A cinema questioning "West Indian" identity
In 2025, French media was quick to talk about the “renaissance” of French Caribbean cinema. Dr. Guillaume Robillard promoted his second book, “Un cinéma décolonial : les personnages du cinéma antillais” (Decolonial Cinema: Characters in Caribbean Cinema), which offers an academic perspective on a (self-)invisibilized theme. “There is no Caribbean audience” is certainly the most common remark I’ve heard over the last ten years, even though films are produced fairly regularly. Most of them are short films, of course. I'm just saying that it's a significant output, but one that is considered uninteresting. The popular enthusiasm generated by “Zion” and “Fanon” has highlighted the existence of a certain community audience that wants representation, but also the lack of reflection on the representations offered. It’s as if there were a tacit agreement not to contradict the humanization (or even dehumanization, from my POV) of this “Caribbean” identity, which is conceived and sold as a single entity. All this to guarantee the success of a film by limiting the criteria for success solely to the number of admissions.
Beyond the subjectivity of our individual tastes in judging whether we like these films or not, what are our expectations in terms of cultural representation or even identity from the perspective of Guadeloupe and Martinique? I was puzzled as I found myself “confronted” with a refusal to discuss this aspect in the name of blind support due to the marketing of indignation. Apart from comments such as “this is real life in the Caribbean” or “this is the (harsh) reality of the Caribbean,” how do our films highlight what defines us as a community OUTSIDE of the struggle against injustice and discrimination? Here is a non-exhaustive list of films featuring characters from Guadeloupe and/or Martinique that can open up this type of discussion. Please note that these are not recommendations, but an invitation to go beyond the usual comment “it's a powerful, committed, militant film.” These feature films are listed in chronological order based on when the plot takes place, from the most distant future to the most distant past.
Battledream Chronicle (2015) by Alain Bidard
One interpretation of Martinican identity in the 2100s. It will make you reflect on our concept of freedom and the political system that governs us. [podcast episode]
2. Zion (2025) by Nelson foix
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 2020s. A will to immortalize the Guadeloupean lifestyle, punctuated by gwoka music and Carnival in the early 2020s.
3. Zépon (2021) by Gilles Elie-dit-Cosaque
One interpretation of Martinican identity in the 2020s. The poetic immortalization of pitt-a-coq culture through a father-daughter relationship.
4. Elza (2011) by Mariette Monpierre
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 2010s. The immortalization of a return to the homeland coupled with a family quest through a father-daughter relationship.
5. Tèt Grenné (2000) by Christian Grandman
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 2000s. Immortalizing the importance of community and intergenerational transmission for survival.
6. Nèg Maron (2001) by Jean-Claude Berny
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the early 2000s. The portrayal of idle youth in search of fulfillment. [podcast episode]
7. Siméon (1992) by Euzhan Palcy
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 1990s. A celebration of our music as the heart of our culture. The immortalization of our relationship with joy in our community gatherings: the cooks' festival, the vigil, the concert.
8. Les Rascals (2023) by Jimmy Laporal-Trésor
An interpretation of self-definition in the face of racism from the perspective of adolescents in mainland France in the 1980s.
9. Ô Madiana (1979) by Constant Gros-Dubois
One interpretation of self-definition in the face of racism from an adult perspective in mainland France in the 1970s. [blog article]
10. Coco La fleur Candidat (1978) by Christian Lara
An interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 1970s. A reminder of the social dynamics in post-World War II Guadeloupe. The importance of putting the Guadeloupean people at the heart of all political action.
11. Rue Cases-Nègres (1982) by Euzhan Palcy
One interpretation of Martinican identity in the 1930s. The immortalization of life in the plantations and our ability to succeed in the education system, thanks to the values passed down through our history.
Honorable mention
Films whose cultural understanding is less intuitive and therefore more complicated on first viewing.
Nonm (2024) by Kichena
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 2020s. A desire to promote our spiritualities with African, Indian, and European roots.
L’homme au bâton (2024) by Christian Lara
One interpretation of Guadeloupean identity in the 2020s. A desire to highlight our individual responsibilities in resolving social violence.