On the evening of November 22 the official Instagram account of Kes the Band announced the death of Danielle Dieffenthaller. She was the older sister of the band’s frontman Kees, guitarist Jon and former drummer Hans Dieffenthaller. She died in hospice at age 60 after heart complications stopped a planned kidney transplant. She had renal failure since 2018 and was on dialysis for years.
Dieffenthaller was a Trinidadian television and film producer and director best known for the long-running soap Westwood Park. She produced and directed the series, kept ownership of it, and it ran for six seasons. Westwood Park was shown in the Caribbean and was syndicated in Papua New Guinea, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Difficult words
- filmmaker — A person who makes films or movies.
- director — A person who manages a film's production.
- culture — The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a group.
- award — A prize given for achievement.
- local — Nearby or related to a specific area.
- stories — Tales or narratives about events.
- pride — A feeling of satisfaction from achievements.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think it's important to tell cultural stories?
- How can films influence people's understanding of culture?
- What might have motivated Danielle to start making films?
Related articles
Caribbean year of tensions, culture and climate
The Caribbean saw political tensions between the United States and Venezuela, major cultural wins and environmental challenges. Hurricanes and renewable energy plans shaped the year, while sport successes and political debates marked regional headlines.
