Guava Island | Childish Gambino's Musical Outline on Freedom
“WE LIVE IN PARADISE, BUT NONE OF US HAS THE TIME OR THE MEANS TO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE.”
DONALD GLOVER
Guava Island is the colourful film that serves as a visual album for Childish Gambino's latest singles.
In collaboration with director Hiro Murai, the film ties in expressions of freedom, artistry and capitalism – curating a parable that tackles current socio-political issues.
Songs such as This is America, Red’s Cargo, and Saturday were included to further drive home the film’s motifs.
Guava Island tackles a myriad of themes within it’s condensed 55-minute runtime - a vivid depiction of Us against Them between the Haves and Have-nots.
But it’s the timeless love affair that drives the narrative, and reminds us that romance makes all woes pale into insignificance.
“THE SONGS SING FOR THEMSELVES.”
DONALD GLOVER
Stream Guava Island on Amazon Now.
Guava
A charming and vibrant animated sequence opens the film. Narrated by Kofi (Rihanna), she explains Guava’s origins through her new perspective.
A very long time ago…The seven Gods of the seven lands created the duelling truths.“
“Love and war.”
The Gods decided that humans need a place away from these elements.”
“They created an island in the very centre of the world.”
“Guava.”
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“Filled with magic and untouched by man’s hand, the island bares fruit and life unlike any other.”
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“In Guava, the only place you could find the clay worm.”
“It spins the most beautiful blue silk known to man.”
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“Anyone that gazed at its beauty fell in love.”
“But wherever there is love, war will follow.”
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“The Red family took hold of the silk along with the people of Guava.”
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“Greed and distrust spread all over Guava.”
“The Gods, tired of man’s insolence, turned their backs on them.”
“Paradise was lost.”
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“Deni (Donald Glover) wanted to play a song that would unite the people of the island. A song that would bring back the magic that Guava has long lost.”
“Even if it was just for one day.”
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“We kept dreaming, because at the end, what else do we have but dreams?’
Red’s Cargo
“RED’S CARGO IS THE BEST CARGO. WITHOUT RED’S CARGO, I’D BE BLUE.”
It begins with local hero and musical legend-to-be, Deny.
Running past a cascade of Hellos and Good Mornings in the morning market, giving every greeting it’s due attention, gives us an insight into why he’s powerless to his endearing, if frustrating, quality. He’s always running late.
And this is one meeting no one is late for. An audience with the island’s Big Boss. Red Cargo.
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“GOT THE BLUES? WORK FOR RED.”
His musical number of the people of Guava appeasing the island’s dictator, Red Cargo (Nonso Anozie) doesn’t go unnoticed.
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Scenes slowly shift from the imagery of predominant reds to blues, referring to the political colours of Republicans and Democrats.
Red’s capitalistic, colonising forces wear their leader’s colours, while the people of the island wear blue – showing an individual's social class and beliefs.
But no matter… “Red will take what is his… and that is your life.”
This is America
“AMERICA IS A CONCEPT. ANYWHERE IN ORDER TO GET RICH, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SOMEONE ELSE RICHER, IS AMERICA.”
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The allure of The American Dream still holds an uncontested place in the minds of Guava’s factory workers.
But dream and reality are two different things.
Replicating Childish Gambino’s iconic This Is America music video in a Central American factory was Glover and Murai’s genius.
Anywhere with Guns, Crime and an Illusion of Freedom is America.
Dancing on the factory floor is the definition of undisciplined. Singing is Civil Disobedience.
Glover could well be the finest storyteller through the medium of dance in the world right now.
His moves say: “Actions speak louder than words”
The synchronicity with his back up dancers says: “This isn’t just some renegade fool. This is a party. Pay attention”
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Summertime Magic
“HE PROMISED TO COMEBACK EVERY NIGHT TILL HE PLAYED A SONG THAT WAS AS BEAUTIFUL AS I AM.”
“I dream of leaving the island with him, but Deny could never imagine leaving Guava.”
“He loved the people, and would do anything to be loved in return.”
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Feels like Summer
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The tones and rhythm of the song cry for Deni’s civil resistance against Red.
It also ponders on living in paradise - its melancholic tones reveal that guilt and despair are feelings that still occur on an island Utopia.
Saturday
“THE FESTIVAL IS A CELEBRATION OF LIFE. I WANT EVERYONE TO FEEL AS FREE AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.”
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The festival was his time to finally bring the people back together and bring back the magic that once resided on the island. The same magic that built the island.
We Got our Day
“NOW I GET TO TELL YOU A STORY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT MY MOTHER TOLD ME. I GET TO TELL YOU A STORY ABOUT HOW DREAMS COME TRUE.”
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The ending is better watched than given away.
Though heartless sacrifice, unconditional love and, most importantly, unbridled festivities, are the timeless artillery that can bring the status quo to heel.
The world is full of problems. But we should have fun while we solve them. Indeed, perhaps shared enjoyment is the solution.
The majority of the majority are quite content to live their lives with life’s little luxuries, like the occasional festival.
But nothing calls upon the wrath of the people like the fun police closing down the people’s party.
That is not only grounds for mutiny.
It’s the inspiration for change.
Welcome to Guava.
Stream Guava Island on Amazon Now.