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LOOKING FOR LIFE
[Chercher La Vie] (In Creole and French with English
subtitles)
Director:   Coulanges, Claudette
Cast:
Year:   1999
Running Time (in minutes):   60
Chercher la Vie ("Looking tor Life") introduces the viewer to two women, Anne-Rose and Rosemène, 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. The connection between these two concerns of the film, which at first glance may not necessarily seem related, reveals the significant role that Haitian women of today play in an economy that has been bled dry. Written by Claudette Coulanges { This email address is hidden from email harvesters via JavaScript }

AGRONOMIST, THE
Director:   Demme, Jonathan
Cast:
Year:   2003
Running Time (in minutes):   90

Jean Dominique, the Haitian radio personality, investigative journalist, and political activist who was assassinated in April 2000, is the subject of Jonathan Demme's informative documentary. Demme, who has directed other documentaries about charismatic figures such as Spalding Gray (SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA), asked Dominique to participate in this film in 1991. At that time, Dominique was exiled from Haiti and living in New York City, where he remained dedicated to combatting the oppressive Haitian government. Interviews with Dominique and his wife Michele Montas shed light on the strong personalities and utter conviction of these two charming renegades, while Demme interweaves footage that puts their lives in context. Shots of their independent radio station, Radio Haiti, show the husband-wife team broadcasting inside the station, as well as the building's bullet-riddled exterior. A tour of Dominique's childhood home, where his mother shares her reflections, instantly communicate his deep attachment to Haiti. Meanwhile, harder pictures of riots and violence show the country's deep-seated poverty, injustice, and political unrest. All of this culminates in a simple explanation of why Dominique was so dedicated to trying to make a change. With a nice balance of character development--highlighting Dominique's remarkable spirit--and political background about Haiti and Dominique's impact on its people, THE AGRONOMIST is a superb film. The excellent, dub-heavy soundtrack by Wyclef Jean brings a contemporary edge to the film's events.

ON THE VERGE OF A FEVER
Director: John L'Ecuyer
From: Haiti/Quebec-Canada
Year: 2004 Minutes: 88
Language: French with English sub.
Genre: Drama
Against the backdrop of poverty, fear and the brutal dictatorship of Haiti in 1971, On the Verge of a Fever (Le goût des jeunes filles) is about Fanfan, a 15-year-old boy who just wants to experience life for himself with his streetwise friend Gégé. Having lived a somewhat sheltered life with his protective mother, Fanfan experiences a bizarrely terrifying incident involving a Tonton-Macoute. As a result, he decides to hide out at his beautiful neighbor's house for the weekend. There, he is trapped between his fear of being caught and the fulfilling of his deepest fantasy. Based on the Book Le Gout des Jeunes Filles by famous Haitian novelist Dany Laferriere.

When:		February 27, 2010 11:00am-5:00pm
Where:		The Afro-American Cultural Center at Yale University, 211 Park Street, New Haven
Type:		Other
LOOKING FOR LIFE [Chercher La Vie] (In Creole and French with English subtitles) Director: Coulanges, Claudette Cast: Year: 1999 Running Time (in minutes): 60 Chercher la Vie ("Looking tor Life") introduces the viewer to two women, Anne-Rose and Rosemène, 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. The connection between these two concerns of the film, which at first glance may not necessarily seem related, reveals the significant role that Haitian women of today play in an economy that has been bled dry. Written by Claudette Coulanges { This email address is hidden from email harvesters via JavaScript } AGRONOMIST, THE Director: Demme, Jonathan Cast: Year: 2003 Running Time (in minutes): 90 Jean Dominique, the Haitian radio personality, investigative journalist, and political activist who was assassinated in April 2000, is the subject of Jonathan Demme's informative documentary. Demme, who has directed other documentaries about charismatic figures such as Spalding Gray (SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA), asked Dominique to participate in this film in 1991. At that time, Dominique was exiled from Haiti and living in New York City, where he remained dedicated to combatting the oppressive Haitian government. Interviews with Dominique and his wife Michele Montas shed light on the strong personalities and utter conviction of these two charming renegades, while Demme interweaves footage that puts their lives in context. Shots of their independent radio station, Radio Haiti, show the husband-wife team broadcasting inside the station, as well as the building's bullet-riddled exterior. A tour of Dominique's childhood home, where his mother shares her reflections, instantly communicate his deep attachment to Haiti. Meanwhile, harder pictures of riots and violence show the country's deep-seated poverty, injustice, and political unrest. All of this culminates in a simple explanation of why Dominique was so dedicated to trying to make a change. With a nice balance of character development--highlighting Dominique's remarkable spirit--and political background about Haiti and Dominique's impact on its people, THE AGRONOMIST is a superb film. The excellent, dub-heavy soundtrack by Wyclef Jean brings a contemporary edge to the film's events. ON THE VERGE OF A FEVER Director: John L'Ecuyer From: Haiti/Quebec-Canada Year: 2004 Minutes: 88 Language: French with English sub. Genre: Drama Against the backdrop of poverty, fear and the brutal dictatorship of Haiti in 1971, On the Verge of a Fever (Le goût des jeunes filles) is about Fanfan, a 15-year-old boy who just wants to experience life for himself with his streetwise friend Gégé. Having lived a somewhat sheltered life with his protective mother, Fanfan experiences a bizarrely terrifying incident involving a Tonton-Macoute. As a result, he decides to hide out at his beautiful neighbor's house for the weekend. There, he is trapped between his fear of being caught and the fulfilling of his deepest fantasy. Based on the Book Le Gout des Jeunes Filles by famous Haitian novelist Dany Laferriere. Additional Info/Contact:

December 2024