About the Film

After establishing that the small Caribbean country of Barbados was ground zero for the formation and institution of transatlantic slavery, the film uses the life and poetry of Esther Phillips, the poet laureate of Barbados, as a lens to view its sociological effects to the nation and, in turn, the world. Her brilliant poetry, and long lineage in the country offer an opportunity to process this difficult time in history in an intimate and personal way. With supporting interviews with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, world renown historian Sir Hilary Beckles, and others, the film spotlights Phillips’ beautiful work, while also telling the incredible underdog tale of Barbados itself.