Carmen & Bolude

It was so refreshing to watch this beautiful film that is fully of hope, humour and harmony! Most films I've seen lately contain graphic violence or sex scenes and it's this film has neither!

They show intimacy in a beautiful, realistic way and the intricacies of relationships that are not so black and white.

The cinematography was impressive with some very poignant moments to draw the audience in and take them on the journey.

Some beautifully moving and natural performances with lots of laughs, a few cringes and some gut wrenching moments.

I love how it really opens up the idea of personal identity and what that means for different people. What is unique to us as far as 'home' and as far as our 'roots'.

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!

Still thinking about this movie now, weeks after I watched it.

Did I love it because I have always struggled with my identity a bit? Did I love it because my friend co-created it?

I loved it because it's just a really great, complex movie that gets into hard topics with a tonne of humour, lovable characters, great locations and a sense of warmth that wraps around you like your favourite old jumper - full of memories and impossible to live without.

What really stayed with me was how effortlessly the film moved between laugh-out-loud absurdity and these beautifully vulnerable moments. It never felt preachy, never tried to teach you anything outright - but somehow you left feeling a little more open, a little more seen.

Carmen and Bolude's friendship is the kind of movie relationship I love: messy, hilarious and real. There's something so powerful about seeing two women - each from wildly different cultural backgrounds - lean into each other's chaos.

And let's talk about the '100 Welcomes' moment. What could have easily become a gimmick turns out to be one of the most joyful sequences I've seen on screen. Not just because it's heartwarming, but because it shows what belonging can look like - strange, stitched-together, sometimes awkward but fully human.

I also think this is the kind of story that will land somewhere inside anyone who's ever felt between places, between expectations or between versions of themselves.

More like this, please. Xx.

Carmen & Bolude is genuinely funny, with laugh-out-loud moments throughout the whole film. Even the emotional scenes were supported and relieved by touches of humour, ensuring that the film didn't drag like a straight emotional drama.

The characters are chaotic and flawed yet so loveable, and you can't help rooting for them. The two female leads are exceptional and it was refreshing to see a womance (rather than another bromance).

It was also great to see male characters who were there, not to outshine the women, but to support and bolster them.

Overall, it's just great to see an Australian comedy that's actually funny!