[English review] "After Mas"

My title is hyper spoiler. I know, I know, I know, I know, I know. But I couldn't think of another one to invite you to (re)discover "After Mas". Directed by Karen Martinez and released in 2013, this film tells the tale of love at first sight between Curtis (Khafra Rudder) and Abi (Carly Coutts) during the J'ouvert in Trinidad. As a carnival tradition mainly followed in the English-speaking Caribbean islands, the J'Ouvert is a large night parade that ends after dawn. Curtis is in the group of the blue devils, Abi is in the group of the red devils. At the heart of the party, they dance together and continue the parade side by side. They exchange intense glances, shy smiles, then the crowd separates them and it’s the return to reality.

I talk about this film in Episode 9 of my podcast Karukerament. I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but I'll just say that these few minutes are enough to talk about the complexity of Caribbean society: class differences, colorism, unemployment, love. Personally, I started writing a carnival romance. I've been stuck for 2 years, but seeing this film made me aware of part of the problem. I'm still setting limits for myself and I'm afraid to explore the themes that really I care about. Maybe I'm not ready to write it yet, but I'm starting to see the end of the tunnel.

AFTER MAS trailer from Riposte Pictures on Vimeo.