WILLEMSTAD, ORANJESTAD — The anthropological film Changa will be screened in Aruba and Curaçao on January 21 and 22, 2026, marking the start of an international conversation on coexistence, difference, and inclusivity. Using the game of dominoes as its central lens, the film explores how Caribbean communities — including those in the Dutch diaspora — develop ethical and inclusive ways of living together.
Changa was created by visual anthropologist Manpreet Brar and his co-creator, and is driven by the question of whether everyday practices, such as playing dominoes, contain deeper lessons about social life. In the film, the domino game becomes a tool for examining broader societal themes, including connection, difference, shared rules, and collective responsibility, both within and beyond the Caribbean.
Inter-transcultural conversation
The film invites domino players and enthusiasts to take part in what the creators describe as an inter-transcultural dialogue on ethical coexistence amid difference. This conversation transcends national borders and includes communities in Curaçao, Aruba, Cuba, Jamaica, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, as well as countries outside the Caribbean such as the Netherlands, Italy, South Africa, China, Vietnam, and South Korea.
A diverse group of artists and contributors collaborated on Changa, including Juny Martina, Ray Fuego and Ploegendienst, Amy Miyú, Michael Lampe, Riwensley Hansen, and the Earthquake Brassband. Editing was handled by Ian del Angel, while graphic design and the film poster were created by Xavira Latina.
Public anthropology within the Kingdom
The screenings in Aruba and Curaçao are part of the Chair of Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at the University of Amsterdam and KITLV-KNAW. The chair is funded by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and aims to connect academic research with social and cultural issues across the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
With Changa, the filmmakers seek to demonstrate how a seemingly simple game like dominoes can serve as a powerful starting point for a broader dialogue on how societies — despite differences and inequality — can create space for inclusive forms of coexistence.