About Zeen? (2019)

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Calyx Passailaigue is a Canadian-Caribbean filmmaker whose work often explores identity, postcolonial culture, artistic ambition, and the complexities of Caribbean representation through satire and independent storytelling. His films combine humor with social commentary, frequently examining tensions surrounding race, class, creative ownership, and cultural authenticity. Passailaigue’s filmmaking style blends absurdist comedy with grounded character interactions, allowing him to critique both artistic pretension and social structures while maintaining an entertaining and character-driven narrative approach. Through low-budget independent productions, he has built a reputation for creating culturally specific stories that resonate across international festival audiences.

FILM SYNOPSIS

Camp OrangeRay chronicles the life and evolution of Wendi Morrison. The film traces her childhood in Hollywood, a decade spent headlining rock clubs with her band Mercury 5, and her eventual decision to step away from the music industry. Choosing a different path, Morrison turns toward spirituality, nature, and service, fostering animals and supporting others in discovering their highest potential. The documentary presents a narrative of reinvention, healing, and alignment with personal truth.


DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Zeen? follows Chad, a pretentious white Jamaican filmmaker determined to create what he believes will be a sophisticated social drama titled Brothers in Babylon. Surrounded by a chaotic and underprepared Caribbean cast and crew, Chad attempts to maintain artistic control as the production steadily unravels around him. As filming progresses, tensions emerge between artistic ambition and cultural understanding. Chad’s self-important approach to filmmaking clashes with the realities of the production environment, exposing questions about authenticity, privilege, and the way Caribbean stories are represented on screen. The crew’s interactions gradually reveal deeper frustrations related to ego, identity, and creative ownership, turning the filmmaking process itself into a source of comedy and conflict. Through satire and exaggerated situations, Zeen? critiques both independent film culture and performative intellectualism while celebrating the humor, unpredictability, and resilience found within Caribbean creative communities. The film uses comedy not only for entertainment but also as a lens through which issues of race, cultural identity, and artistic credibility can be examined.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Awards

  • Winner — Best Medium Length Narrative, Trinidad + Tobago Film Festival

  • Winner — Best Toronto Based Filmmaker, Toronto Arthouse Film Festival

Festival Screenings

  • Los Angeles Lift-Off Film Festival

  • Great Northern International Film Festival

  • CaribbeanTales International Film Festival

  • 1261 Grenadian Film Festival

  • Hairouna Film Festival

  • Regina International Film Festival

  • CaribbeanLens International Film Festival

  • Ontario International Film Festival

  • Goa Short Film Festival

  • Martinique International Film Festival

  • Conch Shell International Film Festival

  • Cultural Connections Film Festival

Additional Recognition

  • Nominated for Best Actor and Best Comedy at Couch Film Festival

  • Recognized for its satirical examination of Caribbean filmmaking culture and independent cinema dynamics.

  • Praised for combining socially aware storytelling with absurdist humor and ensemble-driven performances.