Wednesday, 17 December 2014

Captain T&T - Analysis









The story line of this film is about a superhero with a twist. In a interview with The Guardian Newspaper one of the producers mentioned the film was inspired from his childhood memories, daily situations and the social and political climate of Trinidad and Tobago.
When the film begins we see an image of a well dressed man telling a story of when he was a little boy. One of the themes that stood out in the film were bravery, despite all his trial and error when it came to searching for a super power, this six year old boy did not let that get him discouraged. 
However, when a child is that young, he or she will have hopes and dreams of becoming someone important in society. Also, just as "Thin Foot" stated about his mother not knowing what he used to be doing; similarly, many parents are always busy that they are not always aware of the activities their children partake in.

The story that is displayed throughout this film is the dreams and hopes of many children. As the film continue to unfold we learn that the same man telling his story happens to be the prime minister of the country. At the end of the film the audience can the main character's dreams and hopes being fulfilled, as he always wanted to be someone of importance in the country. 



The messages are most applicable to the audience mainly because it shows that dreams do come true. However, there must be perseverance and dedication in everything we do.  




Captain T&T - Synopsis

In this film, Captain T&T, which is based in Trinidad and Tobago is about a six year old child, who wants to become a hero. 
The major character is this film is the six year old boy, who played the role of "Thin Foot". 
Captain T&T was written, produced and directed by Trinbagonian natives, Christopher and Leizelle Guiness. This short film overflows with a distinct island feel and superb cinematography, while at the same time it is able to captivate the audience with its heroic six year old discovering his super powers.





Doubles With Slight Pepper - Analysis

This film, Doubles With Slight Pepper was birthed out of a recent experience of the producer's father who battled with a terminal illness. The producer, Ian Harnarine, stated that in the latter days of his father's life, his father became a person that was completely different from the man that he knew. This experience from his father led Harnarine to wonder what it would have been like to have never known a father until his final days. 

However, Harnarine wanted the story line of this film to be different from the standard immigrant story, so he thought of having a character that has failed in his new country and returned home. Although Trinidad is known for its distinctive food, language and music, the producer wanted the emotions of the film to resonate with a universal audience.

As the film begins, we see Dhani as he is prepared for the day's work to sell doubles by the market. However, when his father appeared and questions him about the how the doubles business is doing, Dhani realizes it is his dad and he is angered by seeing his father. 

This scene shows love - hate relationship between a father and his son. In many homes within the Caribbean this type of relationship can be seen regularly, where a child may resent their parent for leaving. Moreover, in this film Dhani questions his father's reasons for returning to Trinidad. Dhani's father (Ragbir) dreams and hopes for Canada were shattered when he arrived there. He wanted to send for Sumintra and Dhani to open a doubles business, but instead he ended up sharing an apartment and working in a cafeteria washing dishes. 

Due to poverty being a serious issue within the Caribbean many people takes this route an migrate America or Canada with hopes to have an easier life abroad. This film hits home in many ways because it showcases the reality of a returning national.

As the film progresses, Dhani  and his mother ask for the house to be transferred to their name and Ragbir instantly agrees, however, Dhani questions Ragbir of making this easy decision. When Dhani became aware about his father's sickness and he feels cheated because he thinks that is the only reason his father returned. As the film ends Dhani decides to help his father by donating his blood to his dad; however, Dhani soon realizes that his blood does not match. 

This film dealt  with a few social issues but the one that resonated with me was the relationship with Dhani and Ragbir. Although Dhani resented his father for numerous years, when he became aware of what his father undergo whilst in Canada and also knowing about the sickness, Dhani buried the hatchet and tried to help with father. 






Tuesday, 16 December 2014

Doubles With Slight Pepper - Characters

 
 
The Major Characters are:
 
 
Ragbir who is played by Errol Sitahal
 
Dhani who is played by Sanjiv Boodhu
 
Sumintra who is played by Susan Abraham - Hannays
 
Doctor who is played by Ken Boodhu
 
Nurse who is played by Karen Saban
 
Porter who is played by Selvon Ramlal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Doubles With Slight Pepper - Synopsis







Whilst growing up in poverty in the rural parts of Trinidad, Dhani (who is played by Sanjiv Boodhu) struggles to support himself and his Mother Sumintra (who is played by Susan Abraham - Hannays) by selling doubles (which is one of Trinidad and Tobago's Indian cuisine) in the busy market.
Meanwhile, one day Dhani's estranged father Ragbir) reappears and tries to make amends after the years of abandonment. At first, Dhani and his mother does not want to have anything to do with Ragbir.

However, when Sumintra soon realizes that if Ragbir signs over the land that can be their ticket out of povery. Dhani finally decides to ask his father to sign over the land and surprisingly Dhani's father does it.

Later that night, Dhani discovers his father coughing violently but he does not ask much about it. Ragbir acts as if everything is alright but then invites Dhani to spend the following day with him. As the day approached, Ragbir ends up in a doctor's office where he finds out that he has a rare blood disorder and Dhani is the only possible donor.

When Dhani finds out the situation, he becomes angry and leaves the doctor's office. On Christmas eve, while the family celebrates Christmas, Ragbir collapses and is taken to the hospital. At this point, Dhani realizes that he wants to help is father get better and decides to make a blood donation. Although Ragbir's surgery was a success, Ragbir health is still unstable as Dhani's blood does not match. When Dhani becomes aware of this he leaves the hospital and returns back to his Mother.