Shadow’s calypso journey on film

GARY CARDINEZ

Last Thursday, the King From Hell made an appearance in what could well be the new home of the Studio Film Club at Sages Trapus Bar at 19 Sackville Street, Port of Spain.

The King from Hell film highlights some of calypsonian Shadow’s calypso journey.

Banyan’s Christopher Laird said, “The film featuring the Mighty Shadow is a random selection of unedited works consisting of concert performances and an interview.”

The screening was special, as Shadow remains one of the most beloved calypsonians of the modern era and artist Peter Doig is a huge fan. Doig is the man behind the Studio Film Club, which he started in 2003, co-curating weekly screenings with Trinidadian artist Che Lovelace at the Fernandes Compound in Laventille.

In King From Hell, which is about an hour long, Shadow reveals in an interview the story of his coming into calypso, both the hardships and the good times, and performs some of the songs which take the viewer through his initial stages as a performer.

Quite revealing was the fact that Shadow was born in Belmont and he also slept on benches around the Queen’s Park Savannah during the times he was trying to make it as calypsonian.

Doig said, “The Studio Film Club was initially about screening films that will appeal to a Trinidadian audience but found that was patronising. We decided to show films that we liked and felt was interesting or important. We jumped around between genres, countries and directors covering the spectrum from art-house to mainstream.”

After the showing Doig played some of his favourite songs recorded by Shadow with the assistance of Mr K and Tillah Willah.

Maritsa Harry was on location giving out samples of her Pumpella, a rich creamy variation of ponche de creme made out of pumpkin.

The evening was hosted by Cree Records with technical support by North Eleven.