The 6th edition of our Caribbean Film Series features the Trinidadian production BAZODEE, starring soca music star Machel Montanto
Filmed entirely in Trinidad & Tobago and filled with the pulsating dance rhythms of soca music, “Bazodee” is a new style Bollywood musical with distinct Caribbean island flavor, that also slyly plays with some of the ongoing racial politics in Trinidad.
In the film, dutiful Indian daughter Anita Panchouri (Natalie Perera), a native Trinidadian, is set to marry a wealthy suitor from England (Staz Nair) in order to get her businessman father (Kaber Bedi, “Octopussy”) out of a deep debt. However, a chance encounter with local singer Lee de Leon (Montano) sets things askew for Natalie, and when Lee ends up performing at the new couple’s engagement party, the nascent feelings between her and Lee blossom, leading to the ultimate form of ‘bazodee’ – dizzying love and sensations.
With the excitement of Carnival approaching, Anita must now choose between the loveless marriage that will be the answer to her family's financial prayers or the possibility of real love.
Join us for a post-screening Q&A with writer/producer Claire Ince, and producers Ancil McKain and Susanne Bohnet.
The short film CLEANING HOUSE (2013) by Toni Blackford opens the night. In it, we meet Susan, a quiet, pensive house cleaner who takes her job seriously. A single phone call is all that she needs to clean up the mess and leave things pristine. But initial impressions rarely, if ever, give the full scope of a person - especially in the case of Susan.
Julene Robinson in Toni Blackford’s CLEANING HOUSE