The sobering reality of crime in Trinidad and Tobago may not saturate our pages like it does in the local dailies, but this absence is in no way a reflection of its place in our consciousness.
When the girls of St. Joseph's Convent, St. Joseph emerged as winners of the short-film category in the 2009 Movie Towne Secondary Schools Film Competition earlier this month, it reminded us that crime had not escaped the attention of teens, either.
Young people are no strangers to crime. September alone has seen its share of bloodshed, with young people being numbered among the victims and included among the perpetrators.
The value of storytelling in film has made cinema a favourite pastime for teens, and the winning selection titled "Curepe Drumstick Robbery" took a satirical look at crime in T&T. In true Trini fashion, the film uses humour to make a daring statement about life in a fast-food-obsessed, runaway society.
The film touches on serious issues at the heart of crime, such as the preoccupation with material things, fast food and, in turn, fast money.
The bandit asks for a "bucket of money" the same way he'd ask for a bucket of chicken at the restaurant.
The appetite for fast money, it appears, exceeds that of his basic needs, unlike his accomplice.
Depicting the failure to successfully curb much of the society's criminal is the film's characterization of a clearly incompetent security guard, who is busy "tracking" instead of guarding the cashier, and the ill-equipped policeman, who arrives on a tricycle, armed with a baton.
It is an entertaining film, at best, with a comic element in each scene that does not erase the inherent truths of the situation.
The local proverb "Tief from tief make God laugh" came to mind even as we laughed at the calamity of the two thieves at the end, and we appreciated the irony of the ever-present, self-promoting DVD pirate who became a reminder of society's part in the lawlessness raging in our lovely Republic.
The judges and organizers of the T&T Film Festival must be commended on a tremendous job providing a platform for teenagers to get involved in telling stories of their own and giving voice to their discontent with the direction of other young people in a way only teens can.
The Student Press also praises the efforts of these young girls who successfully wrote, acted in and captured the scenes on film, and we applaud their supportive parents for allowing us to make the film available on our website for other students to enjoy.
In the spirit of excellence, The Student Press is happy to provide opportunities for students to add their unique voices to the discourse on crime in Trinidad and Tobago.
We remain committed to providing an outlet for teens to display creative talents and encourage teachers, students and budding filmmakers to share their stories with us.
Congratulations to the SJC girls on a job well-done.
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