Celebrating Curaçaoan Creoleness in Buladó
In 2020, the film Buladó made history by winning the prestigious
Gouden Kalf award, becoming the first movie spoken in Papiamentu to do so. Set in Curaçao, the narrative delves into the island’s creolized society through its characters’ struggles with identity. Drawing from “In Praise of Creoleness” by Bernabé et al., this essay explores Buladó’s portrayal of creolization, oral tradition, and language dynamics. The essay argues that through its engagement
with Curaçaoan identity and diasporic complexities, the film underscores and celebrates the multifaceted nature of Creoleness in postcolonial societies.