Movie Review: Play The Devil

"Play the Devil" is a locally produced film, which premiered in the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) 2016, to sold out audiences and additional screenings. The movie was directed by Maria Govan and features British Actor, Petrice Jones and Trinidadian Actor, Gareth Jenkins. 

Director: Maria Govan

“Play the Devil” is a multi-layered film that addresses topics such as sexuality, education, poverty and power dynamics. The film is interesting to me because it tackled head on the issues and emotions that a person, in this case a young man of 18, experiences as he gets a handle of his sexual identity. I have never seen sexual identity tackled so openly and honestly in a local film. It also examines the power dynamics between the haves and the have- nots, as well as the issues that arise when age is a significant factor in relationship.

On Screen Lovers and Lead Actors: Gareth Jenkins and Petrice Jones

"Play the Devil" was set against the backdrop of Paramin, a staunchly catholic community with strong ties to the Blue Devil Mas and Tradition. It is against this backdrop that we journey through the lives of a typical Trinidadian experience and explore the complex relationships that exist, mostly unspoken within the society.

Shot from the Movie: Blue Devil Band

The cast of characters are all relate-able to the average Trinbagonian. The grandmother who works as a domestic while taking care of her grandson, in the absence of his father and mother. The strong older brother, who defends his grandmother, hopes of his young brother’s success over himself and who has questionable treatment toward women. The rich business man who made all the “right decision” in life but is unhappy with his choices and the wife, who tries to overlook her husband’s desire for male lovers.

"Play the Devil" was one of the films chosen by FilmTT for development in 2014. I am uncertain the amount of the grant or how much input FilmTT had in the production, however the result in my opinion was quite good.  In fact the movie won two awards that the TTFF 2016- Best Trinidad and Tobago Feature Film and Best Youth Jury.

  

Now…. to rate the film in five areas that I think are relevant.

1.   Representation of Trinidad= 8.5
2.  Representation of issues related to sexual identity in the Caribbean= 8
3. Writing, Editing and Story line = 8.5
4. Audience engagement= 8
5. Appeal for International Market= 8

Total Mean Score- 8.2 =  Find a Movie Screen

Key:

      1-3 = Wait for Cable

      3-6 = Wait for the DVD

      7-9 = Find a Movie Screen

         10 = Find the biggest badest screen ASAP!

Link to Play The Devil movie trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD3odYNGQRA

Some additional thoughts:

1. DISTRIBUTION- Distribution has always been an issue for local films, which is particularly troubling given that it is through distribution that films recoup some of its expenditure and/or get a return on the investment. I am very interested to see what becomes of this film, especially since FilmTT who is charged with developing the business and export capabilities of the local film industry, has been involved in bringing this film to movie screens.
2. TALENT- The lead actor, who despite being good at his craft, is in fact a British actor who has studied for several year abroad. The support cast were all local actors, some have been in the theatre business for years and other were “fresh” faces. To be clear and fair, theatre acting and film acting are two different things which require different abilities. My question is… when we will see a leading actor or actress who is born and bred and training in Trinidad and Tobago. The question is important in the context of building an industry, as a talent pool must be developed of the quality to compete internationally. As I see it, a foreigner won over a local for the lead.

.............................................................................................................

Please feel free to share your comments, views and even rants in the comment section below!