Sport & Entertainment
JAM | Feb 4, 2025

Oliver Samuels’ latest film, Sugar Dumplin premieres in Jamaica this month

/ Our Today

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Oliver Samuels, deeply immersed in his character as Desmond while shooting Sugar Dumplin. (Photo: Contributed)

Durrant Pate/Contributor

Mid-Career Productions and Humanity Ova Vanity are excited to announce the upcoming premiere of Sugar Dumplin starring Jamaican comedy legend, Oliver Samuels and rising star and executive producer, Chantel Riley on Sunday, February 23rd at Sunken Gardens in Hope Botanical Gardens at 6:00 pm. 

A deeply moving short film that explores the intersection of memory, culture, and the enduring bond between a father and daughter. Sugar Dumplin was created by the award-winning husband and wife team at Mid-Carrer Productions of Writer-Director Tristan Barrocks; his wife, Producer Natanya Barrocks; as well as activist and founder of Humanity Ova Vanity, Donisha Prendergast, who steps into the role of executive producer, supporting behind the scenes. 

In tandem with the film’s release, Mid-Career Productions and Humanity Ova Vanity are spearheading a social impact campaign designed to raise awareness about dementia and its impact on families, particularly within the Caribbean and the Caribbean diaspora in North America. 

Director and Writer, Tristan Barrocks calls “Cut” to reset the scene. (Photo: Contributed)

The Sugar Dumplin team are in early discussions with Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario regarding taking this conversation Nationally across Canada in 2025 with a campaign to include community screenings, discussions, and initiatives aimed at supporting caregivers and those affected by dementia. The film and campaign promise to be an unforgettable experience, blending rich storytelling with cultural authenticity and social impact.

Storyline of Sugar Dumplin 

Sugar Dumplin tells the story of a young woman (Chantel Riley) who, in a desperate attempt to reconnect with her estranged father (Oliver Samuels), who is suffering from dementia, begins recreating the beloved dishes from his Caribbean childhood. As she stirs up the flavours of his past, she hopes to unlock the memories that have long eluded him and in the process, heal their fractured relationship.

The legendary actor, Oliver Samuels, known as the King of Comedy in Jamaica, brings his unmatched talent to the role of the father, delivering a performance that is both heartwarming and poignant. “This role was deeply personal for me,” explains Samuels, who adds, “it’s a story that touches on the universal theme of family, but also on the specific cultural experiences that shape who we are. I’m honoured to be a part of a film that showcases the beauty and resilience of our heritage.”

Oliver Samuels on the set of Sugar Dumplin in between takes. (Photo: Contributed)

Chantel Riley, who is an executive producer on the film and also plays the lead female, as the determined daughter. She said, “Sugar Dumplin is more than just a film; it’s a celebration of the ties that bind us. Working alongside Oliver Samuels and this incredible team has been a transformative experience. I hope this story resonates with everyone who has ever longed to reconnect with their roots.”

Film is visually stunning and emotionally rich 

Writer-Director, Tristan Barrocks brings a nuanced and visually captivating style to the film, stating, “Directing Sugar Dumplin has been a journey of discovery. We wanted to create a film that is both visually stunning and emotionally rich, capturing the essence of what it means to find connection through shared memories and cultural traditions.” 

Head of Wardrobe, Stylist Christal Williams makes sure Oliver Samuels is camera-ready for the next scene on set of Sugar Dumplin. (Photo: Contributed)

Natanya Barrocks, the film’s producer, expresses her enthusiasm for the project saying, “This film is a labour of love. It’s a father-daughter love story that challenges us to reflect on our own relationships through the lens of grace and forgiveness; family restoration. We’re thrilled to bring Sugar Dumplin to audiences around the world. Working with this incredible cast and crew has been an absolute privilege.”

For Donisha Prendergast, founder of Humanity Ova Vanity, and executive producer, champions the film’s mission to spark conversation and reflection on the power of food, memory and cultural heritage. She remarked, “Sugar Dumplin highlights the nuanced experience of Jamaicans living in the diaspora while exploring a topic that is not often discussed in our homes. We have a unique and timely opportunity with this film to be used as a tool for social impact and empowerment. The film is a reminder about the importance of healing generational trauma and honouring the traditions that continue to shape us, while preserving our history, one recipe at a time.”

Executives Producers Kern Carter and Safia Bartholomew supporting as script supervisors on the project Sugar Dumplin. (Photo: Contributed)

Humanity Ova Vanity is a non-profit organization focused on curating culturally immersive experiences using art and media to drive social change. Through impactful campaigns, they aim to raise awareness and inspire action on important social issues.

Associated partners

The Jamaican Red Carpet film premiere and social impact campaign are presented by Humanity Ova Vanity, Mid-Career Productions and Camille Entertainment in association with Blue Mahoe Capital. Co-Presenting partner, Blue Mahoe Capital believes, “our Caribbean culture is our largest export and deserves proper investment to fully realize the financial gains of that export. We are committed to supporting the Creative Industries in order to have more of the earnings come back to the region and support the development of a thriving industry.”

On set with Producer, Natanya Barrocks, who stops for a quick smile in between takes. (Photo: Contributed)

The premiere has been endorsed by the Ministry of Health as well as by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports have also officially endorsed the event as a part of the celebrations for Reggae Month. Other local partners for the Jamaican leg include National Council for Senior Citizens, Dementia Care Awareness Network, Bob Marley & Rita Marley Foundation, Hope Gardens Nature Preservation Foundation, Yaad Bridge Entertainment, DSE Media, Yes Events, JAFTA, Jamaica Pegasus, Kamila’s Kitchen and the Ref Ja.

Sugar Dumplin was recently accepted into Pan African Film & Arts Festival, Beilot Film Festival and Crown Point International Film Festival, amongst other notable festivals. Plans are now being made for a tour throughout the Diaspora.

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