About the Film
She Playing With Fire is a vibrant tale set inside of a real masquerade “in the Northern home of the Caribbean”- Brooklyn, NYC. When Mark invites Kayla to Prospect Park, his romantic proposal plan spins into chaos as the spirit of Carnival pulls Kayla into the masquerade, and out of his reach. Pulsing drums and larger than life Carnival characters seduce Kayla “to play Mas”, but will she lose her chance at love when she plays a game with unexpected consequences?
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9:22
Orion Gordon
Bianca Jacob
Orion Gordon
Bianca Jacob
Hazel Bryan
Orion Gordon
Ghrai DeVore-Stokes
Khadim Diop
JouvayFest
Pagwah Mas
From the Director
Carnival art is scholarly, satirical, playful, politically charged, public theater. I wanted to share a story that kept the humor, social commentary, rhythms, and warm colors of our Carnival characters, but juxtapose it with a relatable scenario- one that mirrors what's playing out in the masquerade. This is a short film set in modern day Brooklyn- a romantic comedy about a young Black couple who are just learning about themselves and these traditions.
Brooklyn is the home of immigrants from many corners of the earth. Take a walk down Flatbush Avenue and you will find someone from every Caribbean country. In a way, this film is also a love letter to the Caribbean people in New York, and the traditions they keep alive. I created this film to lift up a slice of North American culture that is visually stunning, but largely misunderstood. Mark, one of the main characters, is actually afraid of the Carnival characters at one point. It's funny, but it speaks to the idea that we often fear what we don’t understand.
