Short film by 17-year-old focuses on mental health

A 17-year-old filmmaking prodigy is riding a new, very Barbadian, wave of filmmaking. Trinity Rose’s short film Perturbed, tackles the pressing issue of mental health against the backdrop of the island’s social challenges.

With a vision that extends far beyond her years, the director, actor, model, screenwriter and fashion designer is not just creating a film; she’s pioneering a movement to put Barbadian cinema on the global map.

“Film in Barbados will be the next big thing,” Rose boldly declared on the set of Perturbed.

The rugged coastline at Beachy Head, St Philip, provided a picturesque backdrop for a sit-down with Barbados TODAY as her team prepared for a morning of filming. Without revealing too much, she said,

“This project is basically about mental health issues.”

Admitting that the subject matter marks a departure from her usual work, Rose explained: “Normally when my brother and I do act in different skits it is in a lighthearted tone, and we are normally joking, so it’s heartwarming. But this time I wanted to change the chapter and open a different book. Meaning, I wanted to go in a different direction.”

The decision to address mental health was inspired by the current socio-economic climate on the island. Rose said: “Since Barbados has so much gun violence and so much animosity, anguish and all that kind of pain and depression, I wanted to see what is the main source of it, and how we get those problems, and it is basically mental health.”

Immersing herself in research, she paid close attention to detail while developing her characters. “Since Barbados has so much violence, there is a reason linked for each problem… is it desperation, is it depression?” She added: “That is why I based this character on what is going on in the world.” Her character Roxy navigates a complex range of emotions as she struggles with obsessive compulsive disorder.

This project is being brought to life with the expertise of veteran filmmaker Stuart Hall, one of the creative minds at production company Creative Junction.”He is a very great filmographer, and is professional in what he does,” Rose said.

The production also utilises talent from Blue Iron Media. “When I told them about my vision, they understood me. I like working with people who understand me, who have the same passion that I do,” she said.

Rose has big aspirations for the future of filmmaking in Barbados but acknowledged the challenges. “Filming takes time, and it takes money, and that is why we would like to invite any entities, public or private, to have a meeting and partner with us.”

Expressing her gratitude for the support received so far, she said: “There are other people that helped sponsor us as well like the National Cultural Foundation (NCF). NCF is there to support us, they helped us in 2023 to go overseas to New York, and they helped us with this tent.”

She also extended thanks to Bajon Chicken, Wibisco, Frostees, and Restoration Ministries for their assistance in ensuring the production had what it needed.

“You always need a group of people to help you with film. A film is not just one person; film is about a community of people,” Rose said.

The cast includes her 12-year-old brother Zion Rose, and Shonell Harewood, while the crew combines the talent of Tyrese Robinson, who is assisting with camera, sound and set production, his twin brother Tré as production assistant and Roch Scantlebury, who composed the score and contributed to the set design. Suzanne Rose, her mother handled the wardrobe, while Shakira Shepherd was on makeup duty.

Rose noted: “I have invited them here for the youth to work with the experience, which is really good. I am trying to help others in this industry grow in Barbados because I have a vision. Since 2022, I had a vision that Barbados will have more films, and if I could do my part and if I can fulfil that, I believe that it can happen.”

Her father, Corie Rose, is equally optimistic about the rise of filmmaking in Barbados. Reflecting on the impact of international productions filmed her like the HBO series Succession and the Netflix action-adventure mystery Outer Banks, he said: “I find that it was a take-off point, and people started getting excited. However, you need to keep the momentum going.”

Through Trizon Film Productions, Corie is making his contribution to the industry. He also appealed for greater involvement from corporate Barbados and the government to support Barbadian cinema. (STT)