Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Publication Date

7-23-2020

Faculty Mentor

Jennifer Fleeger

Abstract

The first known films dealing with Haiti were produced in the 1930s, with full-length Haitian-produced pictures increasing near the end of the century. More Haitian films have emerged, yet most of them focus solely on portraying negative, stereotypical images of voodoo and/or poverty, maintaining stigmas surrounding them. Films like these overshadow other type of Haitian films like dramas, comedies, non-zombie-related thrillers that are more entertaining to Haitian viewers. Just as Haiti itself is left out of academic discussions about Latin American culture and history, the same is true for Haitian cinema within corresponding spaces. Haiti is the first black Latin American nation to gain independence, and pave the way for others but it has yet to be truly recognized. Thus, I believe it would be useful to begin remedying the neglect of Haitian culture by first attending to its cinema. By watching and analyzing many Haitian films, whether Haitian-directed or related, and comparing the use of editing styles and techniques utilized by other famous filmmakers. Haitian cinema works hard to dismantle stereotypes projected by media and other cinemas (i.e. voodoo and poverty). Contrary to popular opinion, Haitian cinema has emerging and established directors whose work is worth considering from an auteur perspective. Having a variance of Haitian films, genres, and storylines similar to western cinemas, Haitian cinema must be included in the canon and regarded as important. May this demand be a call to action in which the Haitian Diaspora comes together and help rebuild, reform, and reconnect to Haiti.

Comments

Presented during the 22nd Annual Summer Fellows Symposium, July 24, 2020 at Ursinus College.

The downloadable file is a slide presentation with audio commentary.

The final project is available here.

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