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The country of Haiti was officially established in 1804, after a slave revolt ousted their French colonizers. At that moment, most of its inhabitants were slaves. After the revolution, Haiti became the first independent nation of Latin America and the first country to abolish slavery. Still, the country has had to deal with financial struggles, international isolation, foreign occupations, political instability, and natural disasters.
This is the country where Raoul Peck was born and raised, and where he returned after fleeing the dictatorship of the Duvaliers. This documentary is a snapshot of only a small aspect of Haiti's struggles, and how external interests have had an effect in the country throughout history.
The documentary is not the best in terms of craft and technique, but it does succeed in presenting the harsh reality of Haiti through a collage of interviews, events, and recollections. Most of the "talking heads" presented are engaging, and they manage to shed light on the classism in the country. Unfortunately, it does seem to lack a bit of focus with the main thesis not being necessarily clear.
Being from Puerto Rico, I'm no stranger to Haiti's struggles, and still there is so much that we don't know about it, and obviously so more that could be done. If there is something that the documentary succeeds, is in showing that there are means to help Haiti, but there is no collective will.
Grade:
PROFIT & NOTHING BUT!
OR IMPOLITE THOUGHTS ON THE CLASS STRUGGLE
(2001, Peck)
A film from Haiti
OR IMPOLITE THOUGHTS ON THE CLASS STRUGGLE
(2001, Peck)
A film from Haiti
"In Haiti, where misery rules on a daily basis, how can we speak about triumphant capitalism? Doesn't mean anything in Haiti."
The country of Haiti was officially established in 1804, after a slave revolt ousted their French colonizers. At that moment, most of its inhabitants were slaves. After the revolution, Haiti became the first independent nation of Latin America and the first country to abolish slavery. Still, the country has had to deal with financial struggles, international isolation, foreign occupations, political instability, and natural disasters.
This is the country where Raoul Peck was born and raised, and where he returned after fleeing the dictatorship of the Duvaliers. This documentary is a snapshot of only a small aspect of Haiti's struggles, and how external interests have had an effect in the country throughout history.
The documentary is not the best in terms of craft and technique, but it does succeed in presenting the harsh reality of Haiti through a collage of interviews, events, and recollections. Most of the "talking heads" presented are engaging, and they manage to shed light on the classism in the country. Unfortunately, it does seem to lack a bit of focus with the main thesis not being necessarily clear.
Being from Puerto Rico, I'm no stranger to Haiti's struggles, and still there is so much that we don't know about it, and obviously so more that could be done. If there is something that the documentary succeeds, is in showing that there are means to help Haiti, but there is no collective will.
Grade: