Customer Reviews

Aristide and the Endless Revolution

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This film effectively takes apart the Bush Administration's rationale for supporting the February 2004 coup in which democratically-elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was removed from Haiti in what Aristide describes as "a modern-day coup". This film eschews the false "objectivity" of corporate news (which is careful to avoid anything which might offend the powerful), and it definitely has a point of view: its sympathies lie with the poor majority of Haitians who since their homeland became the first independent black republic in 1804 have repeatedly been screwed by the superpower to the North (see Paul Farmer's excellent history "The Uses of Haiti", the seminal book on the US exploitation of Haiti). The film lets the facts speak for themselves, and lets anti-Aristide hardliners in the Bush Administration like Roger Noriega argue their case for supporting the removal of a constitutional government. The arguments are about as convincing as the various excuses for launching the Iraq war, and an extensive on-camera interview with Aristide (in exile in South Africa)clarifies how the Washington-backed propaganda campaign twisted basic facts and repeated lies while paramilitaries attacked from the Dominican Republic.

Rossier's film vividly chronicles the rise and fall of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haiti's first democratically elected president; from Catholic priest to demagogue; from liberation theologian to cult figure; from populist president to political pariah.

Through even-handed interviews with high-powered supporters and opponents of Aristide, Rossier is able to remain objective. However, recent revelations about the CIA, the Haiti Democracy Project, and the International Republican Institute's involvement in Haitian politics buoy the film's integrity to a level of clairvoyance, helping us understand the events precipitating Aristide's removal from office.

By interweaving Haiti's history throughout the film, Rossier blends context with current events. In the end, we clearly see Haiti as a nation so depleted of resources, it can no longer press for justice in the international arena. The film is a must-see for anyone unfamiliar but intrigued with the process by which the U.S. and other colonial powers have historically maintained control over underdeveloped nations.

Director Nicolas Rossier tells the story of Haiti's struggle for independence in his brilliant feature documentary. Interviews with leaders on both sides of the fence and historical background going back to the French conquest weave a compelling and well-balanced narrative. "ARISTIDE and the Endless Revolution" is a must see for anyone interested in how politics, human rights, and justice can be manipulated and undermined.

I want to highly recommend this film!

Nicolas Rossier et al- thank you for illuminating and clarifying much of what I had no more than a lazy awareness and a vague knowledge about...The suffering in Haiti and our (USA) government's role in it is deplorable. I was moved to tears for all the people of Haiti, and the world, caught in such dire political and economic circumstance at the hands of those with too much power and money already and thanks to your film I will never again view news and reports about Haiti's plight with anything like a comfortable detachment.

I had to go back and watch this documentary by Nicolas Rossier a second time because I realized that he wasn't telling the whole story about the February 29, 2004 U.S. coup and kidnapping of Aristide. What about the story of the U.S. State Department removing Aristide's private guards, who were employees of the Steel Foundation, a San Francisco based contractor? What about the story of U.S. Ambassador James Foley and his deputy Lewis Moreno meeting with Aristide after his guards were gone and telling him that he was unprotected and had to resign immediately or he would be killed? We get a brief comment from Colin Powell denying any wrong-doing, but not the real story.
What about flying Aristide to the Central African Republic, a virtual subsidiary of France, without his knowledge or consent? Congresswoman Maxine Waters is interviewed by Rossier. She flew with Aristide on the plane along with Randall Robinson and jounalists Amy Goodman and Peter Eisner. She knows that it was a coup and kidnapping, but that story is not told by Rossier.
To hear Aristide's account of the coup read Robinson's book "An Unbroken Agony: Haiti From Revolution to the Kidnapping of a President" (2007) and "Getting Haiti Right This Time (The U.S. and the Coup, 2004)" by Noam Chomsky, Paul Farmer and Amy Goodman.
I think Rossier is sympathetic to Aristide's case, but he pulls his punches and leaves out Aristide's strongest arguments. You would never see 60 Minutes do this. It is as if Rossier is trying so hard not to offend either side that the documentary turns into a "he says, he says, pick 'em" story.

When I saw the 'chaos' in the streets in February 2004 in Haiti, I bought into the rhetoric of Canadian and American foreign policy makers that we had a 'Responsibility to Protest'. This film helped dispel all these illusions by revealing many of the pre-existing interests of the intervening powers as well as how they orchestrated the destabilization in the first place in order to provide a pretext for their intervention.

I think this was a timely film which helps shed some light onto how countries like the U.S. and Canada shape domestic politics in other countries in order to lay the groundwork for their interventions - which could shed light onto the they're deploying today in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan, Congo, Venezuela, Cuba and many more countries ...

A must see!

I saw the film twice at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
It is a sweeping history of Haiti that reveals the role of foreign powers in the exploitation and oppression of the Haitian people. Unlike many political documentaries, the filmmaker makes its case with intellectual integrity and conviction. The footage and photography were haunting and there was room for poetry. The film is a sad reminding on how important it is for us to make our leaders accountable. I have seen lots of films about Haiti and I can say that this one is one of the best I have seen along films like Man on the Shore and Bitter Cane. Rossier took the time to uncover the long-suppressed ugly underbelly of the story and thanks to him we have now a better understanding of the tragic events that led to Aristide's ousting. Maybe the scoring choice was not ideal at some parts but some will be happy to recognize the great Orline Titus who's voice vibrates like a saw cutting down an old lifeless tree. One ponders why again. Will the people of Haiti rise up again to stand for their rights. Will they allow the Chimeres of Washington to plot against Preval like they did several times against Ariside. Will Preval be allowed to govern his term and will he be helped by the people of Haiti. Will the international community cancell the outragous debt of the government and let the poor breathe for once. Will France pay back the money it stole to Haiti in 1825. Will the World Bank adopt real sustainable policies towards Haiti? Will Washington adopt one common positive lomg term goal towards Haiti or will Haitians be victims again of the destructive bi-partisan game payed on the Hill since 1915. Rossier's film blends on most of these contentious and crutial issues. A must see film for anybody interested in the fate of the first black republic and beyond. Some details should have been further explored such as why did Kofi Annan (a friend of Aristide) not pressure the security council to send troops before it was too late or why did Aristide not believe that he could counter the rebels...A great start already with this masterpiece...

I am traveling down to Haiti and have been doing extensive research to learn more about the country and its checkered history. I viewed this documentary and found it provided a very detailed assessment of events with explanations of some of the many controversial points regarding Aristide's role in Haitian politics. I believe this film is a must watch for anyone who is learning about Haiti and wants a detailed and independent assessment of the country's recent history. I would love to see more about this topic.

Nothing can tell better the history of Aristide in power in Haiti. And how the international communities have tried to block him and finally to kidnap him. This is a big blow for democracy in poor countries

The film gives officials of the US and France, and others involved in the February 2004 overthrow of Haiti's elected government ample screentime to explain themselves. They end up looking as dishonest and arrogant as their policies have turned out to be. An important film for anyone trying to understand how US foreign policy has gone so wrong.

The film interviews Haiti's President Aristide and many of his supporters as well. It is well-edited with compelling footage.