‘Carnival’ first drama to be shot against backdrop of St Paul’s Carnival

We’ve often seen the vibrant, colourful St Paul’s Carnival on screen. But oddly enough, no one has ever thought to use the event as the backdrop for a drama.

Until now.

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The aptly titled Carnival tells the story of former wild child and absent mother Rochelle, who returns to Bristol to reconnect with her young daughter, Soraya.

The little girl now lives with Rochelle’s father, who is sceptical about her claims to have moved on. But she’s determined to prove him wrong as she takes Soraya to the carnival, where she encounters Darren – a man from her past.

The 12-minute film’s director and producer is Stuart Napier, whose first dramatic short, Little White Lies, was screened at festivals around the world and nominated for a BAFTA. Stuart’s background is in documentary film-making.

His Wacky Racers won Best Regional Documentary Award at the Royal Television Society West of England Awards back in 2003 and he’s also bagged a prestigious Wildscreen Award for editing.

Stuart says it’s this experience in factual filmmaking that prepared him for the challenging, time-limited, vérité-style shoot in such a busy environment.

Eight-year-old Haniya Lampkin Berry plays Soraya

“Meticulous planning was required to make the production run smoothly during the carnival,” Stuart told Bristol24/7.

“Working with a small budget and with the added pressure of filming at a large public event, some scenes and dialogue had to be adapted to take into account of the changing environment. You have to try and have fun, be bold and let the restrictions work in your favour.”

Nadia Williams is cast as Rochelle

Bristol Film Office helped out with securing permits and liaising with the police. But Stuart and his crew also relied upon the goodwill of festival-goers, who were enlisted as extras.

“Everywhere you looked there was an amazing background for our shots. The people at the festival were very friendly and interested in what we were doing, but ultimately left us alone.”

Bath-based Poldark actor Ed Browning plays Daniel

Superbly shot by Mari Yamamura, the film certainly succeeds in capturing the atmosphere of last year’s 50th anniversary Carnival, which Stuart describes as one of the stars of the film. The human cast, along with the crew, are all locals.

Best known for his role as Paul Daniel in the Beeb’s Poldark, Bath-based Ed Browning plays Daniel. Nadia Williams, whose credits include Broadchurch and Casualty, is cast as Rochelle. And making her film debut as Soraya is eight-year-old Haniya Lampkin Berry, who’s of Guyanese, Swiss and Jamaican ancestry.

“I knew I needed to cast experienced actors for the main leads,” says Stuart.

“Nadia Williams and Ed Browning read the script and just loved what we were trying to do and the ambition of the project. Haniya was discovered through a casting agent. She had an amazing work ethic for someone so young.”

Veteran Bristol reggae musician Dennis McCalla, aka Dallas, plays Soraya’s granddad

Reggae enthusiasts will also recognise the chap who’s cast as Soraya’s granddad: Jamaican-born veteran Dennis McCalla, who goes by the stage name of Dallas.

A Bristol resident since 1963, Dallas’ first performance was at a talent contest held in the late Tony Bullimore’s Bamboo Club off Portland Square. An associate of Black Roots, he’s also played the Glastonbury Festival and has supported such acts as The Temptations and Millie Jackson. In addition to his performance, he’s supplied two songs for the film’s soundtrack.

“Dennis is such a character and as soon as I saw him I knew he was right to cast as the grandfather,” enthuses Stuart. “He had acted before, but not for a while. He was such a joy to work with.”

There’s much additional fun to be had in spotting all street locations. And, perhaps, in wondering how two characters managed to get from St Paul’s to the Lansdown pub in Clifton so swiftly.

So the big question is: when can we expect to see Carnival? Stuart is putting the finishing touches to the film now, after which he plans to unleash it on the international festival circuit. A local screening is also a possibility. Keep an eye on our listings and the Carnival website for details when they’re confirmed.

Read more: In photos: St Paul’s Carnival 2018