Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Absolutely Fantastic

A Disappointing Continuation

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Jean Dominique might have been just another impressionable and hard-working radio personality/journalist in Haiti had it not been for the fact that the country was, and more than likely still is, caught in the quagmire of political unrest and violence always in the air. Because of repression, of military coups, of democracy becoming like something of an inside joke in countries outside of Haiti (the US saying they would give aid on one hand while on the other the CIA making sure the military dictators stood in reign), Dominique had no choice as a voice of reason for some semblance of order to reach the people. Free speech is a big theme running throughout The Agonomist, probably the most politically charged film Jonathan Demme has ever made (and second only to Philadelphia, for its time period, as being the most timely), as the independently run Haiti radio station becomes like a battered wife, sustaining lots of bullet-holes on its exterior, occasionally with some of its workers being thrown in jail or the equipment being destroyed, depending on who's suddenly taken control of the country.So that's one side that makes the film compelling, is the whole facet of the power of some voice reaching the people, of ideas being stirred by more than just simplistic entertainment as opposed to the run-of-the-mill tactics of the Haitian government(s) at their worst, which is to keep them shut out and afraid. You can tell the bitterness through Dominique's dark sarcasm interviewed while in quasi-exile in the early 90s. But there's another side to Dominique's saga that makes him such an important figure, and such a worthy subject for Demme, which is that before free speech can even really be seen as something permanent there has to be stability, some real sense of hope, that there can be trust in those in power to not be like rough-and-tough Stalinists and give the people a real say. One sees however, and this is what adds to its timeliness given the state of Iraq, is the fragility of democracy in a country where power by militaristic means is the easy route. Aristide is, for quite a few years, seen as a figure-head of peace and leadership, and one of the key struggles was his reinstatement in the country as the president.But then one sees little by little the cracks showing (there's a great scene with an audio interview with Dominique asking tough questions to Aristide), corruption within the folds of the government, and soon enough it starts all over again- with harsher results for Dominique, who continued to stand up against just as sinister (if not more insidious) a threat than militaristic dominance: corporations. Demme's approach to telling this story is important because he keeps Dominique as such a smart, amusing but critical force in his interview segments that the storytelling has to come back around to him, as someone who is an outsider to the social unrest but embedded in giving some spirit through his speech. In a sense it's a very bleak film, where there is no answer given to what will come of the Haitian people, the peasants who have tried to flee the country, or are beaten down or killed, or who sometimes do revolt, and there's still no way to know if there can be democracy.Yet it is positive- and thanks to Wyclef Jean's surprising score energetic- about the possibilities of charging up a national consciousness; without Dominique and radio Haiti when it was on it is questionable whether or not it would've made a difference as far as historical changes to the infrastructure, yet there was a presence, some kind of critic ala philosophers in Greece who could say 'hold on, what the hell is going on?' It's absorbing documentary film-making all the way.

Haitian agronomist turned civil rights activist with a perilous base, a radio station lost several times to violence, Jean Dominique paid the ultimate price for his unwavering dedication to the ideals of democracy, free speech and an open and uncensored press. He was shot dead outside his radio station, Radio Haiti, by persons still unknown but it wasn't a robbery. It was a final attempt to silence a man revered by countless thousands of his fellow Haitians, especially the poor and dispossessed.Director Jonathan Demme provides much interview footage of Dominique in this ninety-minute documentary. His American-educated widow, Michele, (Homecoming Queen at the University of Maine, participant in the Vietnam-era Columbia riots) was also his partner in the radio station which she now runs.Dominique was born into a comfortable family which in Haiti meant they either worked with the corrupt administration of the day or didn't oppose it. His father inspired nationalistic feelings in the young man who went off to France, as many well-off Haitians did and do, to study. In the interviews, his words are frequently punctuated with a sardonic laugh undoubtedly cultivated in the cafes of Paris.Dominique never gave quarter to "Papa Doc" Duvalier, his idiot son and successor or to Aristide and the military junta that alternated with the now again deposed priest/president.Articulate and fascinating, Dominique had to know he was in mortal peril virtually every day other than the two brief exile periods in New York (where he and Michele wed). Although he both found sanctuary in America and disliked U.S. foreign policy, especially after Reagan succeeded Carter, his ideological values reflect the best ideals of this country. American involvement with and in Haiti do not.Interspersed with the interviews of Dominique and Michele are scenes of near anarchy and brutal violence in the incredibly poor country as well as shots of rituals reflecting the nativist tradition of a largely neglected rural class.I would have passed this film by but for the recommendation of a colleague who used to travel to Haiti decades ago. I'm grateful to him for an eye-opening and deeply disturbing peek into a cauldron whose temperature continues above the social and political boiling point.At the end of the film Michele is seen broadcasting from the station reporting that her murdered husband is alive and still campaigning for the values for which he died. It's not tongue-in-cheek, it's a moving legacy to a man who states in the film that democratic ideals of freedom can't be killed. He was right but he certainly could be and he paid the price for his lifelong heroism.9/10

One of the most important films of this era. A life lived with complete integrity and service to his community of the people of Haiti with passion and great courage. Everyone should see this movie and show it to their children as they enter adolescence. Dominigue is a model of courage whose life stood for something greater than his own personal agrandizement. He saw the greatness of each human spirit and brought that forward no matter the cost. Jonathan Demme had to know that Dominique's life was constantly in danger as he made the film and the film was made with the passion that Dominique himself would have sanctioned and in fact must have done so or the film could not have been made. I will own a copy of the DVD when it comes out to show to the young people I work with in the schools in the poorest areas of this New York City.

I saw Jonathan Demme's documentary at Cinequest 2004 last night. Wound up in the front row of a small theater (and for a film with subtitles, I *REALLY* advise against this), but I still am very glad I caught the film.Demme has taken some interesting side trips from his Hollywood career. Quite the "maverick" a phrase that Cinequest likes to tout. I sure would like to come across some old episodes of "Live from Off Center" as an example. I have seen Demme's Spaulding Grey (RIP), Talking Heads and bits of his Robyn Hitchcock documentaries...The object of his latest documentary, Jean Dominique radiates charisma. This is amplified by clever repeat cutting at times (Dominique sniffing trouble in the wind, Dominique mouthing the machine gun rat-a-tat-tat of soldiers shooting at the radio station he ran in Haiti, Dominique emulating creole non-verbal utterings yet laced with meaning.)Dominique's exuberance may put some off, as his flair runs towards flamboyance; however for me it simply made for a very engaging hour and a half. In addition to interviews with Dominique directly, we are also treated to footage from his earlier attempt at a career in film. Footage of the mud ritual at Saut d'Eau was spellbinding for me. Other sadly familiar shots of violent rampaging on the streets of Haiti are kept mercifully minimal, but strong enough to disturb the viewer.And indeed, we should be disturbed. The details of Dominique's efforts are sadly all too lacking. We get a cursory indictment of an American cowboy president, "you know him?" Dominique questions with a grin. An alignment with peasants in the outlying areas and Dominique is shown and supported. I was confused by problems importing ethanol as a beverage, versus the locally produced clairin. (I've since learned that some people and senators, drink ethanol straight without gasoline mixed in).There is an all-too-short radio interview with Aristide (who as of this writing has recently been removed again from power in Haiti).We sense Dominique's aggravation with the situation, but never come near what he would propose as a solution. There are blanket statements against say the bourgeoisie that made me curious. How large is said class? Is not Dominique a member of it? Maybe as a reporter he attempted to never cross that imaginary line of subjective versus objective reporting? That does not seem likely. I wish we had seen and heard more from him (and that interview with Aristide, and one with Charlie Rose, etc...)Perhaps Demme meant this strictly as an homage to a man and his family. His wife and daughter and sister all add interesting anecdotes to the film. Or maybe Demme just offered this to spur further interest in Haiti. I do not know enough, I remain stupefied that the Dominican Republic can share an island with Haiti but not share the strife. And thanks to this film, I did some poking around and learned about the story of Mackandal. Amazing!Ultimately for me, the film certainly did insure the importance of a free press.....and radio and internet and other public media. I was buoyed by Dominique's grin and general enthusiasm, despite the grim history of Haiti. The way he seemed to feed off his outrage and not be overcome by it was fascinating to me.Both form and certainly content garner a 7/10