Caribbean Week in New York City closed with a mini film festival presented by Caribbean Tales. Film shorts and panel discussions complete with a full-length showings of Fire in Babylon and Calypso Dreams. Adding to the movie viewingswas a Rum and Fishcake Gala with rum and wine tasting accompanied with appetizers in which people ate and networked and talked about the film industry a bit. The free event was open to the public.
I arrived just in time for Calypso Dreams, a documentary featuring leading stars (deceased and alive) from the Calypso music genre, originating on the twin islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The film took an in depth look at the beginnings of the musical genre from colonization to present day. It was a great history lesson on a very interesting musical genre of which I had not known it’s full history. Primarily commentated by David Rudder and Mighty Sparrow with interviews with Calypso Rose, Harry Belafonte and others; all of the artist feature played a part in calypso world popularity which gave birth to the now popular Soca. What was so inspiring was that all of these artists played their part, respected their craft of story telling and had an undying admiration for one another. It’s a great music/historical piece that all who adore Caribbean heritage would enjoy the film.
We were fortunate enough to get an “interview” with Mighty Sparrow conducted by Trinidadian author Elizabeth Nunez. I would have loved to hear more about Mighty Sparrow’s personal story, but Nunez focused more on his accolades over the years, which prompted more singing than interviewing. Since I didn’t know a lot the songs he sang it didn’t resonate with me as much as I would have liked. He didn’t have enough time to really dissect his life and songs, but the crowd seemed to enjoy it and gives me great reason to do some Mighty Sparrow research of my own.
Of all the film shorts included, animation short Jerk Chicken, about a chicken that refused to be jerked, was my favorite. Additionally shown was a detective webisode entitled Dominion and Silent Music, a documentary about a film maker uncovering her past.
Fire in Babylon is a documentary about the West Indies Cricket Team from the 70’s and how they overcame the struggle of being just a team for crowd entertainment to a team with immense talent representing not only their personal struggles, but a team for oppressed people overcoming their masters at their own game. Even if you’re not a cricket fan, the story is a riveting tale a time period that all Caribbeans should know about and anyone who understands the struggle of oppression can empathize with. Fire in Babylon will be shown on T.V. June 25 – Aug. 25 on the Tribeca Film Channel (check local listings) or get the DVD, definitely one for your personal collection.
It was my first time attending a Caribbean film festival and it opened my eyes to knowing that there are film makers our there telling stories in variety and not the same old topics I keep hearing about. These films represent an alternative story to what people see in the mainstream about Caribbean life.
Check out a few pictures as well as trailers from some of the films.
Fire in Babylon
Jerk Chicken:
Dominion
The Other Side of the Water ( I missed this short film teaser, but found it online)
Mikelah
Mikelah is a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora. A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
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