January Film: The Agronomist
In honor of the crisis in Haiti, I think it's important that people understand a little about the history of the country. This is a great doc about a Haitian activist, radio journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique that should give us all a better idea of the colorful past of this impoverished country that has for so long been riddled with political turmoil. You can watch this film online at Netflix here:
http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The_Agronomist/60037327
Rent if from Blockbuster herel.
Buy it from Amazon here.
Or borrow it from your local library.
As always - watch, enjoy, discuss!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Scott Stead on -
I signed up to be a screener for Silverdocs and one of the requirements was to write a review of two recent films I've seen. So I took a crack at this one. I figured it fit the forum so yeah...here's my take on The Agronomist.
Jonathan Demme immortalizes Haitain radio journalist and activist Jean Dominique, a man assassinated in 2000 for being a voice of hope and dissent in politically tumultuous Haiti. The juxtaposition of Dominique’s character, his life and love for his country, and his vibrant personality against the backdrop of political unrest make for a beautiful film demonstrating just how much of a difference one man can make. Demme provides a historical backdrop for both Dominique and his country with archival footage and anecdotes from Dominique’s life as told by himself, his wife, and his sisters. His father instills in him at the age of four that this is not to be forgotten as he’s told to turn his eyes from passing US Marines that he otherwise might have esteemed. His father wanted him to always remember that he was a Haitain and that neither his country nor his mind were ever to be occupied. Dominique’s words and laughter resound throughout the film. “They try everything to drain us”, he says in a radio recording, his spirited voice carrying his message to the Haitian people and through Demme to us. The other hugely important part of Dominique’s life is his relationship with his wife. She is his partner in marriage as well as in the fight for a free Haiti. While she is not the focus of the film she stands out as being the singular largest supporting force in Jean’s life. Interviews of the two are broken up by shots of violence, Radio Haiti being riddled with bullets, streets filled with an armed militia and widespread poverty. Much like in his life, Jean Dominique drives on in the film with this message, “You cannot kill truth. You cannot kill justice. Participation…you cannot kill.” And just like that, despite his death, he lives on in his words, through his wife, with this film.
About
© 2010 Created by Scott Stead on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
