T&T Premiere: Welcome to the Smiling Coast / Gifts from Babylon

CULTUREGO Magazine, in partnership with Caribbean Creativity invites you to the Trinidad & Tobago PREMIERE of Welcome to the Smiling Coast(2016) and Gifts from Babylon (2018) followed by a Q& A with the producer of both films, Dr. Emiel Martens from the Netherlands..

Wednesday 3 October, 2018
Doors open 6pm
Film starts at 7pm
at Grundlos Kollektiv (11 Cipriani Boulevard, Port of Spain)

Admission Free

RSVP REQUIRED (Limited seating) at infoculturego@gmail.com

Welcome to the Smiling Coast

Directed by Bas Ackermann, produced by Emiel Martens
Documentary | 72’ | 2016 | T&T Premiere
Welcome to the Smiling Coast is a feature-length documentary that captures the daily struggles of fifteen youngsters moving within the informal economy of the Gambian tourism industry of sun, safari and sex. With the lure of a better future just around the corner, do they try their luck abroad or find their peace at home?

Gifts from Babylon

Directed by Bas Ackermann, produced by Emiel Martens
Narrative short | 24’ | 2018 | Pre-Premiere
Modou, a young Gambian, is deported to his native country after having lived illegally in Europe for five years. Back home, his family and friends do not recognize him anymore. Modou’s flashy lifestyle and bling-bling attitude push him away from his family. On top of that, the debts he left behind years ago have not been forgotten by local fixer Jimmy. Suffering from intense flashbacks of his ‘Babylon’ life in Europe, and experiencing African ghetto life all over again, he wonders what has become of him…