Guava Island

"Explore Paradise"

2019 0h 56m EN

👍

6.7

SOLID

🍅

74%

FRESH

⭐

6.6

IMDB

★6.7TMDB · 353🍅74%Rotten Tomatoes★6.6IMDB · 11,900

ComedyThrillerMusic

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Deni Maroon, a musician and dock worker is determined to pull off a music festival against the interests of the local factory owner.

“Explore Paradise”

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Cast

Donald Glover
Deni Maroon
Rihanna
Kofi Novia
Letitia Wright
Yara Love
Nonso Anozie
Red Cargo
Alan Jael Velázquez Abreu
Kito
Renny Arozarena
Butcher
Betiza Bismark
Emani Dune
Michael Ricardo Crespo Cardenas
Deni's Assassin

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Hiro Murai
Writers: Donald Glover, Ibra Ake, Fam Udeorji
Languages: English, Spanish
Countries: Cuba, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 56-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 7 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Cuba, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

CAST

Did you know

232+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Hiro Murai, shot by Christian Sprenger. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Michael Uzowuru. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Isaac Hagy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Hiro Murai directs. Christian Sprenger behind the camera. Michael Uzowuru scores. Isaac Hagy cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Cuba, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 56-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 7 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: English, Spanish.
4International production across 2 countries: Cuba, United States of America.
5232+ people credited in cast and crew — a small city's worth of labour.
6Directed by Hiro Murai, shot by Christian Sprenger. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
7Original score by Michael Uzowuru. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
8Editor Isaac Hagy shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
9Donald Glover and Rihanna and Letitia Wright carry the top of the cast.
10Marketing tagline: "Explore Paradise".
11IMDB entry: tt8858104 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Christian Sprenger
Original score: Michael Uzowuru
Editing: Isaac Hagy
Production design: Lucio Seixas
Costume design: Mobolaji Dawodu
Makeup / hair: Aleida Maria Benitez Fuentes
VFX supervisor: Grant Miller
Sound: Diego Gat
Stunt coordinator: Adrian Perdomo Rodriguez
Runtime: 56 min · 0h 56m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Guava Island (2019)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% 🍅 Fresh
IMDB rating: 6.6/10 · 11,900 votes
MPAA: TV-MA

Awards

7 nominations

Also by

Hiro Murai

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

tmdb473964612019-04-16
★ 8/10
Charming and poignant, this small, musical tale exudes Donald Glover's artistic integrity.
The Movie Diorama2020-01-16
★ 5/10
Guava Island musically enraptures its tropical aesthetic through severe self-indulgence. Donald Glover’s rhythmically-inclined alter-ego, Childish Gambino, is an inspirational talent. A rare find that cements the credibility of the current generation’s ability to produce harmonious tunes with a political trajectory. His “Awaken, My Love!” studio album infused psychedelic funk with soul and hip-hop, while his latest singles “This Is America” and “Summertime Magic” provide insight into his meticulous thought process. He is an artist through and through. So it comes to much astonishment that Guava Island, a miniature film that was clearly targeted at fans of his discography, was unable to find its footing amidst the soothing tropical breeze. A local musician/celebrity attempts to hold a music festival for the oppressed town of Guava Island, albeit ignoring the threatened warnings from the local dictatorial business magnate. It commenced with an animated folk tale, narrated by the stunningly beautiful Rihanna (“Te Amo”!), describing the origins and current state of Guava Island. Considering the runtime, totalling just under an hour, this method of expressionistic exposition was required to construct the foundations of the basic narrative. Delightful, if somewhat mundane. Murai, in his directorial debut, then proceeds to the live-action bulk with a stylised 4:3 ratio filter equipped with grainy visuals for authenticity. Considering the economic and structural climate of Guava Island, it was immersive and enhanced the world Rihanna lovingly described to us. Glover goes about his day, carrying his wooden guitar, singing and reinterpreting his latest singles. The infamously abnormal dance moves proceeded with “This Is America” in the middle of a factory. Then it hit me. Guava Island is essentially a “musical” to coincide and/or boost the promotional material of Gambino’s songs. Disagree? Well, he then proceeds to serenade Rihanna with “Summertime Magic” before winning my heart over with “Feels Like Summer”. A fundamental question then dawned on me. Can the artistic integrity of music be translated effectively to a narrative feature? Perhaps, but Guava Island is not a good example of that. The musical spirit of the island’s residents being suppressed by a totalitarian state is nothing new and, unfortunately, conveyed obviously. The relationship between capitalism and the affected individuals of its grotesque aftermath failed to empower. This is due to Glover’s self-indulgence blurring the clarity of the story. Rihanna’s Kofi and her relationship with Deni is almost non-existent, despite the ‘Romeo & Juliet’ introduction. These characters are so focussed on portraying eccentricity, that the dynamics between them fell flat. Glover’s frequent collaborator and older brother was unable to balance all aspects in such a condensed time constraint within his screenplay. It’s so “to the point” that it loses that flavoursome flair that makes Gambino the artist he is. That’s not to say the music isn’t catchy and Uzowuru’s rhythmic score won’t make you sway, as the musical aspect will have the biggest effect. The acting is serviceable, even if Glover can’t escape his exaggerated TV tendencies, and Sprenger’s cinematography is sublime. Unfortunately though, Murai’s inability to balance the film and rein in Glover’s overpowering talent taints Guava Island to be a drinkable albeit sour beverage.