The Agronomist (2003)

The true story of Jean Dominique, a Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist.

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Stars:

Jean Dominique, Aboudja, Ronald Reagan

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jean Dominique	...	Self
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Aboudja	...	Self
Ronald Reagan	...	Self (archive footage)

Storyline

A profile of Haitian radio journalist and human rights activist, Jean Dominique. It includes: historical footage of Haiti's vivid and tumultuous past; interviews with Dominique, himself and with Michele Montas--his heroic wife, life-long love, and extraordinary partner; and incorporates footage shot before Dominique's assassination on April 3, 2000.

---

Plot Keywords:

human rights | haitian | journalist | radio | 2000s | 

---

Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity

Did You Know?

Quotes

Interviewer Jonathan (In USA): [asked while Jean was in exile in NYC, voice offscreen] Do you have any doubt, Jean, that Radio Haiti will return to the air?
Jean Dominique: Any doubt? Not the shadow of the doubt. Not a shadow. I am sure. I am positive. Jonathan, you cannot kill the truth. You cannot kill justice. You cannot kill what we are fighting for. Participation of the citizens through the community business.

---

Connections

References La Strada (1954)

User Reviews

The heartbreaking truth about Haiti

I spent quite a bit of time in Haiti when I was a child in the late sixties until the last time I went down there when I was in my early 20's, just after Baby Doc left the country. The memories are a combination of the most magical place on earth and the most tragic. I think many people who had contact with Haiti would say the same. The Agronomist is the story of a true Haitian hero and the ultimate price he paid for his passion to inform and enlighten the forgotten masses of people by running the only Creole radio station on the island. The tragedy is so many other well intention Haitians have paid the same price from a series of brutal dictators, who like usual have been supported and backed by other countries like the US and France (where you can see photos of Baby Doc on the ski slopes, while Jean-Bertrand Aristide got dropped in the middle of the Congo by our Compassionate Conservative idiots) The truth of the movie lies in fact then whenever there is a glimpse of hope some external events end up crushing it again and again. The film reminded me of my departed father, who had the guts to bring his family down to a magical place where its beauty is rivaled by its poverty. As a child I played in the streets with all the other children and blew any change I had on soda and chewing gum we would all share. You don't get that experience at Disneyland, thanks dad.

Details

Official Sites:

ThinkFilm (US)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

The Agronomist

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,855, 25 April 2004

Gross USA:

$226,189

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$226,189

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clinica Estetico, HBO/Cinemax Documentary

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1