List of Movies
Movies featuring and connected to Haiti, it's history and it's people.
Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture (IMDB page; production website)
Philippe Niang. 2011. France Channel 2. France
"A l’âge de huit ans, Toussaint Louverture voit son père, un vieil esclave, jeté dans les eaux du port du Cap, car jugé improductif. Cette scène le marquera à tout jamais. Devenu adulte, après avoir lui-même été affranchi, il prend la tête de la révolte des esclaves. Il mène Haïti à l’indépendance en 1804.
Mais Bonaparte, l’Aigle blanc, n’accepte pas la concurrence de l’Aigle noir. Il le fait déporter au fort de Joux dans le Jura où il mourra de froid
et de solitude…"
Aristide and the Endless Revolution
Aristide and the Endless Revolution (IMDB page)
Nicolas Rossier. 2005. 83 minutes. Haiti.
"One hour away from Miami the elected President of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation was twice removed from office with the complicity of the international community. “ARSITIDE and the Endless Revolution” is a feature documentary that explores through investigative lenses the events that led to the removal of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the democratically elected President of Haiti. Filmmaker Nicolas Rossier takes the viewer into a journey of political intrigues, armed criminals posing as freedom fighters and economic fiascos. What emerges is a young democracy being constantly tested and ultimately destroyed." (Baraka Productions)
Chercher la vie
Chercher la vie (Looking for Life) (IMDB page)
Claudette Coulanges. 2000. 60 min. Haiti.
This richly photographed film, shot in marketplaces and homes, exposes the way in which two women, Anne-Rose Trejuste and Rosemàne Marcelin, have organized an innovative credit network system.
"Looking for Life introduces the viewer to two women, Anne-Rose and Rosemàne, who each have their own particular way of battling through life. The former makes lunches in a factory yard in Port-au-Prince and sells her meals to the factory workers;the latter is employed in the same factory as a production worker making pullovers and T-shirts. Every day she buys her midday meal on credit from Anne-Rose. Through the connection between these two women the film reveals part of their daily work and the constant battle for survival that they lead together with other women in Haiti. Going beyond this, however the film shows at first hand the extent to which importing of North American goods has brought about the collapse of Haitian regional production and ruined Haiti's economic circumstances." (Claudette Coulanges)
E Pluribus Unum
E Pluribus Unum (IMDB page)
Maxence Denis. 2001. 25 min. Haiti/France.
This energetic documentary celebrates two contemporary sculptors, André and Céleur. Inspired by Vodou and Haitian history, they use recycled materials to transform an area of Port-au-Prince into an informal museum and vibrant workshop. The soundtrack is composed of loops from traditional Vodou songs mixed with ambient sounds.
Haitian Corner
Haitian Corner (German title: New York ist nicht Haiti) (IMDB page)
Raoul Peck. 1988. 98 min. Haiti/USA/West Germany.
The story of a Haitian immigrant in New York, obsessed with finding the man who tortured him during the Duvalier dictatorship. The late Haitian singer Toto Bissainthe plays the role of the mother. Mostly in Kreyol with subtitles.
Of Men and Gods (Des Hommes et des Dieux)
Of Men and Gods (French: Des Hommes et des Dieux) (IMDB page)
Anne Lescot and Laurence Magloire. Haiti, 2002, 52 min., documentary.
"Of Men and Gods" illustrates how gay men find tolerance and peace in the practice of vodou. Kreyòl with English subtitles.
The Man By The Shore
The Man By The Shore (French: L'Homme Sur Le Quais) (IMDB page)
Raoul Peck. 106 min 1993. France/Canada.
1993 movie starring the late Haitian singer Toto Bissainthe. The story is set in the Haiti of the Duvalier era, and tells the story of a young girls struggle for survival in the vicious political and social environment of that dictatorship.
Tchala, L'argent des Reves
Tchala, L'argent des Reves (IMDB page)
Michèle Lemoine. 50 min. 2003.
In roadside stalls in Port-au-Prince, men and women engage in a national pastime, the lottery, in hopes that they hold the winning ticket for a better life.
Toussaint
Toussaint (IMDB page)
Upcoming film about Toussaint Louverture produced by Louverture films and directed by Danny Glover. Apparently secured US$18 million funding from Venezuela.[1]
References
- American Museum of Natural History Living in America: The Haitian Experience; Haiti on Film. January 31, 2004.
- Windows on Haiti: Tequila Minsky's Haiti Film Database - comprehensive list of films related to Haiti.
- Bob Corbett: List of Films dealing with Haiti
- German Documentaries: Claudette Coulanges - Chercher La Vie
- HaitiXchange.com: 10th annual African Diaspora Film Festival - A Nicght in Haiti
- Baraka Productions: Aristide and the Endless Revolution
External links
- Windows on Haiti: Tequila Minsky's Haiti Film Database - comprehensive list of films related to Haiti.
- Louverture films - Named after Toussaint Louverture - "pro-actively supports the employment and training of cast and crew from the African Diaspora, minorities and marginalized communities".
