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Archive for the ‘Film’ Category
02.24.13
HCX | Haiti Film Fest Opening Night
Thursday, May 9, 2013 – 6pm to 12am
DROM 85 Avenue A, East Village Map
Screening of select short films and performance by Emeline Michel and music by DJ Zing. Honoring Frantz Voltaire, Founder of CIDIHCA A for his work in film and archival research. Purchase tickets here!
Emerging Filmmakers Networking Event & Select Short Films
Friday, May 10, 2013 – 6 to 9 pm
FiveMyles Gallery 558 St Johns Place, Brooklyn Map
Screening of select short films and an industry professional mixer.
Sponsored by Prestige Beer and Roulade Catering.
Select Short Film Screenings:
Viter Juste, The Father of Little Haiti (2012, 6 Minutes, English) by Rachelle Salnave
Known as Pere Juste (Father Juste), Viter Juste was a pillar in the Haitian community in South Florida. Father Juste named Little Haiti, a well known neighborhood in Miami, Florida recognized for its enclave of Haitian culture and people. He was instrumental in fighting for the civil rights of Haitian immigrants and contributed to a cultural safe haven for many Haitians who risked their lives to come to America to find freedom.
Night Driver (2011, 20 Minutes, English) by Fritz Celestin
A young man with a unusual job struggles to validate his dreams of becoming a musician. His growing emotions for a beautiful young escort drive him into a dangerous situation where he must make some serious decisions.
FREE HCX | Haiti Film Fest Screenings
Seating is first come, first serve.
Saturday, May 11, 2013 – Noon to 10 pm
St. Francis College 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Map
Noon – 2:00 pm
Zafè Fatra (2012, 8 Minutes, Kreyòl with English subtitles) by Kendy Vérilus
Exclusive New York Premiere
Today’s Haitian youth are so accustomed to fatra (trash) as the backdrop to their daily lives that they can’t even remember clean streets in urban Haiti. A situation frustrating for many citizens, a group of young musicians are using their talent to urge their communities to clean up.
Port-au-Prince, Ma Ville (2000, 57 minutes, Kreyòl & French with English Subtitles) by Rigoberto Lopez
The documentary highlights the problems that undermine Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital: overpopulation, degradation and lack of urban infrastructure. A crossroads of cultures, races and religions, the city occupies a key-role in the history of European expansion in Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas.
Followed by a Q & A with Kendy Vérilus and Frantz Voltaire
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2:00 – 3:30 pm
Madame TiZo (2004, 64 Minutes, Kreyòl and French with English Subtitles) by David Belle
The documentary tells the story of an extraordinary Haitian elder. While taking care of numerous relatives and neighbors who depend upon her, Madame TiZo (Mrs. Little Bones) simultaneously works as a midwife and leaf doctor for an endless stream of men, women and children who find their way to her yard seeking relief from their maladies.
Followed by a Q & A with David Belle
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3:30 – 6:00 pm
Everything Absolutely (2013, 12 Minutes, English) by Natalie Paul and Terence Nance
Director Natalie Paul’s first short film follows a young woman on a simple adventure: a date with a guy. Pam Grier, parents, and pesto all somehow find their way into this intimate journey.
Blackout (2007, 95 Minutes, English) by Jerry LaMothe
Starring Jeffrey Wright, Zoe Saldana, Melvin Van Peebles, and Jamie Hector, the film follows the intertwined lives of neighbors in East Flatbush during the blackout of August 2003. As the sun beats down on the city, things heat up in this story of community and circumstance. Blackout premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and was awarded the Director’s Spotlight Award at the 2007 Urbanworld Vibe Film Festival.
Followed by a Q & A with Natalie Paul and Jerry LaMothe
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6:00 – 8:00 pm
Twa Timoun (2012, 81 Minutes, Kreyòl & French with English Subtitles) by Jonas d’Adesky
Exclusive New York Premiere
This film follows Vitaleme, Pierre, and Mikenson, three 12-years-old best friends who live in a home in Port-au-Prince. Vitaleme is haunted by his memories as a child servant and is obsessed by the idea of freedom. When the town is struck by an earthquake, all three find themselves on the street.
Followed by a Q & A with Jonas d’Adesky
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8:00 – 10:00 pm
M’ale (2009, 20 Minutes, Kreyòl with English Subtitles) by Kishner Deprinvil
A young Haitian man by the name of Gady graduates college with honors expecting to immediately find a job. However, his homeland is infested with rampant corruption in its political and social institutions. With an unexpected turn of events and a wife and daughter on the verge of starvation, Gady resorts to extreme measures with hopes of taking care of his family.
On the Verge of a Fever / Le Goût des Jeunes Filles (2006, 88 Minutes, French with English Subtitles) by John L’Ecuyer based on a novel & screenplay by Dany Lafferière
In 1971 Haiti, 15-year-old Fanfan lives a somewhat sheltered life with his protective mother. Following a terrifying incident involving a Tonton-Macoute, Fanfan hides out at his beautiful neighbor’s house for the weekend.
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FREE HCX | Haiti Film Fest Screenings
Sunday, May 12, 2013 – Noon to 10 pm
St. Francis College 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Map
Noon – 1:00 pm
Suze-Anne (2012, 15 Minutes, Kreyòl with English Subtitles) by Amiral J. C. Gaspard, Ciné Institute
This short tells the story of a love triangle. Suze’s husband has left her for the young and vivacious Anne. Only Anne can help Suze get him back.
Silent Treatment (2012, 9 Minutes) by Martine Jean
In this 1920′s inspired “silent movie”, Loretta catches her husband cheating with another woman and decides to give him “the silent treatment.” Will their love survive his indiscretion?
The Things I See (2011, 10 Minutes, English) by Shirley Bruno
A coming of age drama about an eleven-year-old Matou who pretends to need glasses in order to be “seen.” The eyeglasses get her some attention but her focus begins to shift literally and figuratively. Through the distorted view of the glasses she begins to bear witness to the natural calamities of life.
Followed by a Q & A with Shirley Bruno & Paula Hyppolite
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1:00-3:15pm
Créer Pour Se Recréer / Creating to Re-Create Yourself (2011, 14 Minutes, Kreyòl/French with English Voice Over) by Marie-Denise Douyon
Exclusive New York Premiere
Upon returning to Haiti, internationally acclaimed artist Marie-Denise Douyon was unlawfully detained. This documentary reveals her story, transporting the viewer to a universe, alternately severe, bright, and resounding with emotion.
Wòch Nan Soley/Stones in the Sun (2012, 95 Minutes, Kreyòl, French & English with English Subtitles) by Patricia Benoit
In the midst of increasing political violence, a young couple, two sisters, and a father and son are driven from Haiti to New York, where they must confront the truths of their interlocked pasts. The film won Best Feature at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival.
Followed by a Q & A with Patricia Benoit
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3:15 – 5:00 pm
Et Après (2010, 12 Minutes) by Maksaens Denis
Exclusive New York Premiere
In this experimental film, the strangeness of a half-standing city is captured through scenes of the seemingly endless destruction in Port-au-Prince following the 2010 earthquake.
Broken Stones (2012, 61 Minutes, Kreyòl, French & English with English Subtitles) by Guetty Felin
This documentary takes a look at the oldest neighborhood of Port-au-Prince and the most devastated by the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The film follows the lives of people moving through the maze of the vestige that was once the Notre Dame de l’Assumption which had become an amphitheater & surreal witness of the living conditions of Haitians in the area.
Followed by a Q & A with Maksaens Denis & Guetty Felin
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5:00 – 6: 45 pm
Anita (2012, 15 Minutes, Kreyòl with English Subtitles) by Ricardo Tranquilin, Ciné Institute
Victor, a peasant, is jealous of the daughter of his brother Samson because she is going to become a doctor. As a result, he kills her with poison. Samson looks for justice, but not finding it among men, he calls on the Gods to speak the truth.
Plezi Gede Credit (2012, 6 Minutes) by Romel Jean-Pierre
Exclusive New York Premiere
This experimental piece set in Haiti, fuses performance art and vodou practice into a rhythmic and entrancing film.
Anita (1981, 45 Minutes, Kreyòl with English Subtitles) by Rassoul Labuchin
Young Anita’s life consists of working as a servant to a wealthy family, leaving her little time for anything else. Her servitude (which some would call slavery) provides an insight into a frighteningly common experience for children in Haiti.
Followed by a Q & A with Romel Jean-Pierre & Rassoul Labuchin
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6:45 – 10:00 pm
Toussaint Louverture (2012, 180 Minutes, Kreyòl & French with English Subtitles) by Philippe Niang
This historical dramatization follows Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture who led the first successful slave revolt in world history. Beautifully shot and fraught with intense action, it won Best Film, Audience Choice Award, and Best Actor at the 20th Pan African Film Festival as well as Best Diaspora Feature at the 2012 African Movie Academy Awards.
Posted in Events, Film, HCX Programs, Uncategorized, Weekend | 1 Comment »
02.22.13
On Saturday April 6th, FiveMyles Gallery was buzzing with anticipation for the screening of Arnold Antonin’s Le President a-t-il le SIDA? which is the second free screening leading up to HCX | Haiti Film Fest 2013, May 9 – 12. Dao (played by Jimmy Jean-Louis) is a popular musician leading a life full of sex and drugs. His life changes when he meets 23 year old Nina (Jessica Généus) and falls in love. Everything changes when Dao learns he has contracted HIV.
After the film, HCX hosted a talkback with actor Jimmy Jean-Louis. He shared his experiences working in the film industry, particularly working on politically themed movies such as Toussaint L’Ouverture and Moloch Tropical and what that meant to him as a Haitian actor. Jean-Louis answered questions about issues inside of the Haitian film industry and cited the need for more cinemas in Haiti. He also stated that consumer awareness of the impact of piracy is key to helping the industry grow. Jean-Louis discussed his work founding and running Hollywood Unites for Haiti and the issues that face Haiti as the country receives aid from foreign NGOs. The audience was also treated to a sneak peek of his new project, Ogou, Le Revenant directed by Bruno Mourral!
Click here for an exclusive recap of the conversation with Jimmy Jean-Louis, written by Tequila Minsky for Caribbean Life.
Click here to watch clips of the evening’s conversation, special thanks to Vania Andre at Amour Creole.
Click here to view more pictures of the event!
Be sure to make it out to the last HCX | Haiti Film Fest Pre-season Screening of Kaleb coming up on April 21st in Queens.
Posted in Archive, Events, Film, HCX Programs, Uncategorized, Weekend | No Comments »
02.19.13
On the chilly…ok, bitter cold Saturday afternoon of January 26th, 40 people trekked out to FiveMyles Gallery in Crown Heights, Brooklyn to watch Les Amours d’un Zombi, a film by well-known Haitian filmmaker Arnold Antonin that follows the story of a young taxi driver named Zéphyrin (Ricardo Lefèvre) who falls in love with the young bride Swamen (Caroline Pierre). Swamen, sadly, is married to an old farmer. Caught in the “act”, the naughty cabby flees leaving his woman behind. Three days later, Zéphyrin dies and is revived as a zombi for hire for the local ougan.
Unable to return to his love, Zéphyrin toils away. The love story goes on; the zombi, no longer able to keep his emotions hosts a press conference broadcasting his love for Swamen and asking her to return to him. Linking with a reporter (Gessica Geneus), Zéphyrin searches high and low for his love. His movements do not go unnoticed as politicians begin to exploit the zombi’s new media attention.
As this was my first time watching this film, I was struck by the use of theme and emotion in this tale of love and deception. Light-hearted and humorous, it looked like the mixed Haitian and non-Haitian audience enjoyed the film. Antonin straddled the line of political commentary and entertaining plot line in a way that didn’t make it all seem like long form propaganda. What really made Les Amours a strong film was the way it made plot twists seem so natural; the critiques made of the Haitian media and political machine worked well in accentuating the central story of love. These ideas worked together to emphasize the deep importance of agency.
All in all, it was a great matinee film that left us chatty but contemplative. The kettle corn and coffee was a big plus as well. Mmmm…
Definitely looking forward to the next HCX | Haiti Film Fest Pre-season Screening of Kaleb by young Haitian-American filmmaker Kervans Barthelemy in Queens!
For those of you who couldn’t make it out to see Les Amours d’un Zombi, this film and other films are available for purchase at HCX events or online at ArnoldAntoninFilms.com.
And remember to SAVE the DATE: 2013 HCX| Haiti Film Fest, May 10-12!
Posted in Archive, Film, HCX Programs, Uncategorized, Weekend | No Comments »
03.26.12
Check out this open studio and benefit event at Deceus Art Studio. The project will include an exhibition featuring new work and a screening of This Side of Forever, a video documentary featuring Haitian earthquake survivors, in collaboration with Haitian filmmaker Anthony Calypso, artist John Bylander, and Francks F. Deceus. This event will also be raising awareness and funds for non-profit organizations working in Haiti.
There will also be a special art sale (discounts of 15% to 40% off) to help raise the necessary funds to facilitate the trip to Haiti and production of the documentary.
Posted in Arts, Benefit, Events, Exhibitions, Film | No Comments »