Glory Forbidden Love: A Caribbean Carnival Fantasy Film at Barbados Independent Film Festival
January 24, 2025
"Glory Forbidden Love is an award-winning short film set in a carnival fantasy, exploring themes of self-discovery, tradition, and change. Directed by Kriston Campbell, it stars Dwayne White-Junior and celebrates Caribbean storytelling and cultural heritage."
Glory Forbidden Love is a re-imagined story of traditional carnival characters in a carnival fantasy and illustrates “playing ah mas on screen”.
The award-winning short film celebrates the artistry of Caribbean storytelling and cultural heritage.
It will be part of the Barbados Independent Film Festival being held from January 28 to February 2.
The character is on a journey of self-discovery and meets carnival characters who help him along the way. It is a captivating tale of love, self-discovery and explores the tension between tradition and change.
Flinky, a talented craftsman from a community known as the Beige Ones, is on the brink of marrying his beloved Petal. But when he ventures over the forbidden hills in search of inspiration, he discovers a world bursting with colour and vibrancy – a stark contrast to the muted life he has known.
As he is drawn deeper into this new realm, Flinky faces a difficult choice: stay in this new-found bliss or return to the familiar life and love he’s left behind.
This visually and emotionally charged film explores the powerful pull of the unknown, the weight of expectations and the heart’s relentless pursuit of happiness.
It stars Dwayne White-Junior as the main character, Shurnecia Walker, Kimani James, Simone Scipio-Briggs, Damian Holder and Rauf Celestine.
The director is Kriston Campbell.
Writer Keylon Whitlock, a lover of the arts, began his journey as a gospel artiste and church musician. As he delved deeper into his artistic side – designing album covers, producing tracks and filming music videos – he created Keyz Studios to showcase a combination of all art forms in unique ways.
He said the film combines drama, performance, music and art.
The film is inspired by the life and legacy of Tobagonian mas man Wilton “Flinky” Nancis. It is an ode to high mas on screen – celebrating the rich traditions of Caribbean carnival, the intricate artistry of mas-making and the cultural depth that Nancis embodied throughout his life.
The film weaves the spirit of Nancis into its story, honouring his contributions to the art form and immortalising his influence on carnival’s grandeur and complexity. (PR/NS)
