’s mental illness it eludes to various questions one might ask about both religions and its relevance in Haitian challenging history. It’s a true story of resilience, much like Haiti’s history without judgement nor answers, just the idea of exploring and accepting loved ones for who they are at every stage of life.

Being Blacker

Being Blacker was a documentary directed by Molly Dineen, follows the not so unique story of Jamaican born, British raised Blacker Dread. A cornerstone in the Brixton, London community for the foundation of spreading Reggae music in England, the record producer and music shop owner get caught up in the legal system.

It’s an intriguing story about a man and his family as he describe great details about his experience as immigrant in the U.K. his kindred relationship to his mom and dedication to his community. While many looked at his prison time and deportation as a sad piece of history, there seemed to be a lightness of the spirit as the documentary played out. It is the story of many who migrate, yet do not feel completely at home and sometime wonder about achieving better opportunities at a heavy cost.

When it comes to the big screen, Caribbean films are limited in mass, with limited screenings. Collective film festivals allow for filmmakers to showcase their work across the region and its diaspora, while creating solid plans for expansion, which is why many showcase at many film festivals before making it to a major film production studio, DVD and/or streaming service providers like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. Caribbean film festivals like the Caribbean Film Series creates a platform for upcoming and seasoned talent alike to share their work directly with people and see their reaction as the films being viewed. It the best way to gauge an audience, creative impact and spark new film ideas. The Caribbean Film Series continues to do this for film lovers in New York City like no other film festival.