Series/Themes: Virtual Screening

Genre: Documentaries

Film Year: 2019

Locations: Mexico

Film Length: 20 min.

Languages: Spanish

Subtitles: Yes

Director: Ebony Bailey

The jamaica flower and tamarind are iconic ingredients in Mexico, but their history comes from a place much further away. Filmmaker Ebony Bailey explores and reaffirms her own identity as a Black Mexican American or “Blaxican” in this documentary feature that examines the complicated relationship between Blackness and Mexican culture. Seeking to tackle the “invisibilization” of Mexico’s African heritage, Bailey documents the stories of five individuals living in Mexico City to uncover the existence of African heritage in everyday aspects of Mexican culture, revealing a country where identity goes far beyond one’s skin. Discussion with Negra director Medhin Tewolde Serrano, Tote Grandfather director Marίa Sojob, and Jamaica y Tamarindo director Ebony Bailey, moderated by Sonia Alconini (UVA). Discussion recorded and presented in Spanish.

Jamaica & Tamarindo is part of both the Transborder Blackness & Indigeneity (Indigenidad y Negritud Transfronteriza) series supported by UVA Arts Council and the Women in Film Series supported by Virginia Commission for the Arts & National Endowment for the Arts