Far From the Barbarous Coast
In 1791, a slaveship on its way to Haiti is pursued by a vengeful spirit.
There's a lot to be said about micro-budget, single location scripts. Shooting a short with the quality it deserves can be an expensive venture, so opting for bare bones premises is a great way to make one’s dollar stretch.
But sometimes a story deserves to be told in metaphorical technicolor, with a production which spares little expense. Such is J. Philip Wilkins' Far From the Barbarous Coast - a historical horror tale set on the eve of the Haitian Revolution.
Ostensibly single location (unless you consider a boat and the water around it separate settings), Barbarous Coast has just a few characters, too.
Its protagonist/antagonist: Captain Phillipe Rousseau – a monster of a man with delusions of piety, who makes his money bringing slaves to the colony via his ship, the Bonne Amite. Ironically, though each slave swells Rousseau’s coffers, he’s more than willing to toss several overboard as an example if they give him trouble. At least eight poor souls fit that category now, having spread a rumor of a slave rebellion back onshore.
Lined up, these “malcontents” have been doomed to walk the plank. Rousseau watches, entertained as – one by one – each captive takes their last step off the bow…
While something in the water waits; eager for the meal that’s being served.
Captain moves to the rear of the ship, stares down into the murky waters, spots the body.
A moment later, a massive, dark form surfaces just long enough to devour the body whole, an African girl with iridescent skin that glints in the moonlight seems to ride its back.
The creature ducks down into the depths just as smooth.
No reaction from the captain, as if he's seen this before.
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
There she was again.
BOSUN'S MATE
What, sir?
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
The devil that's followed us from Port-Novo.
The bosun's mate peeks over the edge.
BOSUN'S MATE
Don't see nuthin'. Just some voodoo the slaves like to chant about.
Some story about Mami Wata. Absolute drivel.
“Absolute drivel”” Then what’s in the water? Has the stress of command and all that time at sea caused Rousseau’s mind to play tricks?
And when a young African girl (Rhanu) arrives at his side – is he hallucinating her, too? Unlikely. Assuming her to be an escaped slave from the galley, Rousseau doesn’t entirely reject Rhanu’s attempts at conversation.
Truth be told, Rousseau finds Rhanu’s questions intriguing… as is the crude wooden cross around her neck:
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
So, you're not a heathen after all.
RHANU
I was saved by a Dutch missionary.
Taught to read and write.
Told many things. Some good, some evil.
Both things reside in your Bible.
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
I am blessed by His word,
my duties consecrated by scripture.
"Slaves be obedient to your human masters
with fear and trembling in sincerity of-
RHANU
-of heart as to Christ. Yes, I know it well.
How about, "Were you a slave when you were called?
Don't let it trouble you. Although, if you can gain your freedom, do so".
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
I’m not familiar with-
RHANU
As Peter says, we're all God's slaves.
More of the prisoners on the plank fall into the sea and are gobbled up. Rousseau and Rhanu both watch. Rhanu eases closer – physically. And with her disturbing observations, too:
Another SPLASH.
Captain turns to the rail, watches the sharks' ritual play out again.
RHANU
The devil feeds well.
We seem to be more alike than you know.
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
Ridiculous.
RHANU
We both make dinner for monstrous vengeance.
CAPTAIN ROUSSEAU
Bosun! (sotto)
Where be that fool?
Why look for Bosun? Shouldn't Rousseau be looking out for.. himself?
What awaits Rousseau on Haiti’s shore… or in the depths of that sea he’s so willing to fill with innocent blood?
Far From the Barbarous Coast is ALSO far from shoestring. But if shot with creativity, suggestion, and a touch of magic in post, the right director could bring this rich, brooding piece to life. Make the Bonne Amitee cinematically sail, and you’re sure to catch an audience’s fancy – much in the way Rhanu catches Rousseau’s. Though with FAR less grim results!