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Featurette with Ch’An

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Featurette with Ch’An
Photo provided by Cha’an. Photography by Kenny Theysen.

Ch’an is a Barbadian singer hailing from the parish of St. Philip and brand ambassador for local music streaming site Selecta Charts. After giving a show stopping performance as a spotlight artist in 2016’s Mahalia’s Corner season with her rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier”, Ch’an was invited back to perform later that year in the Mahalia’s Corner Christmas Special as the featured artist. There too she wowed the crowd with what we described as “soulful, jazzy renditions of well known Christmas songs with a twinge of Caribbean flavour” in our review of the night. Not only did she give an encore performance of “Chandelier” and her original song “My Story”, she also performed the song that is the topic of discussion today: “Body.”

Last November she released “Body” as a single along with a sensual music video which co-starred local up and coming male model Emmanuel Tyson. To date, the video has over 3400 views on YouTube and the single hasn’t fallen out of the top ten on Selecta Charts since it debuted, even topping the charts at number one at one point. With all of the success the single has seen, we invited Ch’an to talk to us about it. And she obliged.

Zeitgeist: What was the response to the music video for “Body” like?

Ch’An: The response has been great. Very organic. I haven’t really launched my marketing campaign for it as yet. It’s just been thousands of people watching and sharing. That was beyond my wildest dreams.

Z: How did you come up with the creative for the video?

C: I saw the Timothy Bloom video with V Bozeman: ‘Til The End Of Time,’ as well as John Legend’s video for ‘Made to Love,’ and thought that I’d like to do something similar as a central idea but with other visuals supporting that theme. I had an idea for an Adam & Eve concept that evolved into what you see now. When I communicated with the director, Clish Gittens, and the rest of the Movement Film Collective team they took what I had in my head and made it so much better.

Z: How was the production process?

C: This was my first time tackling a music video from concept to finish. Let me say it was a wild ride. If it wasn’t for this collection of people I’m sure I would have fallen way short of my vision rather than surpassing it. My manager Mosi Daniel, then just one of my more actively supportive friends, was like: “No girl, let me help you get this done properly.” He swooped in and outted a few potential fires. I owe special thanks to him and his company Riptide Music Group, Travis Springer and the owners and operators: Roger Moore and Sanna Allsop of Parachute Film Studios who really went out of their way to help make sure the vision came off. I must thank The Movement Film Collective and my LavaLamp brothers for pouring some sweat into the vision too. I know we had Jason Russell pulling out some hair in that editing room!

“Body” video shoot behind the scenes photo.
TOP ROW – Mosi Daniel (Manager), Ch’An, Emmanuel Tyson, Jason Russell (Editor, Movement Film), Xavier Jhon Clair (LavaLamp Media Group), Roger Moore (Parachute Film Studios)
BOTTOM ROW – Clish Gitten (Director, Movement Film), Melanie Grant (First Camera, Movement Film), Vonley Smith (Second Camera, Movement Film).
Photo provided by Ch’an. Click for full sized image.

Z: What inspired you to write the song?

C: All of my writing is based on real life things. I fell hard, it didn’t wind up being something that could work and I was TORN UP girl! “Body” was me focusing on the fact that the pain I felt came from something beautiful – that the ugliness of it all was just the absence of that beauty. I guess I just wanted to feel the good bits again, even if it was just for 5 minutes, you know?

 

Z: Do you usually write your own music?

C: Well I’ve only just recently reclaimed the steering wheel of my career. So now I’m doing all [of] my writing and telling my story the way I’ve always wanted to. Before I had made this giant move, I had the pleasure of working with Rupert Gayle of CRS Music and Bobby and Sammy of Kuya Productions. These guys were the first people to ask me what I wanted to talk about with my music when it was time to write. It was so novel. We’ve kept in touch and they have continued to encourage me to self-express. So now I’m very involved in the writing. I do still collaborate but most of the things you’ll be hearing from me are my own songwriting. “Body” was a 15 minute song at 3 am. I was home, alone in my room. I think that’s an okay formula, no? Lol.

“Body” Cover Art by Selman Designs. Art provided by Ch’An,

Z: You mentioned on your page that it took two years of work. Why did it take so long?

C: I was mostly kidding with that statement LOL! It was only a year and a little bit. I think because I wasn’t trying to rush the process and honestly, I also had a lot of fear that it wouldn’t be well received. It’s not matching the tempo and energy of current music so I felt like people wouldn’t connect with it but the joke was on me, it turns out this is for the baby makers and those who just enjoy practicing lol!

Z: Denzil “Diggs” Bovell produced the song, what was it like working in the studio with him?

C: Diggz, Xavier Jhon Clair and myself had already created LavaLamp Media Group (a music production and songwriting business) together so the synergy was already there by the time I finally put “Body” down in the vocal booth. I met Diggz for the first time earlier last year through Jody Smith – I was delivering on a promise to do some background vocals for Jody’s song ‘Believe’ – and just liked his energy and production quality immediately. I listened to some other things he had worked on and looked him dead in the eye and said: “You’re my producer now. You know that right?” We’ve probably seen each other or spoken to each other every week since then. That’s my li’l brother now; studio with him is always good energy. Egos stay at the door and it’s all about the music.

Z: How do you feel now that it’s finally finished and out?

C: Honestly, I feel silly for being so scared in the first place. I feel grateful because really it was a whole squad that made the entire thing possible. You can follow my hashtag on [Instagram] to see all of the #BodySquad in action. I’ve got more cool [behind the scenes] stuff to drop on you soon. I also feel excited because “Body” was just the beginning, an introduction of sorts to what I want people to expect from me. I want you to feel the authenticity, the connection, the feel good vibes – everything. And I feel like “Body” was a great place to start. Now that it’s out, I just feel blessed. Scratch that – I know I’m blessed.

“Body” video shoot behind the scenes photos.
RIGHT: Model Emmanuel Tyson, Director Clish Gittens, Ch’An.
MIDDLE: Editor Jason Russel, Director Clish Gittens
LEFT: Ch’an, Model Emmanuel Tyson.
Photos provided by Ch’An.
Click for full size image.

Z: Have you always wanted to pursue a career in music? How did you get into it?

C: I’m every cliche there ever was about a singer: I grew up in the church and sang solos there. I joined my school choir at both primary and secondary school and was a soloist in both places, I sang at just about every wedding and family function, I sing in the shower (this is very therapeutic and I recommend it even if you “can’t sing”) – I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t singing. I would’ve ended up here regardless I think. But I can still thank Steffan Burgess (now of REI Fashion Academy) for giving me my first paying gig; he heard me singing in the hallways of UWI and booked me for the St. Philip Trade Show. I’ll never forget it when he said: “So the budget small so we can only manage $150. That could work for you? And I said “Wait you gonna pay me?” He said “Of course, never ask that again. Always ask how much.” He turned my hobby into a business opportunity – THANK YOU STEFFAN!

Z: Should we expect a new album from you soon?

C: Yes please. An EP though, not a full length album! Keep your eyes peeled for new music dropping on Selecta Charts first and keep an eye on my social media platforms too. There’s a website – https://www.chanbarbados.com/ –  now so you can get news first there!

Z: When next can we see you perform?

I do a lot of private performances at the moment, but I’m always ready to hit a stage near you so check the website which has public performances posted and is super up to speed on everything. My instagram (@chanbarbados) is also another great place to find out where I’ll be. In the meantime though, if you want to book me it’s super easy. Shoot my management an email at riptidemusicgroup@gmail.com. He’s very prompt with answering those emails – it’s like he doesn’t sleep! Lol.

Photo provided by Ch’An. Photography by Kenny Theysen. Click for full size image.

Mustardseed Productions’ ‘Duelling Voices’

K.F. Cumberbatch
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Mustardseed Productions’ ‘Duelling Voices’

This past Saturday, January 20th, at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre in Queen’s Park, Mustardseed Productions’ Youth Theatre Ensemble put on their production of the play Duelling Voices by Trinidadian playwright Zeno Obi Constance. Directed by Luci Hammans and produced by Varia Williams, the play stars Abayomi Harper, Alron Brathwaite, Ashley Serieux, Cara O’ Donnell, Kymorhi Trotman, Makalah Harrison, Melissa Hunte, Ocean Campbell, Skyye Lambert and Symar Doyle. Set in a secondary school, the play deals with the issue of inappropriate relationships between students and their teachers.

The most outstanding element of this production is its cast. This group of young people, which comprises of secondary school and Barbados Community College students, is immensely talented. I was blown away by their skill as actors. They all played more than one role and brought each character they played to life in a way that was engaging.

They were expressive in the delivery of their lines and delivered with their physical performance. A couple of them messed up their lines a little, but like true professionals they stayed in character and carried on. Not once did they miss a beat. The standout performer in the cast was Kymorhi Trotman. He had such energy and charisma that he stole all of the attention whenever he appeared on stage. It was nice to have a reminder of how talented Barbadians are in the arena of the creative arts.

The play is only about an hour long but it is the perfect length for this production. It didn’t need to be any longer. It didn’t need to explore the consequences of the teacher’s – Eric Johnstone – actions or the aftermath of the bombshell revelation that came at the end. And although it would have been satisfying to see the teacher get his due for taking advantage of one of his students, none of that was the point of the piece’s message or the main character’s – Marge – story arc. The point was for Marge, who romanticised the situation, to come to realise that it was wrong and she was being taken advantage of. The play made that point and delivered its message very well and very succinctly.

Despite tackling such a serious topic, the play was actually very fun and there were several moments of comedy within it. However, it didn’t detract from the gravity of the issue nor was it done in a way that made the audience laugh at the situation or take it less seriously. Striking such a balance can be difficult and Hammans needs to commended for succeeding in doing so. The comedy truly helped with the delivery of the theme and easing the audience into being confronted with such an uncomfortable topic. It was the proverbial spoonful of sugar.

The piece plays with societal expectations and gender politics as well and its subject matter certainly lends itself to that. As pointed out by an audience member during the Q&A session afterward, Marge isn’t the “fast” girl you’d think would get involved with her teacher; she’s a straight “A” student. And as the actress who portrayed her, Abayomi Harper, observed, was called a whore despite having only had one partner – Johnstone – when he was the one who flirted with and gawked at every woman he came into contact with and was a married man cheating on his wife.

One, very minor nitpick that really comes down to personal preference, was that the play did feel a bit heavy handed when discussing the sanctity of the student/teacher relationship. It almost reached a point where it could have felt like the play was beating you over the head with it, but it pulled back just before it could get there.

Overall, Duelling Voices, was a wonderful production that highlighted brilliant young actors who need more opportunities to perform and hone their craft. Not only did it show how talented they are, but it showcased the gifts of the “behind-the-stage” team as well. It deftly explored a problem that is endemic in our schools and desperately needs to be addressed in a way that didn’t overwhelm the audience, but still emphasised the urgency.

Scandal S07E08 Recap

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
Scandal S07E08 Recap

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

I don’t think that Quinn is dead. I really don’t. Firstly because we didn’t see Eli kill her in the mid-season finale, secondly because we didn’t even see her face when he was about to burn her body in this episode and third because we didn’t see Liv see the body. The number one rule of TV is if they didn’t die on screen, they’re not dead. So as of right now, I don’t buy that Quinn is dead. Especially since her baby showed up at the end of the episode. Apparently.

I found it hilarious that they decided to memorialise Quinn by cremating her and turning her ashes into bullets. I’m not entirely sure that it was “more Quinn” as Charlie said, but it was definitely very, very him. I was surprised that, unlike Huck, he didn’t feel the need to hunt down and kill the person who killed Quinn. He tortured Fenton when he believed the man just kidnapped her. He wouldn’t try to kill the person who murdered the love of his life?

But Huck, of course, took on that on that task and found out about Liv’s involvement remarkably quickly. Much, much sooner than I thought the show would have brought it up. Huck investigating Quinn’s death and finding out about Liv’s involvement is something I’d think would get at least a two to three episode arc. In any case, he connected more dots concerning what had gone down between Quinn and Liv than I thought he would and came to a very unexpected conclusion: that Liv killed Quinn. I didn’t see him going there at all but it makes sense that he would.

I was kind of afraid about what he would do when he left Fitz. I know that Liv is all bewitched behind the man, but why does everyone turn to Fitz when they want to get her back into line? Is his penis so magical? Anyhow. I was especially concerned about what Huck would do because he seemed to have gotten affirmation that Liv had in fact, become the worst version of herself. And as much as he would feel conflicted about torturing or killing Liv, given what a huge betrayal he thought she’d committed on top of  the change in her, I don’t think he would have hesitated to.

Huck didn’t even really need to lift a finger to make Liv pay for her involvement in Quinn’s death. She didn’t kill her, but she created the circumstances which lead to Quinn being killed. Her grief and guilt made her lose quite a lot of her ish. We’d never seen Olivia like that before and I believe the degree to which she mourned Quinn meant that she was feeling more than just grief. We’d never seen Liv drink so much either, I think.

I wasn’t worried about her dying right then – when Huck found her in Quinn’s office – because I knew that ultimately Huck wouldn’t kill Liv, even though I think he wouldn’t hesitate to do it. If the writers ever would have had Huck kill Liv, that didn’t feel like the moment in which it would happen. Not when she was in such a state. The expression on Huck’s face as Liv left was heartbreaking, though. All of the pain, the grief, the anger, the confusion and everything else he felt was so evident.

Why Liv gave her father what he wanted puzzles me. Just on principle, as per the terms of his ultimatum – that he get his bones back or Quinn dies – he really shouldn’t have since he killed Quinn. Other than that, you’d think that Liv, especially this version of her, would have punished him or retaliated in someway. Not give him exactly what he wanted. She hasn’t gone after him in anyway. Unless she realises now that trying to cage her father and control him is not in her best interest at all.

I do like the send off that they gave Quinn and that they showed a clip of each member of OPA’s most significant moment with her over the course of the series. Huck’s I liked the most especially because his seemed to be the one that went back the furthest (if how young he looked was any indication) and it made me think of how far Quinn had come since the first episode of the show. And how far the show has come overall.

I didn’t see that ending coming. I would not have thought that Charlie would go back to Eli and beg to get his old job back. It was also infuriating as a viewer because that’s the man that killed his wife! But then! We heard Robin cry. And I totally thought that Eli would move out of the way and Quinn would be standing behind him holding the baby. But she wasn’t. Then I thought that she would be in the room with the baby. But she wasn’t. And I was so sure that she would walk in the door and tell Charlie to stop strangling Eli. But she didn’t. And even though she didn’t show up at all, I am still thoroughly convinced that Quinn is still alive.

Or I’m in denial.

Random thoughts:

  1. That DNA could have been planted. It’s not Quinn I say!
  2. Did that pin come up last season?
  3. I don’t blame you Fenton.
  4. Really? Liv is blaming Fitz?
  5. Oh, that’s why he dumped Cryus.
  6. Is she seriously wearing a white hat?
  7. Fitz to Olivia: “What do you need?” She needs your penis. Liv doesn’t show up at your door for any other reason.
  8. I thought Charlie was dead for a second.

Scandal‘s airs Thursdays at 9PM on ABC.

PRESS RELEASE: Honey Jazz Barbados Festival Launch

K.F. Cumberbatch
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PRESS RELEASE: Honey Jazz Barbados Festival Launch
Honey Jazz Festival Founder Ebonnie Rowe. Photo provided by Honey Jazz. Photography by A3KD Inc.

The annual Honey Jazz Barbados Festival had their launch at Frank Collymore Hall where producer Ebonnie Rowe announced that this year’s festival “features a week of activities January 19-28 at venues across the island from St. Philip to St. Lawrence Gap to Bridgetown to Surfer’s Bay! Jazz enthusiasts will have an opportunity to enjoy a dinner/show combo, a freestyle jam session, even a cooldown Sunday Yoga session. There is something for everyone!”

Rowe, while acknowledging that sponsorship had been challenging, was clear in her commitment to producing the Festival against the odds, saying that “you don’t give up when you have a passion for something just because things get hard”. She went on to announce that they are excited to have the support of the Canadian High Commission who will be flying in Canadian artist Shakura S’Aida to do some vocal coaching with the artists and to make a special appearance this evening on the Concert stage.

Her Excellency High Commissioner Marie Legault of the Canadian High Commission.
Photo provided by Honey Jazz.

Her Excellency High Commissioner Marie Legault spoke at the launch and said she is excited about partnering with the brand since they have a shared vision in promoting women. She commented, “Personally I am very passionate about gender issues, about women’s rights as is the Government of Canada. Ebonnie is a trailblazer who has been working assiduously for over 20 years to support young women. We are very happy to be associated with her initiatives.” She assured although this was the first time they areworking with Honey Jazz it would not be the last and that she will also be hosting a special reception for Honey Jazz at her private residence to celebrate the Festival and welcome artist Shakura S’Aida to the island.

Sponsor Dr. Kerry Hall of Barbados Tourism Product Inc. said “Events such as this are wonderful, top class, high quality experiences for our visitors. The BTPA is happy to forge a partnership with Honey Jazz to ensure that the event continues so that visitors can go back home and tell others.  Partnerships such as this allow us to achieve our objectives as we seek to develop a sustainable cultural industries sector.”

Honey Jazz host Caroline Reid. Photo provided by Honey Jazz. Photography by A3KD Inc.

Musical director Jomo Slusher, Bandleader Kevyn Lynch and Honey Jazz host Caroline Reid all spoke about their support of the festival and the importance of platforms for local artists and musicians to be celebrated and recognized.

At the end of the launch, some of the artists performing at the festival treated the audience to an impromptu Jazz freestyle, showing the world class talent that will be taking to the stage.

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story S02E01 Recap

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story S02E01 Recap

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

I don’t remember ever having come to hate and despise a character in as short a time and as much as I did in this first episode of the new season of American Crime Story. And certainly not so quickly after having first sympathised with them. The opening sequence of this episode was so evocative. And going into the series knowing that Darren Criss’ character – Andrew Cunanan – killed Gianni Versace, seeing him go into the ocean and screaming and then rushing into a bathroom to throw up, I felt sorry for him. Here I thought that he was conflicted about what he was about to do. I mean, sure, he’s about to kill someone, but he has enough of a heart to feel conflicted about it right?

Apparently not. Because in the very next scene we see him for exactly who he is; a liar and a fraud.

Just ignoring him squeezing his crotch as he watched the husband of whoever that woman was sleep, his behaviour in his flashback to his meeting Versace slowly made him unlikeable. It was rude of Versace to just ignore him like that, but Andrew forced himself into a conversation with Versace while also interrupting one he was already having and then treated the friend that introduced him to Versace like a servant. What instantly solidified him as a trash person, was that his version of events were a complete and total like. But beyond that, that his whole demeanour and personality is fake. Which came off in the actual events as well.

He was established as a pathological liar when his friend confronted him about lying about his cultural background and his sexuality. The latter of which wouldn’t make him a bad person on it’s own, but it’s simply another in a series of lies he tells to everyone. He never tells the truth I he’s a thief. Had the woman that he’s apparently living with not walked in on him trying on her husband’s suit, I have no doubt that he would have just taken it. Then he made a show of making himself pitiable so she would feel sorry for him for wearing her husband’s clothes without asking. The man is amazingly manipulative. There is nothing likeable about him and the show made such quick work of making him so.

He lied so much that I doubted that he had the date with Versace at the opera. I thought he’d shown up with the plan to just somehow weasel his way into another conversation with the man. But it looked like he was actually invited. Which would explain how he got the seats that he did. I was wondering about that.

As much of a bad person as I thought that he was, I was shocked to find out that Andrew had killed four other people before Versace and that he was a wanted serial killer. Firstly because I was five years old when this whole thing happened and know nothing about the murder or Versace or Andrew, but secondly because he wasn’t in hiding at all. At least in the flash backs. Unless he killed those other four people in between meeting and killing Versace. If not, he was very bold indeed to have been just walking around normally when he was wanted by the FBI.

Speaking of law enforcement, I did not take kindly to the way that Versace’s boyfriend – Antonio D’Amico – was being questioned. The questions he was asking about Antonio and Versace’s sex life had nothing to do with anything and were completely inappropriate. He was even dismissive of their relationship. He  got around to asking for the numbers of the other men Antonio and Versace slept with to form a list of persons of interest, but that was not at all why he asked about their sex life to begin with. He wasn’t even being pervert, just a closed-minded homophobe.

I love, love, love Penelope Cruz as Donatella Versace. It’s inspired casting. Other than that though, she did very well in what little we saw of her in this episode and I like Dontella as a character so far. She’s strong and the deep love and devotion she has for her brother is so evident. Her greatest concern is preserving his legacy. Her speech about the person he was and how hard he worked to build his empire was captivating not only in terms of the words, but in Cruz’s performance.

I’m not sure if Versace was openly gay or not, but part of preserving his legacy seems to be keeping his sexuality from going public. If he was openly gay then I believe what she wants to keep from getting out is the details of his sex life as described by Antonio. Either way I can understand her trying to stop it from getting out. If he was closeted, just because he’s dead doesn’t mean that she should just let it get out. I love how she is protecting her brother.

I was a little worried about Cruz doing Donatella’s very thick Italian accent given that she herself has a very thick Spanish accent, but it worked out fine. It doesn’t sound terrible to me, but I’m not Italian so it likely won’t sound off or wrong to my ears even if it is. It slipped a few times during her speech, however.

Random thoughts:

  1. Did she see him touching himself?
  2. And he’s a stalker too?!
  3. I thought those clothes were actually his.
  4. Probably should have killed the man who saw his face when he fled the scene.
  5. Why is he still so close to the crime scene?
  6. Did she just model behind the news reporter?
  7. Officer: “I don’t want to make presumptions.” BUT YOU ARE!
  8. He collected the newspapers? Is he making a scrap book?

The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story airs Wednesdays at 10 PM on FX.

Barbados Independent Film Festival Awards 2018 Winners

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
Barbados Independent Film Festival Awards 2018 Winners

As it did last year, this year’s Barbados Independent Film Festival came to a close with a moonlit, beach-side screening of short films at the Southern Palms Beach Club in Dover, Christ Church. Along with the screenings were the awards for the festival. Below is the list of winners.

 

Jury Awards

Best Feature Length Narrative Film

6 Dynamic Laws for Success (In Life, Love & Money) by Gregory Bayne

Best Local Filmmaker Award

Rommel Hall for Abiola by Rommel Hall

Carmichael Award for Exceptional Storytelling

Green Days by the River by Michael Mooleedhar

McNeel Impact Award

SEED: The Untold Story  by Jon Betz

 

Honorary Awards

Best Short on the Beach

Climate Countdown by Kaia Rose

Audience Choice Award

Concealed by Lyall Sumner

The Sir Trevor Carmichael & Jennifer Smith Founders Award 

Poetry is an Island – Derek Walcott by Ida Does

BIFF Wish It Were Longer Short Award

Standing Eight by Kazy Tauginas

Best Short Film

See You Yesterday by Stefon Bristol

Best Documentary Film

Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski

Best of Festival Award

Bad Idea Gone Wrong by Jason Headly

 

Honorary Awards

Award for Artistic Excellence

Alison Hinds

Trident Award for Achievement in Film

Shakirah Bourne

Lifetime Achievement Award

Lone Scherfig

Black Lightning S01E01 Recap

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
Black Lightning S01E01 Recap

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

2018 is definitely the year of the Black superhero. Not only are we getting Black Panther in February and the second season of Marvel/Netflix’s Luke Cage sometime this year, but just before they arrive we also have what is poised to be the next big superhero TV series: Black Lightning. And just in one episode it has proved that it is far better than all of its other DC/CW shows. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t suffer their fate and get progressively worse over a very short period of time. This show is almost too good and too sophisticated to be on The CW.

I didn’t get invested in this episode – and the show on the whole – until after Anissa and Jennifer were kidnapped. Up until that point, the show was pretty much just establishing the characters and the world in which they exist. It wasn’t boring, but it wasn’t exactly captivating for me. That being said, it introduced the characters very well and characterised them succinctly and efficiently. So that before the episode was even finished, I felt like I knew who they were and understood where they were coming from. They feel like real people.

I must say though that I don’t particularly like Jennifer right now. As someone who knows what her community is going through at the moment and who is behind the chaos and turmoil, she really should not have gone into a club that shares the same name as the gang ruining her community and is a well known hang out spot for its members. I have no idea what she was looking for and what she expected to get from the place.

More unlikeable than her, however, are Will and Lala. They’re both despicable. Will because he literally just met Jennifer in the same club and offered her up to be forced into prostitution so that he could pay off his debt to Lala. And Lala for suggesting it in the first place (the fact that he employs children to sell drugs also makes him detestable). I knew that something bad was going to happen when that random guy wouldn’t let Jennifer leave the booth that she was sharing with Will, but I didn’t expect it to be something like that.

That’s one thing that separates this show from the rest of the DC/CW comic book shows; it’s awfully mature. It’s not just because it features drugs, gang culture, gun violence, racial profiling and police brutality, but the way it handles them too. Even before those elements are introduced it feels mature, just because of its direction and tone. It doesn’t feel like a CW show at all.

I haven’t made up my mind about how I feel about Anissa yet, but one thing that both she and Jennifer did that I really loved them for was beating up Will for being the punk ass that he is. Again the show went in a different direction than I expected when he showed up to the school looking for Jennifer. I didn’t think that it would escalate to him reaching for his gun to shoot Anissa. I didn’t think that he would have a gun on him to begin with. Anissa had every right to lay him out the way that she did, but it was perhaps not for the best. With people like Will, those kind of reactions only make the situation worse and boy did the situation get way worse.

He kidnapped Anissa and Jennifer. Right out of their school. The only reason I can come up with for him doing that was he was “disrespected” so he felt he needed to react violently and put them in their place. I have no idea why he took them to Lala other than he intended to make good on forcing Jennifer – and now Anissa – into prostitution. All because they told him to take a hike…

…the fragility of this man.

Another thing this episode needs to be commended for is that it truly established the 100 as a legitimate threat and made the stakes feel real and immediate. Not just for Jefferson/Black Lightning, but for their entire community. And it did it in a way that no other DC/CW show has. Sure, the other shows have villains that could destroy the city or the world or the multiverse, but the villain and the threat he poses is always fantastical. This is so grounded and real. This kind of “villain”, this kind of danger actually exists and that makes the villain far more terrifying than Reverse Flash, Ra’s Al Ghul and Vandal Savage and the threat he poses that much more deeply felt. I hope that he doesn’t become a metahuman with super powers.

I really don’t want Jefferson to go back to being Black Lightning. Just because I want him to get what he wants. Which, is to get back with Lynn and to continue doing the work he is with his school. If the whole thing with Will, Anissa and Jennifer hadn’t happened, I don’t think he would have. Although, given the state of his community, they really did need him to come back.

It was awesome seeing him don the suit and charge into the motel, beating up baddies as he went to go and save his daughters. It was so satisfying to see him hurt Will. In fact, it’s satisfying to see anyone hurt Will and I was really hoping Lala would kill him. Maybe he will. Because of Will’s fragility, he was dragged to see Tobias Whale and shot with a harpoon and now he has to start a war with Black Lightning. This whole mess is Will’s fault.

Random thoughts:

  1. In under three minutes we got two quotes from and a reference to prominent Black historical figures. This show really wants you to know it’s Black.
  2. Not every Black superhero show/movie needs a hip-hop soundtrack. This is quickly becoming a tired old trope.
  3. YAAS! A sista with short natural hair.
  4. Thank you Jennifer for kicking Will in the nuts.
  5. Did this policeman just tell him to get his “black ass” on the ground?
  6. Alfred?
  7. A song that isn’t hip-hop.
  8. Jefferson clearly went to the Clark Kent School of Disguises.

Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9PM on The CW.

‘Green Days by the River’ Film Review

Romario Hunte
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0
‘Green Days by the River’ Film Review

Green Days by the River is the film adaptation of the classic novel of the same name written by Michael Anthony in 1967. This film, written by Dawn Cumberbatch and directed by Michael Mooleedhar, is the coming of age story following the timid Shellie Lammy, called Shell, from the coastal village of Mayaro. Having an ailing father, he decides to forgo attending school to find employment. It is with this that he becomes close to his neighbor – the man with the long, sharp, cutlass at his waist and three massive Tobago dogs – Mr. Gidharee, who lets Shell take home fruits from his land for his family. This man is also the father of the dougla “jane” that Shell has had his eye on since he moved, Rosalie. It is through him that Shell becomes close to her all while Mr. Gidharee is quite fond of Shell. However, complications arise when Shell is introduced to another “jane” from Sangre Grande who he also takes a liking to. Here is where the core conflict is created.

When I first heard that this story was being translated to the screen, I honestly expected a very pedestrian transplanting of the novel. However, after watching the first five minutes of the picture, I was confident that we were in the hands of a careful filmmaker. I really want to emphasize “filmmaker” because Moodleedhar really displayed his competence in the film language within this work.

I immediately felt nostalgia for a time I myself have never experienced. I didn’t feel like I was merely looking at the past; I was immersed within it. The locations, art direction and costuming really worked together to create authentic imagery that really forced you to feel immersed in the 1954 setting.

The cinematography was very well handled even though it was unconventionally minimalistic. When watching this film, expect long takes with a slowly moving camera which is a style this reviewer enjoys, but others may find distracting. This style of cinematography works to emphasize which character’s point of view the director wants the audience to identify with. There are some scenes, however, in which the framing felt uncomfortably close. I am not sure if they were famed that way to hide modern day objects that would be anachronistic.

Screenshot from the ‘Green Days by the River’ trailer.
Pictured: Anand Lawkaran as Mr. Gidharee and Sudai Tafari as Shell.

The most memorable actor was Anand Lawkaran who plays Mr. Gidharee. He was perfectly cast as his performance felt the most authentic of all the performers on the screen; no other actor matched his authenticity. On the other hand, I was honestly a little disappointed in the performances from Sudai Tafari and Nadia Kandhai who play Shell and Rosalie respectively. Many times, their expressions and line delivery were lack-lustre as if they were not particularly sure of the motivation of particular lines.

Perhaps this could also be a problem with the script because there were some lines directly taken from the book that, while being fine in the novel, came off a little clunky on the screen. The only other nit-pick on acting that I have is Shell’s father’s coughing. I think the portrayal of sick characters is a delicate thing to balance. In this case, his coughing can come off distractingly forced. Otherwise, the performances from the cast all around were very well done.

As for the pacing of the film, it felt like it took too long to develop to the core conflict of the story; I believe this film could have been a little shorter because some scenes seemed to drag on closer to the first half of the film. However, when you felt that you were going to hit the edge of a snooze, the AMAZING score by Laura Karpman would jolt you back to life. The score for this film was pure excellence while it boosted the Caribbean flavour of this work.

Overall, I think that this film is very much a faithful adaptation of the beloved Caribbean novel and will be a must-see film for literary and motion picture students for generations to come.

America’s Next Top Model C24E02 Recap

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
America’s Next Top Model C24E02 Recap

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

The Runway Challenge

The competition is on! The final 15 girls have been chosen and this week they had their first runway challenge and second fashion show. For this week’s challenge they were coached by none other than Stacey McKenzie. I really miss having Miss Jay on the show, especially his runway lessons and his funny comments and how he imitated the girls’s walks, but I do like Stacey so I’m glad they at least replaced him with someone I can get behind.

The girls were fine for the most part during their teach. Only two of them really stood out for me as amazing runway models already: Coura and Jeana. Liz was sloppy, messy and just all around terrible like all of us would have expected given how she walked in last week’s runway show and Ivana was, once again, disappointing. Honestly, right now the highlight of her performance on the show has been the auditions.

Once it came to the actual runway show though – in which the girls wore clothing from Baja East – it was a different story.

So many of the girls benefited from the lesson with Stacey. Most of them noticeably improved and I was impressed by how much better they got in such a short space of time. Erin didn’t walk as slowly as before, Liz was toned down significantly and looked put together and Shanice looked confident whereas she hadn’t before. Khrystyana owned that runway; she was fierce, powerful and commanding.

At least one girl has to fall or mess up in someway when it comes to the runway challenges and this week that was Brendi K. and Ivana. What with Brendi K? It looked like she meant to step off of the runway, not like she slipped. Ivana was stiff, awkward and uncoordinated and she didn’t even stop to pose!

Maggie didn’t mess up or anything but she seemed to do the opposite of the other girls. Whereas they got better after the teach she seemed to have gotten worse. She looked awkward and did this weird thing with her face. She just looks like she’s trying too hard.

In any case, I’m not surprised that Khrystyana won the challenge. From the second she stepped onto the runway there really wasn’t any competition.

At The House

More drama at the house! ANTM girls seem to have a thing about food it the fridge. Remember Alexandra and her chicken? I member. It was unnecessary of Brendi K. to make a big deal about the half eaten apple. She could have just ignored it. It had nothing to do with her, per se. At the same time though, they do live in a shared space and it’s necessary to respect the other people in the house and just be cleanly. I think that her growing up poor had more to do with it than just her having to clean up after herself though. It was a perfectly good apple and it was going to waste.

The Photoshoot

Putting prosthetic baby bumps on the models so that they could do a maternity shoot was a very strange concept. Especially because it had absolutely nothing to do with fashion. But this is America’s Next Top Model; strange photoshoots are a dime a dozen.

Drew said that what he was looking for from the girls was excitement in their photos; for them to glow. Most of the girls went for that on set and overall they performed well. Neither Rio nor Jeana went for what Drew wanted, but from what they were doing on set it was working more for Jeana than for Rio. Rio looked a little too stern. Liz kind of didn’t go for it either and, again, she was sloppy and messy. But I got the feeling that her photo would be a lot better than expected

I’m impressed that Rhiyan was able to pull it together even though the shoot triggered a painful memory for her. I would like to commend Brendi K for that as well, but she didn’t. She didn’t do as badly to me as the commentary from Drew made it look, but she still didn’t put her best foot forward.

The person who performed the worst on set, however, was Maggie. I was pretty upset with how she conducted herself. She said herself that the shoot wasn’t her and it looked like because of that she just decided not to take it seriously. She was a clown on set and she was being very disrespectful. I didn’t like how she carried herself at all.

My top two picks to go home at this point were Ivana and Brendi K.

Judging

The judges and I were way out of sync when it came to this week’s photos. Pretty much all of the photos that they liked and praised, I didn’t like at all.

Click to view image.

Khrystyana’s photo was fine; she could have done more with the pose (which looks a little uncomfortable) and with her face. Rhiyan’s face in her photo was amazing, but her pose did not suit the kind of shoot they were doing; she looked like someone hunched over with exhaustion and kind of like a bro. Rio’s photo I didn’t like. I thought that the face and the pose were just blah and how the coat hung off of her bump made her look like she had some truly odd poroportions. Liz’s photo came out a lot better than it should have, but it still wasn’t very good. That being said, her legs were gorgeous and she looked confident. Kyla’s photo was beautiful, but a lot of it had to do with the styling; she did nothing with her face or with her body.

Click to view image.

Jeana looked like a regal French aristocrat, delicate yet powerful, effortless, sexy and sensual. She was just perfection. I expected more from Erin given how she did on set. Her photo was kind of boring and you can’t even see her bump. The face is beautiful but the pose did nothing for me.The best part of Liberty’s photo was her leg. I loved how she created a line from her arm right down to her toe. Her face could have been stronger, though. Sandra’s photo was boring; she was just sitting there. I loved how Shanice extended her neck in her photo and kind of looked down her nose at the camera.

Click to view image.

Brendi K’s pose was very awkward. She looked like she was pushing her pelvis forward, but that may have been the bump itself. Her arm looked dead and she didn’t look soft at all. She looked like she was playing American football. Again Christina looked scared, but even so, she looked like a South American princess. Like she was afraid but determined to do whatever it took to protect her unborn child. Her photo had a narrative and it was beautiful. Coura was just stunning. She looked like a ballerina and she wasn’t even on her toes. She could have put her legs wider apart, but other than that the photo was lovely.

Maggie’s photo was also beautiful. The face, the pose, everything. It wasn’t nearly as good as her audition photo and she didn’t look much like a model, but the photo was beautiful and she looked beautiful in it. Again, Ivana’s performance on set was better than her actual photo. The face is gorgeous, but the pose is meh.

The Call Out Order And The Elimination

I do not agree with Coura being called first. If anything it should have been Jeana or Liberty and Coura would have been third. Rio and Erin should not have been called before Jeana and Liberty, who should have been called before both Khrystyana and Christina and especially Liz, Kyla, and Ivana. I don’t mind Rhiyan being called before Liberty, but the other seven…no way. Sandra got called in the right place (third to last), but Kyla should have been down there with her.

I don’t have a particular order I think they should have been called in, but Jeana, Liberty and Coura definitely should have been the top three. Rio should not have been called second and Maggie had no right being in the bottom two! That was such B.S. Her photo was not bad at all and there is no way, now way she should have been sent home. Brendi K. did worse in the challenge and in the shoot. She was the worst model this week. She is the one who should have been sent home. Not Maggie. I suspect Maggie’s behaviour on set had something to do with it, but really she should have stayed.

Random thoughts:

  1. Did…did we just see their makeovers in the opening?
  2. I don’t know how I feel about Maggie’s “home girl-ness.”
  3. I swear Liz is this cycle’s Jael and a little bit of Lisa.
  4. I was pronouncing Jeana wrong this entire time.

America’s Next Top Model airs Tuesdays at 8PM on VH1.

America’s Next Top Model C24E01 Recap

K.F. Cumberbatch
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0
America’s Next Top Model C24E01 Recap

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

America’s Next Top Model is back for its second season since being cancelled by the CW – and found a new home on VH1 – with Cycle 24. With a brand new season comes the return of a familiar face; Tyra Banks. That’s right, as the episode title says “The Boss Is Back!” She’s reclaimed her throne as host of the show with one important change; there is no longer an age limit.

The Auditions

As with every cycle of ANTM, we start the season with the auditions. Here too things are being done a little differently, with the model hopefuls bringing with them a photo which illustrates their raw talent. Now, when I heard that, I didn’t expect the girls to show off professionally taken photos with make-up, styling and the whole nine yards. I expected photos along the lines of what Shanice had; what looked to be a photo taken with her cellphone. I would have preferred to see photos like Shanice’s. That are really, actually “raw.”

That being said, quite a few of the photos were stunning indeed. Of the ones that we got to see, Ivana’s, Khrystyana’s, Christina’s, Jeana’s and Maggie’s really stood out to me. They were striking, the girls looked like models and they were, as Tyra would say, modelling “H to T.” From those five, Khrystyana, Jeana and Maggie were the best.

Of course, Christina stood out for another reason besides her stunning photo. She started off the competition getting on the wrong side of the judges by having an “attitude.” She did lack a certain degree of humility in how she carried herself and how she spoke about her talent as a model, but I don’t think that she meant to have an attitude or be rude. I think she just didn’t express herself very well. At this point in the show, when we don’t know the contestants well yet, I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

The Photoshoot

With so many girls we really didn’t get to see how they did on the photo shoot, but judging from what little we were shown and the feedback from Drew and the photographer, with the exception of Ilka, Erin, Sandra and Laminat who struggled, they all did pretty well. And their final photos were really good too. Well, with some exceptions.

Liz’s photo surprised me with how good it was, but I’m not surprised that it was one from after Drew told her to try not to look drunk. Khrystyana looked like an avant garde Blair Waldorf mixed with Maria Antoinette a la Sophia Coppola. Erin’s wasn’t particularly strong but she looked pretty. Maggie’s outfit was a whole lot of everything, but she shined through it and my eye immediately went to her face – which was gorgeous – and she needs to be commended for that. I’m not a huge fan of Rio’s pose but her face really sold the photo.

Sandra’s was bland. Coura wasn’t great but I think that she could do better if given then chance to learn and grow. Allexia…just no…no. Shanice didn’t bring it; she was just kind of standing there but it wasn’t a completely bad photo. I was not loving Liberty’s pose but she gave good face. Laminat’s dress overwhelmed her. I like Rhiyan’s photo but it’s slightly above basic; her face isn’t very strong but I think she has potential. Jeana’s photo I absolutely love; her face really sells it but that has a lot to do with just how her face is naturally – she’s a high fashion girl. Her pose isn’t exaggerated or anything but she really brought energy to it. Ivana’s photo was terrible and surprisingly so considering the photo she presented during auditions. She just looked lost and confused.

Ilka’s was even worse; she looked high and like she was stumbling. Kyla’s was just blah, but I think she’s another contestant who could do well if given the chance and instruction. Chrissy was lost in her dress and I could barely see her face. I liked Brendi K.’s photo; everything just worked. Christina’s was weak; she looked sad and scared.

At this point in the episode, the girls I thought needed to go home were Christina, Chrissy, Ilka and Allexia. They had the worst photos of the bunch. The girls that could go but I wouldn’t be mad if they stayed were Sandra, Coura, Shanice and Ivana. Ivana I really wanted to put in the “need to go” list just because my initial reaction to her photo was so intensely negative. She did not make her outfit shine. In fact, she made it look ugly. In the little it of her shoot we got to see she seemed to be doing well and I loved that she was really moving it around and I expected a lot from her final photo. So I’m just disappointed.

When Ilka and Laminat were sent home I wasn’t displeased.

The Runway Show

The runway show was pretty much just like the photo shoot; we didn’t get to see much but from what we did see the girls did well with a few exceptions. Liz was too much, Erin was too slow, Sandra walked too fast and seemed really awkward and Christina’s walk was trash, just as Law said. Her performance at the runway show, coupled with her photo solidified her as my number one person to go home.

At The House

Of course there was drama at the house because, quite frankly, when is there not? Liz who had up to this point been nothing but fun, bubbly and energetic, did a complete 180 degree turn and was a sobbing, whiny mess, pouring her heart out to Khrystyana who was pretty much not there for it at all. She was being so loud that pretty much every other girl in the house rushed to see what was going on.

I’m not sure what Liz was upset about or what was making her feel “crappy.” She did very well up to that point and hadn’t been given any bad critiques as far as we saw. Her outburst came out of nowhere. I guess the “downside” with Liz is that she feels everything with the same level of intensity we had seen from her earlier. She seems like someone who just has a lot of feelings and they just shoot out of her uncontrollably. And of course she broke down in front of Tyra.

The Final 14  15

I was not at all happy that Erin was seemingly sent home when Christina, who did far worse performance wise, was staying. Every other girl I thought that should have been sent home was except for her. But Tyra was pulling a fast one on all of us and Erin was chosen as the 15th contestant of the cycle. She joined Shanice, Ivana, Rhiyan, Kyla, Brendi K, Liz, Christina, Jeana, Maggie, Sandra, Liberty, Coura, Rio and Khrystyana. Overall, I’m happy with the girls that were chosen to participate in the season.

At present my front runners are, in no particular order; Khrystyana, Maggie, Rio, Jeana and Brendi K.

Random thoughts:

  1. Liberty looks like an Instagram model.
  2. Liz is just energy.
  3. Christina looks like a teenager.
  4. There is nothing “home girl” about Maggie. Maybe she’s “black enough” for the very white community she lives in.
  5. I actually forgot about Luminat.

America’s Next Top Model airs Tuesdays at 8PM on VH1.

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