You are surely aware that since 2019, the French TV series Tropiques Criminels has been filmed every year in Martinique. The story follows a commander who returns to her homeland after a job transfer. She will have to team up with a captain who is her total opposite, but when it comes to solving crimes, they suddenly become a complementary and effective duo. Another example, but this time on the sister island, is Meurtres au Paradis, a Franco-British series of 11 seasons, broadcast on BBC 1 and mainly filmed in Guadeloupe. Well, we are still in the context of crime, but the series remains a must-seework that has managed to become a cult series in England.

Let’s not forget Guyana either, which had its eponymous series in 2017 that focuses on the world of gold mining. Our territories have hosted many more audiovisual works than these, but listing them all would take forever. In these three cases, it has created many jobs (screenwriters, actors, stagehands, etc.) and allowed for economic and cultural influence abroad.

But how can we talk about the French Caribbean Islands becoming filming locations without mentioning Euzhan Palcy’s immense film Rue Cases-Nègres (1983) ? Based on Joseph Zobel’s novel this bestseller which won multiple awards – including the Silver Lion and the César for Best First Work – is a true cinematic gem that provides a touching, informative and hopeful portrait of Martinique in the 1930s. This film shone a light on Martinique internationally and provided its director with unbelievable recognition and opportunities. She even collaborated with Disney, notably on the biographical film about Ruby Bridges. And let’s not forget Tropiques Amers, qui je suis sûre, vous a captivé lors de sa diffusion sur France 3 en 2007, and Neg Marrons with Admiral T, and Zépon, so many gems, it’s incredible !

And don’t worry, the new generation of Antillean directors, actors, and screenwriters is already here and they intend to make it known. For example, we can applaud the work of Vincent Vermignon, a young actor from Rivière-Salée, who has appeared in several series, including one from the American giant HBO Max (excuse us for being modest!), [The Staircase](And don’t worry, the new generation of Antillean directors, actors, and screenwriters is already here and they intend to make it known. For example, we can applaud the work of Vincent Vermignon, a young actor from Rivière-Salée, who has appeared in several series, including one from the American giant HBO Max (excuse us for being modest!), The Staircase, with Colin Firth (excuse us…) and Toni Colette (…just a little!). Or the team of Priceless Films, a group of young and talented people who produced the viral hit on the internet Head or Tail, whose production name should remind us of how much we should appreciate and cherish the Antillean audiovisual world because it is “priceless” to us.

So I invite you all to raise your glasses to celebrate Antillean cinema ! Cheers !