Native to the Caribbean nation of Haiti, Konpa or Kompas is a modern méringue dance music genre popularised in the late 50s. Formed during and post the US occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934, the US music genre of jazz would take on an interpretation all of its own by the 60s – a reduced méringue compas (Konpa) band performing rhythms consisting of paired electric guitars, electric bass, drum set – conga – timbales, and cowbells, giving the form its distinct sound. Honouring the musical genre and bringing it to the masses at this year’s TriBeCa Film Festival, HBO Best Short Film award winning writer and director Al’Ikens Plancher presents his latest short Konpa, a film following protagonist Jean into a small family owned restaurant as he navigates dealing with a language barrier – unable to speak the native Haitian Creole language. His crush Minouche teaching him the beauty of Konpa. A tale placing Al’Ikens’ Haitian heritage at the centre, he tells us more about what to expect!