This piece draws a sentimental connection between the Little Jamaica community in Toronto and the island of Jamaica. It is told from the perspective of Chelsea Nyomi, a 2nd-generation Jamaican-Canadian living in downtown Toronto.
Memoirs to Little Jamaica is a short documentary that shares the intimate feelings of a Jamaican-Canadian who feels culturally displaced. The film is portrayed through the narrator's perspective as she narrates her journey through a quest for belonging.
Motivated by the recent sickness of her paternal grandmother, Chelsea made a 19-day trip to Jamaica in May 2022 and spent time with her Uncle, cousins, and grandma - who contracted COVID earlier that year in February and was slowly recovering.
The film premiered on July 2nd at the Aga Khan Museum as part of the Rhythms of Canada Festival, with support and mentorship from the 'Under The Tent' program, an artist residency hosted by CERC Migration.
During the premiere, Chelsea performed a live narration of the film by reading the script over the moving images and the music.
See the film here:
See the frame exports here:
Ocho Rios Bay Beach - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Ocho Rios Bay Beach - Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Jerk Chicken @ Mandeville Market - Mandeville, Jamaica
Hot Pot Jerk Chicken Restaurant - Little Jamaica Neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada
Chicken Pot @ Hot Pot Restaurant - Little Jamaica Neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada
Chicken Pot @ Rap's Chicken Restaurant - Little Jamaica Neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada
The Real Jerk Restaurant - Gerrard & Carlaw in Toronto, Canada
One Ripe Juicy Mango - Family home in Jamaica
Chopping Coconuts - Family home in Jamaica
Chopping Coconuts - Family home in Jamaica
Bathing Grandma - Family home in Jamaica
Bathing Grandma - Family home in Jamaica
Treasure Beach - St. Elizabeth, Jamaica
St. Toolis Riverside - Clarendon, Jamaica
St. Toolis Riverside - Clarendon, Jamaica
St. Toolis Riverside - Clarendon, Jamaica
This project is dedicated to the Jamaican community in Toronto, my family, the people of Jamaica, Jamaican descendants, and Jamaicans living abroad worldwide.
Memoirs to Little Jamaica (2022)
Filmed: February - May 2022
Premiered: July 2nd at the Rhythms of Canada Festival
Produced in the Under The Tent Artist Residency Program hosted by CERC Migration
Artist, director, cinematographer, and editor: Chelsea Nyomi (Instagram: @chelsea.nyomi)
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