Ten classic Caribbean films, with at least partial roots in as many countries and across the four main language groups in the region, will add to the diverse array of films being screened at the 2015 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival. The impressive list of films includes Perry Henzell’s The Harder They Come (1972) and Raoul Peck’s The Man on the Shore (1983).
These films are set to create a lens into the diverse cultures and experienc of the Caribbean during the latter part of the 20th century and highlight the strength of the Caribbean film tradition, especially when one looks beyond the English-speaking Caribbean.
Interestingly, these classics will not be the only time that festival goers get to interact with the Henzell and Peck. Along with what has become the Caribbean’s most iconic gangster/rude bwoi film, The Harder They Come, festival goers have an opportunity to learn more about Henzell’s filmic journey through the David Garonzik, Arthur Gorson documentary short, Perry Henzell: A Filmmaker’s Odyssey.
Peck’s latest film Murder in Pacot (2014), a film set amidst the rubble of life in Port au Prince after the 2010 earthquake, will be having it’s Caribbean premiere at TTFF 2015.
The other Caribbean classics being screened are Hugh Robertson’s Bim (1974, Trinidad and Tobago), Felix de Rooy’s Ava and Gabriel: a Love Story (1990, Curacao and the Netherlands), Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s Memories of Underdevelopment (1968, Cuba), Pim de la Parra’s One People (1976, Suriname and the Netherlands), Agliberto Meléndez’ One Way Ticket (1988, Dominican Republic), Strawberry and Chocolate by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío (1993, Cuba), Euzhan Palcy’s Sugar Cane Alley (1983, Martinique) and What Happened to Santiago by Jacobo Morales (1989, Puerto Rico).
The Trinidad and Tobago takes place in Port of Spain, Trinidad from September 15 - 29. The classic films showcase will take place between September 16 - 25, at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain.