An epic, sardonic take on the American musical, West Indies premiered with a then record-setting budget for an African film.

Adapted from Daniel Boukman’s play Les negriers, West Indies explores histories of colonialism, from sugar cane and slavery to the fruitless attempts of contemporary Caribbean immigrants to find a future in France. Hondo’s relentless dedication to his artistic vision led to the construction of a massive wooden slave ship in an abandoned Parisian Citroën factory—with the single location showcasing the director’s deft skill with framing, staging, and montage. West Indies shocked audiences and critics alike, but in recent years it has reclaimed its rightful place in the cinematic canon. In French with English subtitles. (113 mins., DCP)