A documentary film about Bermuda's Gombey troupes has been selected to screen in the From the Onion Patch section at the 11th Bermuda International Film Festival, March 28-April 5.

'Behind the Mask: Bermuda Gombeys, Past, Present and Future', is by director Adrian Kawaley-Lathan. The 90-minute film is produced by Government's Community and Cultural Affairs Department.

With introductions by Gary Phillips and Louise Jackson, Mr. Kawaley-Lathan interviews the leaders of today's Gombey troupes, who trace their roots back to earlier Gombey leaders.

Historically, the Gombeys were not viewed as a respectable art form by the ruling class.

Slaves were allowed to dance only once a year, and did so in masks in order to protest without fear of retribution against the injustices put upon them by their slave masters.

Uniquely Bermudian, Gombeys evolved as they embraced their African roots with influences of the Masquerade dancers from St. Kitts, and our Bermuda community.

The director has a diverse background within the arts; playwriting and directing for theatre, lighting and technical work backstage, as well as vocal, dance and acting performances in Bermuda and abroad.

He graduated from McMaster University with a Combined Honours Bachelors degree in Peace Studies and Theatre & Film, investigating the potential of collaborating sociocultural theories with artistic practice throughout his studies. This documentary feature is his first film, and he is currently furthering his studies in a Masters programme at the European Peace University in Austria.