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I must say this is shaping up to be quite an attractive, compelling project that we'll be watching closely in 2013, given the talent involved, both in front and behind the camera, as well as the subject matter/story that will be told. I'm definitey high on this, and look forward to see what develops eventually. We've learned that, in addition to the already cast Jimmy Jean-Louis, Jamie Hector and S Epatha Merkerson, Garcelle Beauvais, Edwidge Danticat and French actress Stana Roumillac, star of Mariette Monpierre's critically-acclaimed Guadalupean drama Elza (which played in New York earlier this month), are all in talks to join...

If you live in NYC, I cannot encourage you enough to go check out this film before it leaves! Mariette Monpierre's debut feature film Elza made its U.S. theatrical debut in NYC, late last month, as one of the first 2 films to open the brand new cinemas at Mist Harlem. And it's on its way out, so see it before it's gone, New Yorkers! Based on the real-life experiences of the filmmaker and the growing issue of African American and Caribbean children who are estranged from their fathers, writer/director Mariette Monpierre’s feature film debut is a tale of hope, family and acceptance. Elza (Stana Roumillac), a...

Elza opens in a limited theatrical run this weekend, in NYC at Mist Harlem Cinemas; here's a repost of our interview with the film's star, done over the summer. French actress Stana Roumillac commanded the big screen in her leading feature film debut Elza. The 2011 French-Goudalupean production screened at the American Black Film Festival a little over a week ago (see my review of the superbly acted, touching tale Here). Roumillac was born in Guyana and grew up in Cayenne, where she attended a dance conservatory for 10 years. From a young age, she was passionate about modern dance and classical musical. She arrived in Paris at the age of 17, where she switched her...

We’ve certainly been profiling filmmaker Mariette Monpierre’s touching and beautiful feature film debut, Elza, for some time now and which makes its theatrical premiere soon at the New York City Mist Harlem Cinema, through Autonomous Entertainment and will hopefully expand to other cities after that. The first feature film ever to be made in Guadeloupe, the film revolves around a young woman Elza (wonderfully played by Stana Roumillac) who after graduating from college is compelled by her unresolved issues to go to Guadeloupe to meet her father who she barely knows. What transpires both emotionally and story-wise, is totally expected for both Elza and for everyone else. ...

We previously announced this news last month, as part of a longer post about the upcoming opening of Mist Harlem Cinemas, where the film will make its Us theatrical premiere on Friday, October 12. But here's the official press release with more info (Vanessa reviewed it enthusiastically Here; also check out Vanessa's interview with actress and star of the film, Stana Roumillac, Here; trailer underneath; the film will also screen at the Urbanworld Film Festival which begins next week): New York, NY (September 10, 2012) -- Based on the real-life experiences of the filmmaker and the growing issue of African American and Caribbean children who are estranged from...

French actress Stana Roumillac commanded the big screen in her leading feature film debut Elza. The 2011 French-Goudalupean production screened at the American Black Film Festival a little over a week ago (see my review of the superbly acted, touching tale Here). Roumillac was born in Guyana and grew up in Cayenne, where she attended a dance conservatory for 10 years. From a young age, she was passionate about modern dance and classical musical. She arrived in Paris at the age of 17, where she switched her focus to law school. However, due to her love and aptitude for artistic expression, Roumillac enrolled in several drama workshops. The actress admits that it is difficult...

Elza (Le Bonheur d’Elza “Elza’s Happiness”), the first narrative film by Mariette Montpierre and the first directing effort ever by a Guadeloupean, was inspired by Montpierre’s personal accounts of searching for her biological father back in her native West Indies. Elza, living in Paris with her mother Bernadette (played by director Montpierre) is celebrating completing her Master’s degree. But the successful young woman (played by the lovely Stana Roumillac), has never come to terms with her sense of identity. Her biological father, whom she barely remembers, is back in her hometown of Guadeloupe tending to another family. He abandoned them when...