Cinema of the Mutt: Trini Street Dogs Get A Close-Up in “Pothound”

Words by Jesse Serwer—

A pothound (prounced “pothong” in Trinidad) isn’t someone on a relentless quest for weed but rather a street dog of indeterminate breed. What most in America would call a mutt or, in Jamaica, a maga dog. Trinidadian director Christopher Guinness’ short film Pothound captures a day in the life of one such pup, albeit a rather cute one, giving us a dog’s eye view of Port of Spain and the countryside.

Thanks to its creative and fresh cinematography, the film (made for T&T’s SPCA), which has racked up more than 100,000 views on Vimeo, has been shortlisted for the video site’s Vimeo Awards happening in New York June 7-11. If you’re in NYC, it also screens tonight at 8 p.m. at the CaribbeanTales New York Shorts Showcase happening as part of Caribbean Week in New York City at the Marriott Marquis. Can’t make it? Watch the whole thing right here!