Carmen & Bolude marks something of a first for Australian films. Here is a comedy about two close friends, Carmen (Michela Carattini) and Bolude (Bolude Watson), who both call Australia home. Carmen proudly embraces her Latin heritage, while Bolude navigates the line between Western values and her Nigerian roots. Together, they take on the world and the rampant Americanised identity politics that have caused much society to turn against itself.

We meet Carmen on the subways of New York where a man uses the close proximity of a packed train to touch her. Carmen loudly and proudly advocates for herself, standing up against the patriarchal dominance of the spaces we live.

When we meet Bolude, she is also working abroad in new York, a home away from home where she needs to navigate the surprise marriage proposal from her white Aussie boyfriend Tommy (Liam Grienke). That navigation means a careful consideration of how she approaches her cultural roots, and the path that she wants to follow in her life. After all, it's quite likely that her father Akin (Wale Ojo) would disapprove of the marriage.

And disapprove he does, giving Bolude the ultimatum that she needs to collect 100 welcomes from Australian locals to prove to her father that she has a home away from home. What follows is a bright and delightful celebration of sisterhood, friendship, and remembering the cultural roots that tie us to our parents and our past.

What makes Carmen & Bolude something of a first for Australian films is in its proudly women-led foundations, driven by voices that want to hear themselves on screen in an industry that regularly asks for more diversity on screen. We so rarely get to hear from the Nigerian diaspora on screen in Australia, so to not only see and hear their stories, but to also witness the joy of dance, is an impactful step forward for Australian cinema.

Carmen & Bolude is a joyous, life affirming comedy that'll have you grinning from start to finish. Full of rich and beautiful characters that make you feel like you're spending time with family and friends. It's a genuine delight, and I'm grateful for the time and openness that both Michela and Bolude shared with me in the following interview.

Carmen & Bolude is produced by Yolandi Franken and Michela Carattini, with Michela co-directing alongside Maria Isabel Delaossa. Michela and Bolude co-wrote the script together, and take co-lead duties in the film, with a supporting cast that includes David Collins, Olivia Vasquez, Wale Ojo, and many more.

In the following discussion, Michela and Bolude talk about the journey to getting this story on screen, the joy of dance, and the importance of seeing and hearing your own stories on screen.

Carmen & Bolude will be screening at the Hayden Orpheum on 19 March 2025, with further screenings around Australia. Find all the dates and more here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.