3rd Annual Flatbush Film Festival West Indian Edition
Film Lovers & Caribbean Enthusiasts! caribFILM, a division of caribBEING, a boutique non-profit based in Flatbush whose mission is to “build community through the lens of Caribbean cinema and art,” presents the 3rd Annual Flatbush Film Festival: West Indian Edition. caribBEING presents 11 classic & contemporary films in 7 nights with 4 US Premieres including Ring di Alarm! (Jamaica), No Soca, No Life (Trinidad & Tobago), Cabbie Chronicles(Jamaica) and an encore presentation of the popular, I’m Santana, The Movie (Trinidad & Tobago) throughout 3 cinemas from October 25th through November 14th, 2012. The selections will be shown at Maysles, TriBeCa and Brooklyn Heights Cinemas.
The festival lineup is led by Horace Ove’s cult classic film Pressure, the first feature film made by a black British filmmaker. Viewers can also expect the screenings of Stones in the Sun starring MacArthur Genius, Edwidge Dandicat by Patricia Benoit, Barrio Cuba by Humberto Solas and West Indies by Mauritania/French filmmaker Med Hondo.
According to Festival Director, Shelley V. Worrell, “the mission of caribBEING being fulfilled through Flatbush Film Fest is important because we are providing a platform for deserving filmmakers and artists to share their groundbreaking works in one of the most important Caribbean cities in the world.” In just 3 years, the Flatbush Film Fest has featured Caribbean films from virtually every genre while unifying various groups of Caribbean people with one another, as well as non-Caribbean film aficionados for the love of cinema. The festival has received tremendous support from an number of Caribbean & Flatbush community establishments who have generously donated food and refreshments for the screenings. caribBEING has also earned the backing and support from several student groups including Brooklyn College’s Caribbean Students Union, Haitian-American Students Association and Brooklyn Students Union.
About caribBeing:
Since 2010 caribBEING has been dedicated to building community through the lens of Caribbean
Diaspora film, art and culture. To date, cariBBeing has presented three years of successful
programming that included successful presentations of several indoor and outdoor film series, art
exhibitions, cultural programs and residencies showcasing the cultural and artistic contributions of the
Caribbean Diaspora with an emphasis on Flatbush, Brooklyn drawing over 4k attendees. We find and
showcase the best in cinema, art and culture.
About the Films (Week 1):
Title: Pressure
Country: Trinidad & Tobago/UK
Year: 1975
TRT: 70 mins
Director(s): Horace Ove
Synopsis: TONY, THE London-born son of Trinidadian migrants, can’t find a suitable job, in spite of his impressive O-Level qualifications. Harassed by his parents for his supposed idleness, and by his older brother for denying his black identity, Tony is pushed to the margins of an increasingly alienating society. The first British feature by a black filmmaker, Pressure is the classic, passionate story of a young man’s political awakening and his struggle for a sense of being and place.
Title: Doubles w/Slight Pepper
Country: Canada/USA/Trinidad & Tobago
Year: 2011
TRT: 16 mins
Director(s): Ian Harnarine
Synopsis: In rural Trinidad, Dhani struggles to support himself and his mother by selling doubles (Trinidad’s quintessential street food). When his estranged father returns from Canada unexpectedly, Dhani must decide if he will help save his father’s life despite their strained relationship.
Title: No Soca, No Life (US Premiere)
Country: Trinidad & Tobago
Year: 2012
TRT: 30 mins
Director(s): Glenford “Kevin” Adams
Synopsis: OLIVIA IS a teenage girl from an impoverished community with a fabulous singing voice, honed in the church choir. When she decides to use her talent to sing soca, however, Olivia must face many hurdles — not least of all stiff opposition from her mother.
Title: I’m Santana, The Movie (People’s Choice)
Country: Trinidad & Tobago
Year: 2012
TRT: 52 mins
Director(s): Roger Alexis
Synopsis: I’m Santana is a comedy/drama based on the popular digital puppet, Santana who battles himself and others to cope with the social ills of his community and his love for Janice.
