Donald Glover’s “Guava Island,” co-starring Rihanna, hit Amazon last weekend after his headlining performance at the Coachella fest in California.
The 55-minute film takes place on a tropical island that is meant to be a paradise but instead serves as a land for the overworked where exports and capitalism trump joy. The protagonist Deni (Glover) tells his love, Kofi (Rihanna), that his mission is to make the perfect song to unite the people of the island. His plans are to play it at his festival so that, for one night, the island dwellers can forget about work and live life.
The musical, shot in Cuba, includes Glover’s recent music as Childish Gambino, including “This Is America,” “Feels Like Summer” and “Summertime Magic.” So far it’s been met with mixed reviews, most of which ask why Rihanna doesn’t sing. (The duo has made “some music together, but it didn’t necessarily make it into this movie,” according to writer Stephen Glover, Donald’s brother.)
But many viewers have pointed out the parallels to rapper Nipsey Hussle’s life and death. The film, which premiered just days after Hussle’s funeral, takes a turn when Deni is shot…
