Fireburn the Documentary

Fireburn the Documentary

This educational short film serves as a tool for cultural preservation and shares the rich history of the US Virgin Islands. The documentary features historians, artists and cultural ambassadors sharing their knowledge of the bloody labor revolt of 1878 on the island of St. Croix.

The Fireburn documentary was selected as the 2021 Best Documentary at the Chicago Indie Film Awards, as well as at the Djarfogo International Film Festival (West Africa); it received the 2021 Best Producer award by Luminous Frames Film Festival (Denmark); and the 2021 Audience Choice award at the International Black & Diversity Film Festival (Canada). It was nominated as a semi-finalist at the Flicker’s Rhode Island International Film Festival and nominated for either Best Director, Best Doc Short or Best Experimental Short in 12 different film festivals for 2021. The documentary is airing on PBS.

For information about how you can purchase licensing rights to screen this film for your school, or organize a screening, visit New Day Films.

Free Study Guide Download

To order DVDs for home viewing only:

PURCHASE

“[…] a powerful short film on the human rights violations that occurred during the Fireburn — the bloody Labor Revolt of 1878, on the Island of St. Croix” 

~The Virgin Islands Consortium
Staff Consortium

“Short films are making progressive waves this past year, especially one project by artist and filmmaker Angela Golden Bryan.” 

~Times Square Chronicles
Elisabeth Taylor

“The documentary explores the inhumane work and living conditions that existed prior to the revolt and takes an in depth look at the women who were called “Queens” due to their leadership.” 

~The Virgin Islands Daily News
Lori Abbotts

“Thank you for making this documentary. These women deserve to be legends. Keep this history alive.”

“[…] a short documentary that pays homage to an event significant to Virgin Islands history.” 

~The St. Thomas Source
Adisha Penn

“The documentary helps bring the story to a global stage and new audiences.”

~The Fox Magazine
The Editors Of The Fox Magazine

We are honored to announce that both “Fireburn the Screenplay” and “James and the Fireburn” were selected as “Great ‘Reads from Great Places” in 2022.

About “Great ‘Reads from Great Places”

Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book during the National Book Festival. Each book is selected by a local Center for the Book or state library and most are for children and young readers. Books may be written by authors from the state, take place in the state, or celebrate the state’s culture and heritage.

Library of Congress: Great Reads from Great Places - Adult Award
Library of Congress: Great Reads from Great Places - Children's Award

Fireburn The Screenplay

Angela Golden Bryan wrote Fireburn The Screenplay: A story of passion ignited, based on the history of St. Croix, with the intention of creating greater awareness of the US Virgin Island’s bloody Labor Revolt of 1878. This pivotal event is known as the Fireburn and it drastically affected the people and economy of the islands. Due to the unique nature of the US Virgin Islands, this story is Caribbean history, Danish history, African diaspora history and World history, yet it is little known outside the islands.

Bryan’s historical fiction is a tribute to the four “Queens” who rose to leadership by taking a fiery stance against the unfair labor conditions that existed for the emancipated Laborers. Her book weaves a tale of passion, purpose, and revenge and delivers an electrifying and visceral experience to the reader. The vivid descriptions, historical references, and turbulent relationships create a myriad of emotions.

Interesting trivia about Fireburn the Screenplay’s success:

  • Amazon #1 Bestseller July 2019
  • Fireburn The Screenplay made it to the #1 spot on Amazon.com in Screenplays, beating “Save the Cat” by Blake Snyder and “The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman
  • Fireburn The Screenplay made it to the #22nd spot in Performing Arts, beating old-time classics such as “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller and the infamous “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare Fireburn The Screenplay reached spot #1,862 for all books sold on Amazon. Top 2000 amongst millions and millions of books available.
Fireburn Screenplay

Free Study Guide Download

PURCHASE
James and the Fireburn

Free Study Guide Download

PURCHASE

James and the Fireburn

James and the Fireburn is a story within a story, beautifully woven by best-selling author, Angela Golden Bryan. It is important for children to learn right from wrong and to avoid destructive bullying behavior. James and the Fireburn not only provides lessons in making wise choices for children, it also teaches them a bit of US Caribbean history in the process. This book takes challenging subjects and presents them in a fun rhyme, making both the story and lesson easier to learn and remember. In an age-appropriate manner, James and the Fireburn explores what happens when silence prevails and also encourages children to stand up for what is right.

Read Along With the Author

Interesting trivia about James and the Fireburn’s success:

  • BookauthorityJames and the Fireburn was selected by BookAuthority as one of the best Caribbean history books of all time.
  • “James and the Fireburn” was taken to the senate floor by US Virgin Islands Senator Genevieve Whitaker in August of 2021, as an example of the type of book that should be in VI classrooms to teach students about history and appropriate anti-bullying behavior.

Renew Your Mind Card Deck

This beautiful and inspirational card deck was created with lots of love and consists of 31 individual cards. Thoughts are powerful “things” that can shape your life so you must be intentional about the thoughts you think. This card deck will help you focus on Biblical truth so that you can get the results you desire.

Inspired by Angela’s love for the Caribbean, the cards have tropical scenes on one side, along with powerful affirmations, while the other is a “madras” pattern and includes powerful Scripture. Angela loves madras and identifies with it strongly as a part of her culture. Many islands throughout the Caribbean have chosen to use madras, which is a calico-like print, as the material of choice for cultural costumes, clothing and decoration. Madras originates from the peasant class in India and is named after a small village, Madraspatnam. Madras made its way to the Caribbean in the 1600s when Dutch and British settlers used it in trade.

PURCHASE

They Say

“Short films are making progressive waves this past year, especially one project by artist and filmmaker Angela Golden Bryan.”

Times Square Chronicles
Elisabeth Taylor

“The documentary explores the inhumane work and living conditions that existed prior to the revolt and takes an in depth look at the women who were called “Queens” due to their leadership.”

The Virgin Islands Daily News
Lori Abbotts

“[…] a short documentary that pays homage to an event significant to Virgin Islands history.”

The St. Thomas Source
Adisha Penn

“The documentary helps bring the story to a global stage and new audiences.”

The Fox Magazine
The Editors Of The Fox Magazine

“This documentary is an insightful look into Virgin Islands history and culture. Not only is it visually stunning, it puts a whole new meaning and depth behind the Fireburn.”

Sara Kirkpatrick, The Virgin Islands Daily News reporter

“This screenplay had me riveted and feeling spellbound, shocked, saddened, uplifted and joyous…all at the same time.”

Mark Gibbons

“Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. Although it’s written in a movie script format, it only took me a couple of pages to get used to it and get into a rhythm. Super interesting and educational. Would love to see this on the big screen one day!”

Derek Latta

“Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially the history of the islands, will love this. The angst and frustration of our ancestors during and after slavery supposedly ended was deeply felt as I read the lines of this screenplay.”

Staci B.

“This book is amazing! As a teacher from the Virgin Islands, I appreciate that I can teach about bullying and incorporate aspects of our history!”

Grant D.

“This is a wonderfully written and illustrated book! Children and adults will benefit from the author’s message. Every child should be able to read this inspirational book and hopefully schools will make this a part of their curriculum.”

Frances Adler