EV - Episode 1 - Battledream Chronicle
Yé Moun La ! Welcome to Episode 1. We’re talking about the film “Battledream Chronicle” by Alain Bidard. It’s a film from Martinique. You can stream it at Caribbeantales.-tv.com, Kweli TV or storyplay.tv.
0:00 - 0:37 : intro + opening credits
0:37 - 1:55 : self-introduction. I’m Patra M, born and raised in Guadeloupe. Moved to Paris to go to university. I got my Master degree in History. I’m in my 30’s. This podcast is to explore the representations and images behind the word “Caribbean”.
1:55 - 3:00 : explanation of the name Karukerament. The English interpretation and the French interpretation.
3:00 - 4:25 : the history of the French version of Karukerament and the reason for launching the English version.
4:25 - 5:34 : presentation of the three segments : Yé Krik Yé Krak is to tell you the plot, the Caribbean connections is to discuss how the film makes me question my Afrocaribbean/Guadeloupean identity, the Caribbean soundtrack is to listen to three Caribbean songs related to the overall theme of the film.
Yé Krik Yé Krak
5:35 - 7:50 : presentation of “Battledream Chronicle” by Alain Bidard.
7:50 - 8:30 : Why is a badass character like Syenna is important for representation and how “Battledream Chronicle” is important for Caribbean futurism?
Caribbean connection 1
8:30 - 9:16 : how I came across “Battledream Chronicle” while doing research on Afrofuturism in 2017/2018.
9:16 - 10:33 : on growing up while Black in the 90’s and not being represented or being badly represented in animation film.
10:34 - 11:57 : the experience of watching “Battledream Chronicle” with my mom and my sister.
11:58 - 14:30 : on Syenna as a contemporary representation of “fanm potomitan” and a Black hero.
14:30 - 15:16 : “Battledream Chronicle”, a representation of our future with women taking over technology and being political leaders?
Caribbean connection 2
15:17 - 17:40 : on growing up with a lack of interest on any scifi thing.
17:41 - 20:17 : on how I got into Afrofuturism in 2016.
20:18 - 23:30 : on how I got into Caribbean futurism and how Battledream Chronicle depicts the Caribbean from the future based on the Caribbean from the past.
23:31 - 27:00 : on the representation of the environmental and political issues we are currently dealing with + on how to show Caribbean culture through technology and folklore.
27:01 - 28:58 : conclusion on how “Battledream Chronicle” got me thinking about the definition of Afrofuturism vs. Caribbean futurism, Caribbean identity.
Caribbean Soundtrack
28:59 - 32:48 : introduction to Kassav’s “Love and Kadance” (1979) as the first step leading to zouk.
32:49 - 35:10 : introduction to C.Lia Wa’s “Adan An Dot Soléy” (2018) as an example of Caribbean futurism in music.
35:11 - 37:55 : introduction to iShango Sound’s “Lé ou Lov 2069” (2019) as another example of Caribbean futurism in music to talk about our current issues.
37:56 - 3914 : thank you’s + ending credits