The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) is headed to Maracas and Matura this weekend with T&T Film Nights, its free series of community film screenings, sponsored by the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company.
On Saturday 23 November, in partnership with the Maracas Community Council, a series of short local films will be screened at the Maracas Bay Community Centre from 6.00pm. Dainia Wright’s Mystic Blue explores the relationship between Mystic, a member of the Bobo Shanti faith, and Blue, a strong-willed woman who does not share her boyfriend’s beliefs. Knockabout, meanwhile, a T&T-style neo-noir directed by Emilie Upzack, follows a pair of detectives investigating a kidnapping.
After Mas, directed by Karen Martinez and ttff/13 Jury Prize-winner for Best Local Short Film, is a story about a young man and woman who from different backgrounds who meet and fall for each other during J’ouvert. If I Could Fly, by Maryam Mohammed, the story of a girl who wishes she could take to the sky like a kite, is also in the line-up. Completing the package are One Good Deed by Juliette McCawley—about a young boy’s encounter with some douens—and No Soca, No Life, a rags-to-riches story about an aspiring soca performer, directed by Kevin Adams and starring Terri Lyons.
There will be a free shuttle service to and from the Maracas Bay Community Centre for residents of the area. The shuttle leaves the Blanchisseuse Community Centre at 5.00pm, the La Fillette Community Centre at 5.15pm, and the Las Cuevas Community Centre at 5.30 pm. If you’re interested in using the service, please contact the Maracas Bay Community Council at 384-8074.
The following day, Sunday 24 November, T&T Film Nights will be at Matura Secondary School, from 5.30pm. In addition to Mystic Blue, the lineup contains the hilarious A Home for These Old Bones, a zombie comedy by Julien Silloray, set in Guadeloupe; Alexandra Swait Guild and Sarah Feinbloom’s Earth, Water, Woman, the inspiring story of the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project; Renee Pollonais’ comedy Sweet Fries; and Til D Well Run Dry, a film by the students of Matura Secondary School.
There will also be a presentation by the Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism on the National Registry of Artists and Cultural Workers. The Matura screening is held in association with the Nature Seekers Group, and will follow the group’s Christmas craft and family fair.
A number of the directors whose films are screening will be present for Q&A sessions on both days. Admission to T&T Film Nights is free. Audiences will receive free T-shirts, bags, cups, popcorn and other giveaways on a first-come, first-served basis.
Image: A still from A Home for These Old Bones
