By Marie Y. Lemelle
Contributing Writer
HOLLYWOOD — The ninth annual Haiti International Film Festival, a celebration of Haitian culture and narratives, opens its doors Aug. 17 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.
This year’s theme, “Konbit: The Art of Haitians Working Together to Create New Narratives,” describes the spirit of the festival and its featured films. Among these, the documentary “Ayiti Pap Peri,” directed by Cassandre Thrasybule, stands out as a powerful testament to Haiti’s resilience and potential.
Founded by Haitian-American filmmaker Jacquil Constant, Haiti International Film Festival has become a showcase for the culture and history of Haiti through.
“My inspiration to create HIFF stemmed from my visit to [the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou] in Burkina Faso,” Constant said. “I was moved by the power of African cinema and its ability to unite and inspire.”
The Haitian International Film Festival now serves a similar purpose for Haitian cinema, providing a platform for Haitian stories to be told on a global stage.
This year’s festival will feature 21 films, including “Ayiti Pap Peri.” The documentary will be screened on the first day at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre and will be available for virtual viewing on the Eoflix.com platform Aug. 18.
“Ayiti Pap Peri” is a journey into the soul of Haiti. The production, which began in 2019, follows professionals who, after the devastating 2010 earthquake, returned to Haiti to contribute to its reconstruction. The film travels throughout Haiti, capturing the human and economic potential while acknowledging the challenges that have long kept the country in the category of the poorest in the hemisphere.
Thrasybule, born and raised in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is a journalist, director and producer. She uses her sociological expertise to delve into the core issues facing Haiti.
“Through ‘Ayiti Pap Peri,’ I wanted to showcase not just Haiti’s natural beauty, but more importantly, the strength and resilience of its people, which often go unnoticed by the outside world,” Thrasybule said.
The film received the Best Producer Award at the Cannes Arts Festival earlier this year.
“This documentary is the result of four years of dedication, where we captured the essence of Haiti — its challenges, yes, but also its unwavering hope for a better future,” she added.
The title of the film, “Ayiti Pap Peri,” translates to “Haiti Will Not Perish,” a declaration that resonates throughout the film.
“My goal with this film is to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Haiti, a country whose story is far from over despite the hardships it faces,” Thrasybule said.
The film’s narrative is further enriched by the cinematography, which captures the mountains that formed the foundation of Haiti’s original name, Ayiti.
“Ultimately,” Thrasybule said, “I believe in the power of storytelling to ignite change, and ‘Ayiti Pap Peri’ is my contribution to shifting the narrative about Haiti from one of despair to one of possibility and resilience.”
“The Haiti International Film Festival provides a platform for such narratives, showcasing the rich tapestry of Haitian heritage and its influence on art,” Constant said. “With ‘Ayiti Pap Peri’ as a centerpiece, the festival exemplifies the spirit of Konbit, where Haitians work together to create new and empowering narratives.”
For more information about the Haiti International Film Festival, including how to attend and view the films, visit https://www.haitiinternationalfilmfestival.org/.
Marie Y. Lemelle is a freelance journalist for Wave Newspapers.
