La Diablesse folklore horror film on its way

Female film producers Teneille Newallo, Jolene Mendes and Pauline Mark have been working assiduously on La Diablesse, a feature horror film rooted in Trinbagonian folklore.

The story tells the tale of a woman haunted by the legendary devil woman, as well as her past. It is also a story that highlights the strength of a mother’s love, said a media release.

The original screenplay was written by Newallo of The Cutlass (2016) fame. The actress, writer and producer has always had a penchant for dark tales that explore the human experience. She is also a fan of local folklore and believes there are many stories that can be told using Trinidad and Tobago's history, heritage, and blended cultures, the release said.

The film will also celebrate the merging of African and French culture in TT and present an origin story for the La Diablesse that connects to a contemporary setting, the release said.

Newallo has starred in several popular productions, including Bazodee with Machel Montano, Dubios (2014), Play the Devil (2016) and Mangroves (2018), which she wrote and directed.

Mendes is a promising filmmaker based in Los Angeles whose producing filmography includes Sour Milk (2022), Extra Innings (2019) and She Paradise(2019), which was one of three selected features for the TT Film Festival, Carifesta XIV edition, the release said.

Mark is an actress and producer known for performances in Home Again (2012) and Bazodee (2014) and is also the creator and producer of the relationship commentary series X and Y (2016).

The release said La Diablesse will highlight female solidarity in local film and is already making strides as the first ever local horror film with an all-female producing team. Newallo, Mark and Mendes also reflect the diversity of TT, which they plan to extend to the creativity of the film. They have enlisted some of the best and brightest talent in front of and behind the camera for this pioneering project, the release said.

Filming is set for later this year and the team is looking for sponsors to collaborate with. The project will be distributed throughout the Caribbean and in key international territories that have an appetite for the horror genre, the release said.

For more info: e-mail ladiablessefilmep@gmail.com, https://theidimarie.wixsite.com/tennproductions/service or www.instagram.com/ladiablessemovie