Six Documentaries Showcasing the Diverse Representation of Caribbean People

Founded in February 2023, CAFTPro is an alliance of Caribbean film and television professionals working to support the growth of the Caribbean film and television industries through targeted interventions and programmes. As a young organization, we are actively growing our membership base to be truly panCaribbean. The founding members represent: Antigua, Barbados, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago.

There is a burgeoning film industry in the Caribbean and we believe that international and regional collaborations and exposure will lead to expansion and growth for our budding industries. CAFTPro is proud to put forward six documentaries showing the diverse representation of Caribbean people.

Douvan Jou Ka Leve (The Sun Will Rise)

Written and directed By Gessica Geneus

Haitian actress Gessica Geneus steps behind the camera to delve into the themes of Haitian identity, womanhood, and mental illness. Through the lens of her relationship with her mother, who suffers from bipolar disorder, Geneus creates a deeply intimate and poignant exploration.

The film is noted for its sincerity, love, and generosity, offering a heartfelt portrayal of these complex and personal subjects. Made for French television the film has won several awards in festivals both regionally in the Caribbean and Europe.

Watch via SaNoSi Live

Caribbean Fantasy

Directed by Johanné Gomez

Ruddy, the boatman. Morena, his married Evangelist lover. Caribbean Fantasy, Ruddy’s boat, a possible metaphor for the dreams and realities of the people living at the banks of the Ozama River, contrasting sharply with the nearby metropolis of Santo Domingo. An intimate story of love, the film also sheds light on broader social issues such as social injustice, health, and housing insecurity.

Available on Pluto TV and Tubi TV

Iconography: Mungal Patasar

Directed by Teneka Mohammed & Mikhail Gibbings

The film follows the life and musical journey of legendary sitarist, Dr. Mungal Patasar. It is the second episode in the Iconography docu-series that reveals untold stories of musical giants and cultural icons in Trinidad and Tobago. A story of displacement, rediscovery, passion and exploration all distilled and captured into a unique musical fusion. It is what is quintessential about being Trinbagonian; that particular genius that blossoms from our varied pasts and peoples. Iconography: Mungal Patassar fills me with pride.

Watch at the upcoming 19th Annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival in September.

Everyday Dignity

Directed by Ida Does

Inspired by the work of pioneer Professor Philomena Essed, who was the first to openly discuss everyday and institutional racism in the Netherlands, Everyday Dignity explores the impact of Essed’s work through conversations with both Essed herself and representatives of subsequent generations. The film emphasizes that while much work remains, the efforts of individuals like Essed have paved the way for future generations to continue this crucial struggle for equality and justice. It challenges viewers to recognize the ongoing presence of racism and to commit to our collective responsibility to keep fighting against racism. It is a powerful educational tool that can inspire new generations to continue the work that Essed and her contemporaries began.

BROKEN STONES (Des pierres brisées)

Directed by Guetty Felin

Award-winning Haitian-born director Guetty Felin turns her lenses towards the oldest neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, devastated by the 2010 earthquake. She films the lives of people moving through the maze of the ruins and vestige of what was once the imposing cathedral Notre Dame de l’Assumption, which has become, for the time, an amphitheater and surreal witness of the living conditions of Haitians in the area. This poetic cinematic fresco mixes children’s games, songs and prayers of the congregation, a handicap hero, writers and a mellifluous flow of other characters that lend their voices to the songs and prayers of the congregation. Still in ruins, the cathedral is now an open forum where folks express their grief but also their aspirations for the country of their dreams.

Watch on Vimeo

Morena(s)

Directed by Victoria Apolinario and Iván de Lara

Morena(s) focuses on migration and identity within Latin America through the eyes of Morena, offering a personal and intimate perspective on broader socio-political themes. Victoria Apolinario has impressive tenderness and vulnerability that she carries with grace and power, always seeking beauty in everyday life. While we participate in Morena's everyday life, we experience her sorrows, despair, and joy. The documentary focuses on themes such as womanhood, family, and the force of will, highlighting the unique challenges and triumphs of Caribbean immigrants.