Ayiti Mon Amour

Notable as the first (and only) Haitian production submitted in the Academy Award competition for Best Foreign Language Film, Guetty Felin’s drama combines neorealism with mysticism in a tale that touches on the Caribbean nation’s challenges and resilience. Set in a fishing village in 2015, five years after the devastating earthquake that destroyed much of the island, the film is divided into three stories. The first involves young Orphee (Felin’s son Joakim Cohen), who mourns the death of his father and is treated as an outcast by many in his community. One day, he discovers he has a hitherto unknown superpower—but using that power also means recognizing a new sense of mature responsibility. The second story involves the efforts of the elderly fisherman Jaures (Jaures Andris), who believes that the only cure for his ailing wife Odessa (Judith Jeudy) can be harvested from offshore waters. The third focuses on a would-be writer (James Noel) who creates a beautiful central character (Anisia Uzeyman) who comes to life and decides that she wants to pursue her own existence independent of his writing. Despite working on an obvious low budget, Felin has helmed a fine film that channels Haiti’s indefatigable spirit. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)