Haiti
1802, l’épopée guadeloupéenne (France), 2006.
In 1802, Napoleon is recapturing the power left vacant by the French Revolution. But first he wants to reestablish the central authority of France over the colonies of Guadeloupe and Saint-Domingue, where the slaves have been freed. Clearly, the orders are to force the local population back into slavery.
The Agronomist (United States), 2005.
Tells the story of Haitian national hero, journalist, and freedom fighter Jean Dominique. As owner and operator of his nation’s oldest and only free radio station, Dominique was frequently at odds with his country’s various repressive governments and spent much of the 80’s and early 90’s in exile in New York, where Demme continued to interview him over the years. Dominique fought tirelessly against his country’s overwhelming injustice, oppression, and poverty.
Aristide and the Endless Revolution (United States), 2005.
Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the former president of Haiti, was twice removed from office with the complicity of the international community. An investigation into the events that led to his most recent ouster, ‘Aristide and the endless revolution’ exposes the geopolitical intrigue, the economic alliances between the Haitian and U.S. elite, the armed criminals posing as freedom fighters and other factors that have consistently threatened this young democracy.
Children of Shadows (United States), 2004.
The film follows the restavèk children of Haiti as they go through their daily chores–the endless cycle of cooking, washing, sweeping, mopping, going to the market, going to fetch water, going to run errands, etc. In hearbreaking interviews, the children speak openly and shyly about the lives they are forced to lead. The “aunts” (adoptive caretakers) speak openly and proudly of the vast mountain of work that “their” restavèk does for them.
Ghosts of Cité Soleil (Haiti), 2005.
Enter the lives of notorious gang leaders who dominate the Haitian slum of Cité Soleil. The reality of life today in Haiti unfolds before us as we get to know two brothers and their stories intimately.
Of Men and Gods — Des hommes et des dieux (France), 2002.
Through interviews with several openly gay Haitian men, this film examines Haitian society’s attitude towards homosexuality. Although homosexuality is considered taboo, gay culture is allowed to flourish within the context of the Vodou religion. As “children of the Gods” gay men find an outlet for theatrical expression through exhilarating performances in which they embody the gods. The film also deals with how the daily lives of gay men in Haiti are affected by AIDS.
Voodoo and the Church in Haiti (United States), 1988.
Examines voodooism in Haiti and its relationship to the Catholic church.