DAMIAN MARCANO | TRINIDAD & TOBAGO | 2013 | 96' | ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Life in Port-of-Spain, capital of Trinidad & Tobago, is tough and dangerous, especially if you live in the Laventille ward, a neighbourhood where crime rates are going through the roof and someone is murdered every day of the year. Director Damian Marcano's first feature film God Loves the Fighter offers a realistic take on life in this part of town and shows how one man's choice can have a decisive impact on another person's life.
Young Charlie is determined to lead an honest and decent life, however earning money fair and square in Port-of-Spain turns out to be impossible and Charlie inevitably ends up in a life of crime. One day, he meets professional streetwalker Dinah who urgently needs his help. Charlie must make an important decision.
The narrator of Charlie's story is King Curtis, a vagrant and poet who shouts the truth about the stories behind the newspaper headlines at passers-by. Everybody ignores him.
Marcano not only directed this film – reminiscent of films such as City of God and Slumdog Millionaire – but also was responsible for the script, filming and production. The dub reggae soundtrack by Freetown Collective, Q. Major and Redman give this crime drama its own unmistakable style.
Screenings:
Venue: Rialto
THU 20 AUG – 17:00 (preceded by short Giants) 
SAT 22 AUG – 18:30 (preceded by short Giants)