Product Details

• Directors: Dan Schnorr and Justin Brandon
• Writers: Justin Brandon, Dan Schnorr, Brian McElroy
• Producers: Justin Brandon and Brian McElroy
• Format: NTSC
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: CreateSpace
• DVD Release Date: January 22, 2009
• Run Time: 37 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001QFYJZU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,297 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Road to Fondwa tells the powerful story of a rural Haitian community poised to change the future of Haiti one University student at a time.

When Haiti is not forgotten or ignored, it is seen through a tinted lens. The small, impoverished nation shares an island with the Dominican Republic just 500 miles from the shores of Miami. It is Haiti's proximity that brings it into our national conscience in short, periodic bursts. When a dictator is overthrown, a group of 'boat people' is lost at sea, or a coup is staged, it gets our attention. Reporters rush to the scene, horrific tales are told, and we feel sympathy... or is it pity? And then, as quickly as the news cycle churns, the moment disappears.

From the very beginning of the film, it is clear that The Road to Fondwa does not follow this pattern. The first interview introduces Sandelwi, a farmer and a mystic, who is riding on top of a bus that is speeding around the treacherous curves of the mountainous road to Port-au-Prince, mindless of the precipitous drop to the valley below. 'When you're in Haiti, I consider you Haitian,' he says. 'It's up to us, we have to put our heads together to do development.'

From that point on, there is no turning back. It becomes evident that The Road to Fondwa is not a one-way street, but rather a conduit between two very different, yet intricately connected nations.

This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope on the horizon: A testament to posibility, January 28, 2009

By 

A. M. Starr - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Road to Fondwa (DVD)

I was fortunate to attend a packed San Francisco screening of the "Road to Fondwa" hosted by the documentary's director and producer, Justin Brandon. In his second documentary- Brandon and his team tell the amazing story of a marginalized nation and its people, who, in the face of all calamity have banded together as a community to create their own infrastructure, amplify their own education, and ultimately, to realize their full potential as Haitians and as humans. The word "konbit" in Creole signifies that when we all put our efforts together the work is lighter - it's a sentiment of coming together for a greater purpose. This documentary offers a window into the opportunities of community. It is vibrant, lyrical, poignant and touching. Using his lens as both a kaleidoscope and a paintbrush, Brandon underlines the larger themes of human potentiality. Yes, this film is about Haiti, but so too is it about something much larger, something far more elemental. We have seen how the hyper-connectivity of modernity links us tighter together. John Donne taught us that "no man is an island," and as Americans separated by only the briefest sliver of water from our Haitian brothers, it would be wise to remember that as global citizens we learn a lesson in camaraderie and common purpose that "The Road to Fondwa so eloquently provides. The documentary shows that when we act as one, anything is possible. The only insurmountable adversity is the one we create in our own solitude.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Uplifting Masterpiece That Will Move You to Action, January 28, 2009

By 

Tej Nuthulaganti (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Road to Fondwa (DVD)

This film shows the struggles and triumphs of the town Fondwa, in Haiti, a country only 600 miles from our shores. The directors have done a fantastic job of portraying the stories of Haitians who are doing everything they can to not only get by, but to succeed. After seeing the new school built for the children and the struggles to build roads and housing, you will be moved to action, to stand up for Haiti and help.

I just checked out their website: http://fondwa.org where they have more info.

Great film! Help support Haiti by buying this film and sharing it with your friends!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Missing Link in the Development Discussion, April 11, 2009

By 

Kathleen Smith "Katie Smith" (Notre Dame, IN) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Road to Fondwa (DVD)

I was utterly blown away by The Road to Fondwa. As someone who has worked with both development scholars and filmmakers, I am amazed at the skill of Brandon, Schnorr, and McElroy to bring the statistics of development to life in an engaging story that is visually magnificent. The Road to Fondwa has profoundly impacted my impressions of Haiti and is a true testament to the incredible impact that can be made by a few dedicated individuals. After seeing this film, I contacted the filmmakers to set up a screening and would encourage everyone to do the same!