“Doubles
with slight pepper” Review
Producer: Ian Harnarine
Actors: Sanjiv Boodhu (Dhani), Susan
Hannays-Abraham (Sumintra- Dhani’s mother) and Errol Sitahal (Ragbir- Dhani’s
father)
This unique new film was one that I have never crossed
before, in regards to genre and storyline. The story was touching but I still feel
indifferent towards it. It was the story of an estranged Trinidadian father who
returns to his country and to the wife and son; Dhani, that he abandoned. His
son sells “Doubles”, traditional Trinidadian street food to support himself and
his mother financially; and since his father left, he had to work hard to keep
his family afloat. The hardship and poverty faced by Dhani and his mother Sumintra
is evident in the beginning of the clip, and as much as they are struggling,
they are happy to live together.
Dhani’s opening
sentence “I am a 104th generation Brahmin” gives the audience the
idea that he is from a wealthy Hindu and Indian background but that idea is
quickly diminished when he says “That’s a lie. I come from a long line of poor
and stupid coolies. I work under the blazing sun for donkey years”. This fits
in with what is shown in the frame: Dhani riding a bike with some large containers
at the front of his bike and is in a
Santa
costume which shows that he is poor and has a menial job. The way he feels like
clearly embedded onto the screen: Distraught.
The opening tune of the movie invited the audience to the
ethnic culture of Trinidad and the famous instrument of the Caribbean: the
steel pans. Whilst selling Doubles, he is approached by a customer who is
actually his father. When he realises who the customer is, a close up shot of Dhani
depicts his anger and distress towards his father, who left him and his mother
in the lurch of poverty.
On his shift,
Dhani is approached by his father who has unexpectedly returned to Trinidad.
This short film represents the struggles of the working class in less
economically developed country. Dhani travels to where he sells doubles on an
old bike with two boxes for the doubles and the sauces. A close up shot of the
containers of sauces shows that Dhani is clearly poor, as the containers are
unsanitary and dirty. The problems of the working class in LEDCs are met and
portrayed extremely well in this video, the depiction of their clothes, living
conditions and way of life are clearly imminent and the sincerity of the video
prevails throughout.
As the tale progresses,
Dhani’s father Ragbir is diagnosed with “Bombay Blood” and pleads his son to
help him, being the only available donor. Of course, Dhani rejects him. The
second time his attack happens; Dhani softens and decides to help his father. This
film captures the true nature of family and love.
A common camera shot which is used in this short film is the extreme close up shot especially on Dhani and his mothers faces. Many of the repetitive scenes where there are close ups, Dhani's facial expressions show distress, sadness, anger and fury towards his father and how he deserted him and his mother. When he is approached by his father who orders two doubles, his face drops in pure anguish and immediately clouds over with anxiety and shock. When Sumintra's face is shown in close up clips, she is shown as saddened and hurt.
“Doubles with slight pepper” is a drama, pure and unadulterated
drama. The pain of Dhani is clearly shown through his coldness and taciturnity
towards his father. The drama within the family Is one of pain and distrust
which is clearly shown through the unity of mother and son as well as the
isolation of the alienated father. The audience is one that is emotional and
can feel the pain of a broken home. The fact that Dhani’s father left him and
his mother and suddenly reappeared into their lives was quite moving. At the
end, Dhani repeats his opening sentences, showing the audience that he believes
that he is destined for failure.
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