Following its release in April on Amazon Prime Video, Donald Glover has released several behind-the-scenes videos from the musical film Guava Island. The movie, directed by Hiro Murai, co-stars Rihanna along with Black Mirror and Black Panther star Letitia Wright.
The four BTS features are all about Murai and Childish Gambino‘s efforts in maintaining authenticity and using local talent, from actors to dancers and locations, for the production of the movie which was shot in Cuba in the summer of 2018. The clips feature members from the cast who talk about their backgrounds as an artist and being part of the Cuban culture. In the video seen above, Glover gives us an intimate look, along with narration, at the historical locations the movie was filmed at, including the Iglesia del Wajay church, the Paradero de La Lisa warehouse and Playa del Fontán, a popular worker’s social club.
Glover expressed in a statement:
"At its best (or maybe just its most accessible), art is ingenuity. I had the pleasure of experiencing this spirit of ‘making what you must with what you have’ collaborating with Cuba’s talented and abundant artists over the course of filming Guava Island. The artist’s endeavor has always been the manifesting of an idea, then forcing a society to recognize, or maybe just question, its value. These artists have not only inspired me to examine what we value on a day-to-day basis, but also to move with intention in the world with the childlike ingenuity that Cuba seems to offer every moment. I’m very proud to be able to share their stories with you."
Take a look at the BTS videos below to learn what makes Guava Island such a special film. While you’re here, check out Donald Glover and Seth Rogen sing "Hakuna Matata" for The Lion King.