I saw Jonathan Demme's documentary at Cinequest 2004 last night. Wound up in the front row of a small theater (and for a film with subtitles, I *REALLY* advise against this), but I still am very glad I caught the film.
Demme has taken some interesting side trips from his Hollywood career. Quite the "maverick" a phrase that Cinequest likes to tout. I sure would like to come across some old episodes of "Live from Off Center" as an example. I have seen Demme's Spaulding Grey (RIP), Talking Heads and bits of his Robyn Hitchcock documentaries...
The object of his latest documentary, Jean Dominique radiates charisma. This is amplified by clever repeat cutting at times (Dominique sniffing trouble in the wind, Dominique mouthing the machine gun rat-a-tat-tat of soldiers shooting at the radio station he ran in Haiti, Dominique emulating creole non-verbal utterings yet laced with meaning.)
Dominique's exuberance may put some off, as his flair runs towards flamboyance; however for me it simply made for a very engaging hour and a half. In addition to interviews with Dominique directly, we are also treated to footage from his earlier attempt at a career in film. Footage of the mud ritual at Saut d'Eau was spellbinding for me. Other sadly familiar shots of violent rampaging on the streets of Haiti are kept mercifully minimal, but strong enough to disturb the viewer.
And indeed, we should be disturbed. The details of Dominique's efforts are sadly all too lacking. We get a cursory indictment of an American cowboy president, "you know him?" Dominique questions with a grin. An alignment with peasants in the outlying areas and Dominique is shown and supported. I was confused by problems importing ethanol as a beverage, versus the locally produced clairin. (I've since learned that some people and senators, drink ethanol straight without gasoline mixed in).
There is an all-too-short radio interview with Aristide (who as of this writing has recently been removed again from power in Haiti).
We sense Dominique's aggravation with the situation, but never come near what he would propose as a solution. There are blanket statements against say the bourgeoisie that made me curious. How large is said class? Is not Dominique a member of it? Maybe as a reporter he attempted to never cross that imaginary line of subjective versus objective reporting? That does not seem likely. I wish we had seen and heard more from him (and that interview with Aristide, and one with Charlie Rose, etc...)
Perhaps Demme meant this strictly as an homage to a man and his family. His wife and daughter and sister all add interesting anecdotes to the film. Or maybe Demme just offered this to spur further interest in Haiti. I do not know enough, I remain stupefied that the Dominican Republic can share an island with Haiti but not share the strife. And thanks to this film, I did some poking around and learned about the story of Mackandal. Amazing!
Ultimately for me, the film certainly did insure the importance of a free press.....and radio and internet and other public media. I was buoyed by Dominique's grin and general enthusiasm, despite the grim history of Haiti. The way he seemed to feed off his outrage and not be overcome by it was fascinating to me.
Both form and certainly content garner a
7/10
