Join us for a screening of Changá which follows Dutch-Caribbean artists in the Netherlands, as they apply the philosophy of domino to the game of life. Changá is a documentary that explores the complex yet vibrant sense of belonging experienced by Antillean and Dutch-Caribbean creatives living in the Netherlands. Through the lens of domino, a beloved pastime across the Caribbean, the film follows anthropologist Francio Guadeloupe and filmmaker Manpreet Brar as they sit down with a new generation of artists navigating life between two worlds.
Following the screening, we invite you to stay for a lively domino evening; a chance to experience the philosophy of the film firsthand. Whether you’re a seasoned player or have never touched a domino tile before, everyone is welcome at the table.
There will also be a market, centered on Dutch-Caribbean literature, by Simia Literario
More about Changá
In Papiamentu, Changá is the term used when a player wins at both ends of the domino chain, scoring double points. For the opponent, however, it means being blocked from the game entirely. The film uses this metaphor to ask: How do you move within the realm of what is possible? What initiatives do you take, and where do they lead you?
Through intimate conversations with musicians, poets, and creators, the film asks: how do you build a home far from home, and what does it take to play your hand with grace? Through their stories, the film reveals how these creatives apply the philosophy of domino to their daily lives, by responding to the hand they are dealt, finding opportunities in obstacles, and redefining what it means to call the Netherlands home. As one participant puts it: “Everybody comes to the game of life, gets a hand and has to play it.”
More about the invited players
Prof. dr. Francio Guadeloupe is a social anthropologist and public intellectual examining colonial legacies, cultural diversity, and national identity across the Dutch Kingdom. He holds a dual role as Professor of Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Senior Research Fellow at the KITLV. A former President of the University of St. Martin, his fieldwork spans the Dutch Caribbean, the Netherlands, and Brazil. He argues that the Caribbean and European parts of the Kingdom are deeply interwoven in daily life, not separate worlds. His key books include Chanting Down the New Jerusalem (2009) and Black Man in the Netherlands (2022).
Manpreet Brar is a Visual Anthropologist researching the dynamic relationship between music, religion, and culture. Through her films, Manpreet highlights how culture is actively lived, (re)made, and experienced. Her previous films include Colored Frequencies, about how various musicians and creatives in Amsterdam Zuidoost experience blackness through dimensions such as creativity, religiosity, and spirituality, and Kawina Collections: Afro-Surinamese Music, Heritage & Spirituality, which explores what kawina means to different musicians, producers, DJs, and listeners. Driven by a desire to make stories visible, she explores how music, voices, and heritage are part of everyday life. Awaaz-a is her platform for showcasing these sounds, voices, and stories (awāzẽ, awāzā̃, âvâzhâ).
AMY MIYÚ is an entertainer with Curaçaoan roots whose music, energy, and creative presence are deeply rooted in her Caribbean identity. After first gaining attention with a locally celebrated debut track, she went on to build a solo career that led to collaborations with artists and producers including Yung Felix, Rochelle, Lady Bee, and Laidback Luke. Blending moombahton, dancehall, house, and rap, Amy moves effortlessly between Papiamentu, Dutch, and English, creating genre-fluid music driven by rhythm, attitude, and movement. Known for her vibrant personality both on stage and online, she continues to expand her artistic world through music, live performance, and now film, bringing the sound and spirit of the islands to new audiences.
Juny Martina is an hip-hop artist from Curaçao who uses his music as a protest against social injustice. His latest album ‘Negropont’ explores the complex identity of the ‘Yu Di Kòrsou’ and the future of the island, painting a dystopian picture of the relationship between Curaçao and the Netherlands. Blending local genres such as Seú, Tambú and Müzik di Zumbi with hip-hop, Juny creates a post-genre sound that pairs sharp statements on colonialism and capitalism with a hopeful and lively energy. Rapping primarily in Papiamentu, his music results in swinging, steaming dancefloor scenes. Juny Martina, mas ku un rapper!
Eva Croes is an Aruban performing artist, choreographer, actor, and dance educator based in the Netherlands. In 2022, she was awarded Teacher of the Year by the Municipality of Amsterdam in recognition of her contribution to arts education. Her career has taken her to stages in Jordan, Germany, Scotland, the United States, and Cuba, where she performed at the Biennale de La Habana. Alongside her work in dance, Eva is professionally training as an actor, expanding her artistic practice through film and screen performance. She is passionate about telling stories that foster empathy, spark dialogue, and connect people across cultures.
Failo is a freestyle artist and musician born and raised in Aruba in a Surinamese household. Influenced by Caribbean rhythms and his cultural background, Failo blends these elements with modern hip hop and R&B to create his own distinct sound. Constantly surrounding himself with music and artistry, Failo continues to shape and evolve his creative identity.
More about the Simia Literario…
Simia Literario (Papiamentu for “literary seed”) is an intergenerational collective of Dutch Caribbean writers, poets, and artists based in the Netherlands. The organization, founded in 2001, promotes Dutch-Caribbean literature through workshops, lectures, literary cafés, stage performances, radio and television interviews, book fairs, and publications. Members write and present in Papiamentu, Dutch, and English, and over the years Simia Literario has published numerous anthologies. Today, the collective continues to nurture Caribbean literary voices and connect them with audiences in the Netherlands and beyond.
