DVD : Ghosts of Cite Soleil |
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Rating:  - * Universal Story of Ghetto Life ... Riveting snapshot of life in the Western Hemisphere's most violent and impoverished ghetto during the last weeks of the Aristide government. On one hand the documentary keeps the audience on the edge of their seat trying to figure out what's going to happen next. But for those who've experienced ghetto life the ending is all too obvious and tragic. Highly Recommended! Rating: - * do not be fooled by appearance ... This "documentary" might seem without proper structure, yet it provides you with all you need to know. Yes, the historical background is not provided in depth, but so what? You expect to learn on this from this movie? Go read a book! You have all the tools you need to judge. I've been watching it alone first, then with a roommate and then with a Haitian. And I rarely see any move more than once. Anyhow, here are the results: personally, I was shattered. My roommate is an idiot. Haitian was not, so we really bonded on this one. I was surprised my roommate (a young, intelligent man in his twenties) could "dis-interprete" the strong message this movie has. Ok, maybe it's this generation z thing or something, but if this is possible, I love this documentary even more. So it is up to you to notice WHO carries guns and who doesn't, who is supposed to help and who doesn't, who expresses very pathological behaviour, who kills, in short, who has the power and who doesn't. There are a lot of people in Cite Soleil struggling to survive and many of them actually do not deal drugs and do not posess guns. Keep that in mind, let the beauty and the charisma of 2Pac not fool you, and you'll be well off. Climb out of gangsta syndrome and see the big picture. Rating:  - * simply propaganda despite some great visuals and musics ... The flm portrays Aristide as the villain and the thugs as heroes. Not honnest documentary filmmaking. Most of the scenes seem staged. Some of the visuals are stunning and I have to say that music is really good. Rating:  - * A good documentary that could have been excellent... ... "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 Rating: - * Insightful, tough to watch but sad and touching ... This is a really great, powerful documentary. If you're looking for a clear narrative or some answers its not the best source. It documents the lives of Haitians living and dying in Cite Soliel. While it really isn't super coherent, it does show the inescapable poverty and cyclical misery that so many Haitians face. |
