Join us for a film screening of The Other Side of Carnival (2010), followed by a Q&A with director Charysse Tia Harper.
The Other Side of Carnival (2010) is a 45-minute documentary that explores the social and economic impact of Carnival on Trinidad & Tobago. Featuring over 60 interviews with a diverse range of individuals—including professors, medical staff, police officers, government officials, students, tourists, and everyday locals—the film highlights that, while Carnival is often seen as an exciting and vibrant celebration, it also brings about underlying turmoil that is either overlooked or ignored.
Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth”, this documentary not only captures the cultural roots of Carnival but also examines the lengths some people go to preserve its original spirit and the efforts of others to introduce changes.
With over two years of research and interviews, and the collaboration of a multinational crew from Trinidad & Tobago, the US, and the UK, The Other Side of Carnival offers a nuanced perspective. Rather than passing judgment, the film seeks to raise awareness about the profound influence Carnival has on the people of Trinidad & Tobago.
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Director: Charysse Tia Harper
Being a dual citizen of the United States and Trinidad & Tobago, Charysse Tia Harper has focused projects on her Trinidad culture: award-winning film, The Other Side of Carnival; T&T 50 in Fifteen and Panomundo Part 1: The Evolution of the Steelpan and Part 2: Pan Worldwide; and on her American identity: award-winning documentary, 12 Months, First Weekend February and Insurance: Putting Newark on the Map. She created Xplore the World in 2010 to further this mission. Amidst the Covid-19 lockdown, Charysse made The Jill of the Trade (2021), a documentary short that highlights women from around the world who work in male-dominated industries. She is in pre-production for Las Matadoras, a feature-length documentary about three female bullfighters. Charysse resides in London.
