Young people show that with talent, development is possible even in Suriname
Believe in your talent and have the courage to actually do something with it. That is the message that filmmaker and content creator Jill Cassie, stage name for Jill Chen Poun Joe, wants to convey with her work. Through film, dance and digital content she tries to inspire young people to pursue their creative dreams. Visibility plays an important role in this. “When young people see who they can identify with and who are making their dreams come true from the same environment, it suddenly becomes a lot more realistic to take that step themselves,” she says in conversation with the True Time.
Text Steven Seedo
Sculpture Helio Phoeli
Through her productions, Cassie not only wants to inspire, but also show that talent, creativity and perseverance from Suriname can open doors. She believes that the Surinamese creative sector has a lot to offer. The diverse cultures, perspectives and influences create a special mix. “People here are often very creative with few resources. That is precisely why original ideas and unique perspectives arise. That is what makes the creative sector here so special and strong,” she says.
“Entertainment has the power to unleash emotions, start conversations and touch people without it feeling forced”
Basic ingredients are missing
However, according to Cassie, there is still a lot of room for improvement. One of the biggest challenges for young creatives is the opportunity to specialize further. Although talent and passion are abundant, training, guidance and creative platforms are often lacking. As a result, young people have to figure out a lot for themselves or look for development opportunities outside Suriname. “Many creatives have the passion and talent, but not always the right guidance, resources or environment to fully develop.”
She thinks greater access to creative education, mentorship and professional workspaces can make a big difference. Young people should not only be able to discover their talent, but also have the opportunity to develop it further and ultimately earn an income from it. In addition, Cassie believes it is important that Surinamese talent is given an international stage more often. Surinamese cultures, music styles and creative expressions also have the power to touch and connect people beyond national borders.
Talent alone is not enough. Professionalism, character and the way someone presents themselves online also play a role. “You never know who is watching, whose radar you will end up on or who will later recommend you based on a collaboration. That is why I think it is important to always humble and to be conscious of your character and online behavior.”
After all, the film and entertainment world is all about teamwork. “People should not only want to work with your talent, but also with you as a person,” is an important lesson she wants to pass on to young creatives.
Entertainment as a source of inspiration
For Cassie, entertainment is much more than relaxation. It can help young people to distance themselves from their daily worries, but also offer new perspectives. Through films, music and digital platforms, makers can make people think and release emotions. “Entertainment has the power to release emotions, start conversations and touch people without it feeling forced. Sometimes a film, song or vlog has enough impact to make someone look at themselves, their situation or dreams differently.”
She also takes that idea into her productions. She not only wants to tell her personal stories, but also give a face to special people and talents in Suriname. “I use visuals not only to create beautiful images, but also to create emotions, journeys and convey meaning. If someone finds the courage to start their own business, dreams bigger or feels seen through content I have produced, then I have achieved my goal with my work.”
From creative lessons to filmmaker
Her love for creativity started in her childhood. Her mother noticed the interest and encouraged her to take lessons. Crafting, drawing and writing were her first outlets.
Later she started writing film scripts during free lessons at secondary school. Films always meant more to her than just entertainment. They offered a way to escape everyday reality and at the same time intensely experience stories and emotions.
An important turning point came in 2011, when she took part in the screenwriting competition I-Write. There she was linked to ‘Video Information Production Suriname’ under the guidance of Kenneth Gooswit. He gave her the opportunity to write a script for a feature film. That experience taught her a lot and brought her into contact with local artists.
Gooswit then also introduced her to directing, filming and editing. His advice in particular not to wait for opportunities, but to pick up the camera yourself, stuck with her. “This was a wake-up call. Although I didn’t dare to do it at first, my father gave me my first camera shortly afterwards.”
That turned out to be the beginning of a new phase. She started capturing more and more: short films and… behind the scenes images to dance videos, vlogs and social media content. With support from her environment, her hobby grew into a professional passion.
‘Aspire to Inspire’
The artist describes himself as a filmmaker and content creator. She wants to represent Suriname with creativity, dance and entertainment and at the same time create opportunities for local talent. She summarizes her mission in the motto: ‘Aspire to Inspire’.
Travel also plays an important role in her creative development. Discovering other cultures fuels her imagination and storytelling skills. By bringing together different perspectives, she wants to connect communities and give her productions new angles.
Her special attention goes to dance and youth empowerment. She collaborates with renowned artists, brands and dancers who have achieved international success. She wants to bring the knowledge and experience she gains through these collaborations back to Suriname to help the next generation.
For Cassie, it is ultimately about more than a successful production. She wants to show young people that their origins or the limited opportunities in their environment do not have to be an obstacle. Talent and creativity can also gain international reach from Suriname.
International recognition
A special production in her portfolio is ‘Finding My Roots – Visual Diary’, which was created last year. What started as a personal story for social media grew into a project that also earned Cassie international recognition. The production was awarded at the ‘Close Friendship Obliterates the Distance Short Video Contest’ in China. “To me, it initially just felt like social media content and a personal story that I wanted to capture. Ultimately, it opened up a whole new world for me and even won an award in China. That taught me that you should never underestimate what a story or creative idea can unleash,” she says.
“People here are often very creative with few resources. This is precisely why original ideas and unique perspectives arise.”
Dance, film and storytelling remain the common thread in her work. Her career started with screenwriting and storytelling and they remain her greatest love to this day.
These disciplines also come together in the series ‘Dance in Suriname’. Together with her team she developed concepts in which stories and dance videos reinforce each other. In this way, she not only wants to portray dancers and their movements, but also make visible the stories and creativity behind the dance.
