The Agronomist (2003)

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

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

Genai Corban (script revisions)

Stars:

Jean Dominique, Aboudja, Ronald Reagan

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Jean Dominique	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Aboudja	...	Himself
Ronald Reagan	...	Himself (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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violent images and brief nudity

Details

Official Sites:

ThinkFilm (US)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 2004 (France)

Also Known As:

Jean Dominique, the Agronomist

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$30,855, 25 April 2004, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$226,189, 27 June 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clinica Estetico,HBO/Cinemax Documentary

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

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.

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Connections

References La Strada (1954)

User Reviews

Viva Dominique

First of all, I thank Mr. Demme for making a film about this extraordinary man. Jean Dominique, needless to say, is someone to admire and learn from. He reminds me of José F. Peña Gómez, a Dominican of Haitian descent, who also took to the airwaves (circa 1965) and became an exemplary patriot.

In response to a comment about why the Dominican Republic has relatively stood idle throughout Haiti's ongoing strife, it should be noted that DR sadly has its own ills to tend as well. The island of Hispaniola it's one with two different nations, cultures and languages, a notorious legacy of the tug-of-war between former colonial powers. But like Haiti, it is another victim of many of the same demons that to various degrees afflict much of Latin America.

I must admit with much shame that even as a Dominican, only during my residence here in the far-flung region of New York rather than back home in Santo Domingo have I befriended fellow Haitians and came to know more about their culture. Learning about a Haitian luminary such as Mr. Dominique has thus been a treasure.

It saddens me deeply how most media outlets to date do scant coverage about what's happening in Haiti and elsewhere with little mention, if any at all, about the feats of Jean Dominique and how his assassins have yet been brought to justice. These and many more reasons make The Agronomist a must-see documentary. In this ever more jaded, cynical world, it's inspiring and much of a solace to find people like Jean Dominique amidst the disheartening and overbearing blanket of corruption and complacency.