Wow. I was surprised that I liked this short film as much as I did--it was well worth seeing and is a great example of how good and profound a short can be. While it appears to be a documentary, I think that it is in fact a fictionalized story.
The film is narrated by the main character--a Haitian woman who has come to the United States and is desperately trying to fit in with American culture while also denying her own Creole roots. The problem, however, is that she can't do this--no matter how hard she tries. Part of this is due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as things she sees in everyday life remind her of the pain and violence of life in Haiti. Part of this is also the eventual realization that not everything from her native culture is bad--and much of it should be celebrated.
The reason I scored this film so high is that it really packed a big emotional wallop. At one point, I was tearing up because the film really pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. A wonderful example of direction, writing and acting all coming together perfectly.
The film is narrated by the main character--a Haitian woman who has come to the United States and is desperately trying to fit in with American culture while also denying her own Creole roots. The problem, however, is that she can't do this--no matter how hard she tries. Part of this is due to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as things she sees in everyday life remind her of the pain and violence of life in Haiti. Part of this is also the eventual realization that not everything from her native culture is bad--and much of it should be celebrated.
The reason I scored this film so high is that it really packed a big emotional wallop. At one point, I was tearing up because the film really pulled me in and wouldn't let me go. A wonderful example of direction, writing and acting all coming together perfectly.
