When Words Fail, Music Speaks

The film Guava Island embellishes and create new meaning for Childish Gambino’s music. In its essence, Guava Island is a musical. It was intentional to not have Glover’s music as a soundtrack, but rather embedded into the text. We hear full performances from Glover as Deni. They include background dancers and surrealist effects just like…

Periods and Pedophilia: How Indigo’s Remedy Showcases the Plight and Power of Women

In one of my journal assignments, I performed a healing ritual from Ntozake Shange’s Sassafrass, Cypress, and Indigo titled “Suitors with the Moon’s Blessing” and discovered the importance of learning about the world through many types of mediums. For this post, I want to look at a different healing ritual found on page 25; I…

Black Ballerinas (Black Dance Packet Part 1)

Misty Copeland “This Week’ Sunday Spotlight: Misty Copeland.” YouTube.com. Posted by ABC News. Apr 6, 2014 (Accessed 9/25/20). “Misty Copeland Dances Romeo + Juliet, Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux & White Swan at Vail Dance 2015” YouTube.com.  Posted by Nel Shelby Productions. August 19, 2015. (Accessed 9/25/20). “Watch an Exclusive Clip of Misty Copeland’s ​”A Ballerina’s…

Music, Magic, and Martyrdom—Exploring Questions of Freedom in Guava Island

After brainstorming for each of the prompt questions, I felt the most interested and engaged in prompt number 2. I was absolutely blown away by Guava Island—the message, the music, the performances, the magic—and feel compelled to write about it, to think about it, and to encourage discussion of it in class. I think before…

guava island prompt two

Rose Villela I would like our class to answer the second Guava Island discussion question because although I have seen the film a few times, I have not critically analyzed it. Guava Island is bookended by bold, colorful animations giving the viewer that story tale excitement and wonder. I believe this is put here because…

Guava Island 4th Prompt

The mediums and genres of both the “This Is America” music video and the performance of it in Guava Island present contexts which allow us as viewers to understand them differently. The format of the music video is a 4 minute standalone YouTube video, while the performance of the song in Guava Island lies in the middle of a…