THE HUMMINGBIRD TREE
UK, 1992, 85 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Bergin, Susan Wooldridge, Tom Beasley, Desha Penco, Sunil Y. Ramjitsingh, Clive Wood.
Directed by Noella Smith.
The Hummingbird Tree is based on the novel by Ian Mc Donald. It offers the opportunity for audiences to have a look at something of life in the West Indies, in Trinidad, after World War II, in 1946 as well as to think about various colonial issues.
The story is told from the point of view of a 12-year-old boy who has lived in Trinidad all his life. His parents participate in the colonial life of Trinidad, his father initially seeming more adaptable, especially for people who have migrated from India to work on the plantations. The parents are played by Patrick Bergin and Susan Wooldridge. The young boy, Alan, is played by Tom Beasley.
Trinidad is about to have the first free elections with the various campaigns, from the point of view of rather arrogant British colonial candidates, from local candidates, as well as issues for the Indian migrants.
Alan is at a white school and the children, who are at his birthday party, sing songs which are derogatory of the locals. But Alan is very good friends with Kaiser, who is intended to work on the plantation, and a young girl, Jaillin. There are complications when the children are not allowed to his birthday party, when Alan goes off one evening and does not return time and goes bathing in the sea with them.
The family is Catholic and Alan goes to mass and he hears a very strong political sermon from the local priest, Niall Buggy, very critical of the Hindus, their religion, and staunchly urging the congregation not to vote to promote them. There is a rather colonial Catholicism in his perspective which is echoed by Alan.
The film has an epilogue where the older Alan comes back 10 years later, encounters Kaiser who is drinking, has become a Catholic, has been educated and is looking down on other locals, as well as Jaillin who has developed an animosity towards white people and is working suspiciously in the town.
A different picture of British colonialism and its impact.
1. A film about the British Empire, the West Indies, Trinidad, post-World War II, colonialism, free elections, consequences?
2. The West Indian settings, the affluent homes, the local villages, the fields and crops, the town, the beaches, the water? The musical score?
3. The use of popular American songs of the time, with the West Indian rhythms and lyrics?
4. Alan’s story, 12 years old, living in Trinidad all his life? His father and his position, land, politics? His mother, her colonial attitudes? The strictness of the household? The boy the only son? The white schoolmates and his playing with them, his birthday party, their scornful singing songs against the Indians? His being more at home with the locals, their Indian background, Hindu background, Kaiser and his friendship, Jaillin and his attraction towards her?
5. The political background, the British ex-patriots, their snobbishness, Ross and the hitting of his car and his condemnations? His political stances? He’s not getting the votes? Alan’s father, politically, the speeches, the importance of the elections? The first vote for the locals? The issue of work, the burning of the crops?
6. Alan going to mass, the parish priest, his political sermon? Talking of the darkness of Trinidad, the elections is a milestone, not supporting people who had 100 gods and allegedly believed in unity? The symbolism of the Eucharist, bread, not mangoes, his comment about worthy and unworthy vessels? The Hindu gods never sacrificing as Jesus did? His comment on the rallies in Port of Spain, the Christian rally, being set upon by the Hindus? The Hindus and their hearts in another distant country, hot, the Hindu league? Saying that God was love but there was no doubt that not voting for the Christian candidates would endanger immortal souls?
7. The scenes of play, 12-year-olds, the three, Kaiser and the intention of his working on the plantation, Jaillin and her family, the servants in the house, the birthday party, the cake, kissing Jaillin? Who going to mass? The statue of Mary and the answer to prayer is? The issue of becoming Catholic, Catholicism is the only faith, Hinduism being he is in? The scene in the water, Jaillin without her clothes, Alan’s father searching, coming out of the water shielded by Kaiser?
8. Alan, his age, growing up, his background, changing his values, especially race and religious attitudes?
9. The finale, his return, encountering Kaiser, Kaiser drunk, becoming a Catholic, educated and looking down on ordinary work, talking about Jaillin and her work in the city? Bringing him home, the talk with Jaillin?
10. The importance of the elections – but the detrimental consequences for all concerned?
