Product Details

• Actors: Winson Jean, Wyclef Jean, James 'Bily' Petit Frere, Eleonore 'Lele' Senlis
• Directors: Asger Leth
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English, French
• Subtitles: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Image/Thinkfilms
• DVD Release Date: May 10, 2006
• Run Time: 85 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000TLMWNI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,763 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Ghost of Cite Soleil" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

The reality of life today in haiti unfolds before us as we get to know two brothers & their stories intimately. They are 2pac & bily hatian gang leaders who strive to make better choices in a world with no choices at all. Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 11/20/2007 Run time: 85 minutes Rating: Ur

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good documentary that could have been excellent..., March 21, 2008

By 

M. B. Alcat "Curiosity killed the cat, but sa... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost of Cite Soleil (DVD)

"Ghosts of Cite Soleil" is a good documentary that could have been excellent, if its directors had chosen to dedicate some time to provide the spectator with a better context regarding what was happening in Haiti at the time this film was made, 2004. Without it, we "see" what was happening during Haiti's civil war through the eyes of two gang leaders who took active part in it, but we don't really understand what is going on, or why.

That doesn't mean this documentary is not worth watching, as it gives you an idea of what the lives of the people who lived in the slum of Cité Soleil were like, and the few choices they had in order to stay alive. Become a chimere (or "ghost") and be a part of the gang or die, kill or be killed. Furthermore, "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" prompts you to find out on your own what it doesn't give you, that is, at least a little more information regarding the historical, political, social and economic roots of the deep unrest we witness throughout the film.

On the whole, I can say that "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" portrays a shocking and violent reality in a crude but effective way. I recommend this documentary, but with some reservations: it is not perfect, and it is certainly not for the weak of heart.

Belen Alcat

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Real Life Drama, December 17, 2007

By 

aikanae (scottsdale, az) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghost of Cite Soleil (DVD)

This movie was obviously not a scripted documentary and seemed more like a personal, intimate video journal, shot in a tough, third world city where residents needed to survive however they could.

But as the other reviewers pointed out, this movie had a heavy, yet subtle bias. The film never mentioned the source for the financial backing behind the return of the opposition army, the propoganda surrounding Haiti's civil war or the documentation showing U.S.A. and France were were involved prior to their "peace-keeping" activities. They movie misses the bloodbath following unseating an elected leader in favor of returning a dictator. But that has also become such a common script for U.S. foreign affairs since WWII, that it's not very hard to spot anymore.

Complicated? Yes. And that's why this movie is so worthwhile seeing. Despite the obvious bias, the movie was shot through the eyes of people fighting for their elected leader and the viewer is pulled into their personal dilemnas and can't help identifing with their desires. The armed gangs that exist in Haiti are gradually revealed weren't about personal power as much as they were born out of a need for survival, a sense of order - and strangley, a quest for peace. That story became the real intrique of the movie for me. It didn't seem to matter who lead the country as long as violence created more violence.

If the movie had added even one line giving it a more objective context, I wouldn't hesitate to give it 5 stars. I found the subtitles were easy to follow since over half the movie was in broken english. The story moved along quickly without any dull moments. All the characters were believable since they were real and engaging. But what impressed me was the fact I wanted to watch it again, soon. That's a rarity for me and I'm sure I'll see even more into it next time.

Even with a bias. I have a hard time believing anyone could sit mindlessly through this movie and not feel like they watched a unique movie with a lot to think about afterwards. For those reasons, I gave the rest of the movie the highest marks possible. It's a must-see movie.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Out of context, January 10, 2009

By 

C. Biewald (CMB 617) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost of Cite Soleil (DVD)

Cite Soleil is an important movie to see and understand, if it is kept in context. The film portrays conditions that are real and are not well understood throughout most of the developed world. It gives criminals and gangsters a real face, and lets the world see that it is truly the conditions of Cite Soliel, the abject poverty and decimating hunger that offer no path to real success, or even real happiness. The footage is excellent and shockingly powerful. With fitting music, the cinematic features of the film stand out.

The picture is however, dangerous. It is a twisted misrepresentation of the situation in Haiti. The film makers bias and agenda are clear. Each and every press voice over are the standard right wing propaganda that have been proven false countless times in recent literature on the subject. Without a real understanding of the situation, the vast popular support for Aristide, the United States support of the violent and oppressive Haitian military and undermining of the legitimate government, and Billy and 2pac's loud mouth and bragging about a "relationship" with Aristide, the worry is that people who pick up this film will come away without any understanding of recent Haitian history will be completely ignorant to what the U.S. role and responsibility toward Haiti should be.