A Caribbean Dream is a 2017 romantic comedy, produced by Melissa Simmonds and Lynette Eastmond, directed by Shakirah Bourne. The adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was conceptualised and cast by Melissa Simmonds and written by Shakirah Bourne. The film stars Aden Gillett as Theseus, Sonia Williams as Hippolyta, Susannah Harker as Titania and Adrian Green as Oberon with Lorna Gayle as Bottom. There is an extensive cast of both English and Barbadian actors, this re-imagined traditional tale takes a twist under the full moon, as many wonders occur during this fated Caribbean Festival.[1][2]
| A Caribbean Dream | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Shakirah Bourne |
| Written by | Shakirah Bourne |
| Produced by | Melissa Simmonds Lynette Eastmond |
| Starring | Aden Gillett, Sonia Williams, Susannah Harker, Adrian Green, Lorna Gayle |
Release date |
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The film won Best Feature at the 2017 London Independent Film Festival,[3] Best Produced Drama at the 2018 National Film Awards in the UK,[4] Best International Film at the 2017 Charlotte Black Film Festival,[5] and Best Produced Screenplay at the 2017 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards.[6][7] Additionally, it was nominated for the East End Film Festival in 2017[8]
Plot
editSet in modern day, on the Caribbean island of Barbados, the film "plays out in a carnival atmosphere as Puck - the butler - and the staff of a tropical home, turn into mischievous fairies and tamper with the wedding plans of three couples".[9][10] While Theseus and Hippolyta are returning nationals, we also reconvene with some of our beloved characters, including Birdman and a Changeling boy, the mechanicals re-imagined as fishermen, the fairies carrying mobile phones, and a female Bottom as a Black Belly Sheep.[11][12] Through an intertwining of Caribbean and Shakespearean folklore, culture history, and the surrounding landscape, the story unfolds in chaos and madness as mystery, magic and romance take over underneath the Caribbean moonlight.
Hermia is promised in marriage to Demetrius, but she is in love with Lysander, who is also secretly in love with her. Hermia must marry Demetrius or forfeit everything, so she and Lysander flee into the forest. Meanwhile, Helena pines for Lysander, but the more she pursues him (via mobile phone) the faster he flees.
Meanwhile a group of fishermen and women are preparing for a talent contest by creating a play, The Untold Story of King JaJa and The Young Becca, based on a local folk song about the relationship between King Jaja of Opobo and a young Barbadian girl.
Moving from the beach, to the dream-like and magical fairy kingdom in the forest, to the frenzy of the modern-day carnival, the story moves along as Oberon asks Puck to use a love potion on Queen Titania in order to make her fall in love with the first living creature she sees upon waking. Later the same tactic is used, accidentally, on Lysander, causing him to fall in love with Helena, resulting in a fight between Hermia and Helena.
In the end, after all the madness and chaos is sorted out, the film finishes with a triple wedding.[13]
Cast
edit- Aden Gillett as Theseus
- Sonia Williams as Hippolyta
- Adrian Greene as Oberon/Head of Gardening
- Susannah Harker as Titania/Head of Housekeeping
- Lorna Gayle as Bottom the Fisherwoman
- Simon Alleyne as Quince
- Patrick Michael Foster as Puck
Production
editThe film was the brainchild of British and Barbadian producer Melissa Simmonds, the film was shot in Barbados in 2015 with 75% Barbadian and 25% British cast and crew .[14][5] This film explores Caribbean folklore and culture through a unique and entertaining re-telling of one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. While other adaptations, notably Much Ado About Nothing (2012) are shot in mono-chrome, this film uses bold, vibrant, and hyper realistic colors to immerse the viewer into the fairy tale.[15] Though it is not a straight retelling of Shakespeare's play, it includes a great portion of the original text and original soul of the play, intertwining it with an authentic, upbeat Barbadian soundtrack.[13][16] As director Shakirah Bourne adds: "What you will see when you watch A Caribbean Dream is Shakespeare’s words spoken in Bajan dialect and with a Bajan accent, and the visuals will definitely help with the understanding of the play".[17]
Executive Producers: Christian Roberts and Keith Morris.
Reception
editA Caribbean Dream garnered much attention over its release, and its unique multicultural production. On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 67%, based on 6 reviews.[18] On Caution Spoilers review aggregator website, the film receives 4 out of 5 stars. In her review, Sarah, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, states: "It’s an excellent introduction to one of his loveliest plays, in an accessibly modern setting. And while cutting so much is always going to mean losing some depth, it is still a rather magical retelling of an age-old story".[13]
Writing for The Guardian, Cath Clarke gave the film three out of five stars.[11]
References
edit- ^ "A Caribbean Dream". The Film Catalogue.
- ^ "Review: A Caribbean Dream". BRWC. 5 February 2018.
- ^ "London Independent Film Festival". London Independent Film Festival. Archived from the original on 24 February 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ "National Film Awards". National Film Awards.
- ^ a b "Barbadian Film opens in UK cinemas". Nation News. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- ^ "YET ANOTHER WIN FOR A CARIBBEAN DREAM". Zeitgeist Entertainment Magazine. 30 March 2018.
- ^ "Barbados Films Upping The Game". Caribbean Entertainment Hub. 27 May 2018.
- ^ "A Caribbean Dream". East End Film Festival.
- ^ "Shakespeare Heads To The Islands For A Caribbean Dream". The Voice. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019.
- ^ "A Caribbean Dream". Eye for Film.
- ^ a b "A Caribbean Dream review – Shakespeare goes to carnival". The Guardian. 10 November 2017.
- ^ Potton, Ed. "Film review: A Caribbean Dream". The Times.
- ^ a b c "A Caribbean Dream". Caution Spoilers. 6 February 2018.
- ^ "UK & CARIBBEAN FILM DEVELOPMENT". UK & Caribbean Film Development.
- ^ "From director Shakirah Bourne, new film A Caribbean Dream tells us two things – that Barbados is quite possibly Paradise on Earth, and that Shakespeare travels extremely well". Shakespeare Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Film Review: A Caribbean Dream". The London Economic. 10 November 2017. Archived from the original on 24 July 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
- ^ "Barbadian Shakirah Bourne — living the Dream". Caribbean Beat. May 2016.
- ^ "A Caribbean Dream". Rotten Tomatoes.