First-time filmmaker Carlos Maria Romero translates in film the meaning and spirit of the Carnival de Barranquilla during a year in which gatherings were forbidden. Through clandestinely filmed performances with members of many different communities — indigenous, trans, queer, rural, Afro-Colombian, and radical outsiders among them — Romero, a native of Barranquilla, recreates northern Colombia’s largest cultural event as an essayistic performance film, demonstrating how Carnival is a lifeblood to its many diverse participants. In contemporary Colombian slang, the term “nave”, ship, takes on a futuristic meaning, referring to technological devices and their ability to “shift space”. In fact, this series of encounters establishes a filmic form that mirrors a parade or procession—one of the central components of Carnival.
Carlos Maria Romero aka Atabey Mamasita is a Colombian Caribbean artist based between London and Berlin. Their multidisciplinary work takes shape through moving image, performance, movement practices, curation, and interventions to protect and enhance cultural heritage practices. They often work in collaboration with charities, architects, and artists collectives, including SPIT! - Sodomites, Perverts, Inverts Together! and Vividero Colectivo.
Camera, film adviser: Giuliano Cavalli
Co-Editor: Jorge Mario Suárez UrariyúEditing
Support: Lene Volhardt
Technical support: James Irwin
Sound engineering: Santiago Latorre
Sound recordist: Henry Burgos Luna
Music: La Perla "Bruja", Millo de Chorrera
Production manager: Daniela Franco
Production support: 'Jimmy' Correa Jaramillo
Research adviser: Francisco Gonzalez Rosales
Text and subtitles editor: David Edgar
APPEARING IN THE FILM
Kogi people: Félix Zarabata, Ignacio Zarabata, Mariano Chimunquero, Juan de Jesús Chimunquero
“Travesti” archive reseracher: Danny González Cueto
Joselito’ widows: Hanner Sánchez de Alba, Carlos Maria Romero, Rubén Barrios, Lea / Leonardo Charris Pertuz
Gay Queen of Rebolo: Sheyla Campbell Salas de los Monteros
Makeup artist: José Alejandro Rosales Acosta
Champeta dancer: Luis Fernando Sarabia Gonzalez
Performance artist: Hellvira / Elvira Lavey Dracul
Club owner KZ Son Palenque: Ramón Cardona Reyes
Poet: Faustino Torres Valdez
Radio host / Fundacion Lokassa: Sidney Reyes Reyes
Linguist: Manuel Hernández Valdez
Harlequin Devil: Ruvén Suárez Urariyú
Millo de Chorrera: Alfredo Molina Molinares, Ulises Molina Molinares, Alvaro Hernández Echeverria, Anselmo Molina Molina, Anselmo Molina Hernandez, Janer Hernandez Rodriguez
La Nave de Lxs Locxs’ organizer: Francisco Gonzalez Rosales
Dancers: Fiorela Calderón Matera, José Yeye
Neighbors: Keyla Masiel Casallas Caceres, Concepción Miranda Herrera
ALL SCREENINGS ARE FREE
