March 15, 2014
Since 1996, the United States has implemented a policy of repatriation of all foreign residents who have been convicted of crimes. As a new life begins for these deportees in an environment that is completely unfamiliar and quite hostile, filmmakers Rachèle Magloire & Chantal Regnault decided to document the stories of Haitian outcasts: the deportees from North America. Winner of the Best Documentary & Human Rights Award at the 29th International Film Festival Vues d’Afrique and at the Festival Régional et International du Cinéma de Guadeloupe, Deported follows the lives of American and Canadian deportees now living in Haiti.
Rachèle traveled from Haiti and Chantal from Paris, as part of our An n’ Pale|Café Conversation series, for the NY Premiere of the film. Haiti Cultural Exchange in collaboration with the Brooklyn Public Library’s Stevan Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture screened the film which was followed by a lively discussion on immigration policy and advocacy with the filmmakers.
“Deportees are generally frowned upon. And at many times, the highest authorities have associated them with waves of crime in the country. It has reinforced the sense that the deported citizens are actively involved in Haiti’s criminal life.” – Rachèle Magloire
Because of sentiments shared by public officials linking deportees to the rise of kidnappings in the early 2000s, the filmmakers credit the Haitian public’s fear with a distorted image of deportees and their needs.
Activist Joceyln McCalla joined the filmmakers to discuss what current efforts are being made to assist this invisible community. Organizations like Alternative Chance/Chans Alternativ are working to bring deportees much needed legal, medical, and rehabilitation assistance.
Watch the trailer HERE.
For more information about the film and an in depth interview with the filmmakers, visit Kreyolicious.com
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