Carmen & Bolude

This film captures a search for identity under the guise of getting married. The lead characters find themselves, and acceptance, while following a trail of love and hope and new beginnings.

Insights are provided by random people from different cultural backgrounds who find themselves and provide guidance for knowing yourself.

Love, friendship, and family are woven together and provide a rich backdrop for acceptance. Knowing who you are and who you want to be are so wrapped up in cultural differences which end up demonstrating the similarities.

Such a beautiful and heartfelt movie, with laughs, tears, and everything in between.

I'm not normally a movie goer but I was invited to the Australian premier of Carmen and Bolude and thought "sure, could be fun". It was more than that. This movie explored themes of friendship, home, love (romantic and familial) and culture. More importantly it explored how they intersect. If it had been delivered as a drama it probably would have bored me to tears. Instead, the comedic approach lightened what could have been dark moments and had me laughing. There were also moments where my tears flowed freely. I can't remember the last time a film moved me as much as this one did. Watch this movie. You won't regret it!

Carmen & Bolude is a charming and thought-provoking romantic comedy that seamlessly blends humor with deep cultural insights. The film shines through its effortlessly engaging characters, led by the captivating performances of Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson, whose chemistry and comedic timing create a dynamic relationship that feels both fresh and authentic. Liam Greinke and Elliott Giarola also impress as the male leads, adding heart and charm to the story. Visually stunning, with Calum Stewart's beautiful cinematography, and enhanced by a vibrant soundtrack, the film offers an unforgettable cinematic experience.

The supporting cast is equally remarkable, with standout performances from Olivia Vasquez, Oscar Leal, Will Rodriguez, and Latin Australian reggaeton star Danny Pryp. African Australian stars, like Bolude Watson and Suzan Mutesi, bring captivating energy, while Wale Ojo delivers an unforgettable portrayal of a typical African father. A particularly poignant moment comes from the Aboriginal Aunty, whose emotional performance anchors the film in history, highlighting the lingering effects of cultural heritage, with the powerful line, "You have Aboriginal in you," reminding us of the lasting influence of ethnicity across generations.

Directed by Michela Carattini and Maria Isabel Delaossa, Carmen & Bolude is a brilliant celebration of love, culture, and identity. The film explores the fluidity of race and belonging, with a standout scene addressing the experience of Italian Australians. With extraordinary work from producer Yolandi Franken, this film blends humor, heart, and cultural depth, making it a must-watch. Don't miss the chance to experience this heartfelt and entertaining story - screenings can be found on the film's socials @carmenandbolude.

This film took me on a singular journey, hosted by two engaging and totally believable women. Those women each went through an often humorous, often intense process that captivated me as much as any film I have seen. But what I found most remarkable was how much the characters and scenes that I was taken through confronted me and expanded my awareness of the great variety of cultures and backgrounds that people our modern world. We were introduced to several remarkable and memorable individuals making striking emotional impact. It was educational, but made enjoyable and fulfilling by a story that totally drew me in.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this project! Through your cooperative effort you have created something extraordinary that deserves the highest recognition and praise!

Carmen & Bolude was inventive, cheeky, and full of heart. I laughed, and teared up and had the theme song stuck in my head for the next week. It's packed with discourse about race, whiteness, community and belonging that have kept me thinking and reflecting.

The humour was fresh and the two lead performances were great with real chemistry and depth. I want to watch more from both of their discographies, and will be looking out for them in other Australian films/series. The supporting cast was strong too - and huge!! Lots of people did great things with a few minutes on screen.

Also, I love to see a review from angry "movie guy" who can't stand not being a target audience for a film! That's how you know you've done a great job. When you piss a man off so much they go on a very-telling rant. "It's not the feminism... I hate it because of the colour grading!" Delicious 😋

I saw the movie at a public cinema (it was the only movie with at least one woman on the poster), and have been telling my friends to go see it. The cinema experience was full of love, joy, community and discussion.

I believe any creative project is its process first, the product of that process second - and what matters most is its impact. It feels like this film has made wonderful impact already, and I hope it keeps getting the platforms to keep doing so!