Actor Joberde Metellus in new play.

Actor Joberde Metellus currently appears in Shakespeare's 'Corionalus' in the role of Aedile, a Volscian soldier and a Roman citizen. The play is described as  "post-apocalyptic 'Mad Max' dystopian telling of Shaekspeare's dynamic tale of the famous war hero's fall from grace. The people of Rome are starving, and threats of mutiny abound as a foreign army threatens to invade. The elder statesmen seek to appease the populace through political maneuvering while calling upon their greatest war hero to defend against the enemy army. Caius Marcius Coriolanus wins the battle on the field, but finds that winning the people's affection is a much more difficult task, and the world of politics can be deadlier than the world of war."

 Joberde has appeared in television shows 'Deadliest Warrior' and 'Lost Tapes.' Most recently, he played the role of Teofilo Stevenson in ESPN's '30 for 30' (Ali v. Stevenson). In his ow words, Joberde describes his passion for acting being ignited while watching "his father, a pastor, give speeches and sermons, and admiring his father's ability to move a crowd." The young actor is fluent in Creole as well, so tout sineas Ayisyen ki bezwen yon bo gason, byen kanpe, bon akte pou fim yo, cheke Joberde!  

 

Shakespeare's Coriolanus runs through August 16th at the Archway Studio Theater in Los Angeles. More info and ticket purchase ------->  HERE

*Photos courtesy of Archway Studio/Theatre Facebook.

'The Uncondemned'

Pierre-Richard Prosper

Pierre-Richard Prosper, son of Haitian immigrants, brilliant lawyer and activist, was instrumental in persuading the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to classify rape as a war crime. Prosper prosecuted and won the first genocide trial before that court in 1998 and made history with the court's acknowledgment that sexual violence constituted genocide. Before this ruling, the rape of women and girls went unpunished. Nearly half a million women and girls were systematically raped during the war but these atrocities were seen as collateral damage. Prosper argued that in fact, rape was part of a plan to ensure that these women would never procreate, therefore it was not just a component of the war, it was genocide. 

'The Uncondemned' is a documentary that chronicles Prosper and his co-counsel Sarah Darehshori's fight to bring these rapists to justice and prosecute them as war criminals. In the film, Prosper recounts putting the case together and presenting it to the tribunal. He returns to Rwanda to speak to those brave victims who testified about their rapes. Filmmakers Michelle Mitchel and Nick Louvel raised money via Kickstarter in 2013 to make and distribute the film. 'The Uncondemned' will be released in early 2015. 

 Check out the trailer, click HERE

*Photos via Inner City Press and Film at 11.

"Le Vrai Amour d'un Caco"

"Le Vrai Amour d'un Caco" un film d'animation réalisé par Jean Marie L'Amour, sera au grand ecran ce Samedi 26 Juillet au Cinema du Parc a Montreal.

The films tells the tale of the "guerre des Cacos", a little known piece of Haitian history. During World War II, Haiti was in the midst of yet another American occupation. Under the guise of the Monroe doctrine, the U.S. occupied Haiti in 1915. A small group of Haitian farmers put up a fight and refused to allow a takeover of their land which would've been used as a banana plantation. Many Haitians fought the occupation which resulted in thousands of deaths, including the death of Charlemagne Peralte.

Le synopsis du film "Le Vrai Amour d'un Caco" explique tout: "Caracole Haïti 1912. Montreuil, un père de famille patriote décide de partir à la guerre avec les Cacos. N'étant pas sûr de sa survie, il laisse tous ses biens, ainsi que sa femme et ses enfants à son ami Claudius. Vint l'occupation américaine de 1915 et la vie n'était plus ce à quoi on s'attendait..."

Avec: Nadege Telfort, Rose-Esther Guignard, Marcus Darbouze, Wilbert Odestin, Claudy Alcenat.

Watch the trailer --------------> HERE.

Project Greenlight is back!

Project Greenlight is back! It's been almost 10 years since Project Greenlight was canceled. Produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the show is a competition among budding filmmakers with the winner getting the opportunity to direct a feature film. Basically, filmmakers have to "make a movie" while bein gfollowed by dozens of cameras, going from preproduction and casting to post-production.

Project Greenlight lasted 3 seasons, but it is back for a 4th. This time around the show will air on HBO. Filmmakers are asked to submit a short film as part of the application process starting July 24. For more information, check out the Project Greenlight website HERE.

Jimmy Jean-Louis will host Miss Haiti

The Miss Haiti competition is fast approaching. This week, the official list of finalists was released and the event’s MC was announced. Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis will be the host for the 2014 Miss Haiti competition.

This year there are 22 candidates, 10 of whom appear to be from the Department de l’Ouest. I noticed one contestant from the Department du Nord but kote lot bel Capoise mwen yo? Bel ti medam Gonaives mwen yo, kote nou? I’d tell you who I’m rooting for based on the pictures alone but I am waiting to hear more on the contestants’ backgrounds, aspirations and to see how they carry themselves from here on out.

The always dapper Jimmy Jean-Louis is sure to add a dash of Hollywood glamour to the event which will take place in Port-au-Prince on Saturday September 6, 2014. For more information visit the Miss Haiti website HERE.

(Photos from Miss Haiti on FACEBOOK)

"Free Swim"

Nan peyam ge yon pawol ki di "najé pou soti." Yon pawol ironik le'w konsidere ke anpil Ayisyen pa konn naje, malgré nou ap viv sou yon il. Hence the reason I thought this short documentary would be relevant to my readers.

"Free Swim" is a film about people who live in coastal areas who cannot swim. The doc focuses on a specific part of the Bahamas and follows a group of people who finally decide to overcome their fear and learn to swim after a tragedy occurs. Check out the article and the full film on  SHADOW AND ACT.

Set Etiquette: The Art of Keeping it Professional

We love making movies. It's great to follow our passion but often we forget that this is a business after all. Living in Los Angeles and having worked on micro budget films, I've seen some truly appalling behavior: Directors strolling on set 2 hours late, accidents, injuries, fights. You name it and I've seen it.

One of my biggest pet peeve is when an AD has no control over the crew. Control to me means that the crew respects you enough to follow your lead. It's amazing what a group of great people is willing to do when there is mutual respect. 

Another seemingly minor (but it's not!) point is food. Feed your crew and keep them happy! Staff Me Up put together a list of 7 things not to do on set. To their list, I will add:

-DON'T be arrogant. Check your ego at the door.

-DON'T be lazy. If it's a small crew working on a tiny budget, then assist where help is needed. Caveat: depending on how the crew runs, it may not be permissible to touch equipment in other departments. Ask before you touch and use your judgment!

-DON'T disrespect your crew. I've seen an entire crew walk out on an abusive director.

-DON'T network when your supposed to be working. It's great to make friends but exchange information on your own time not during the shoot.

-DON'T turn your phone on. Seriously, don't do it. You may forget to turn it off and then in the middle of a shot ... ringtone!

-DON'T try to outshine others. I've seen instances where an AD tried to insult a great director because she did not attend film school. While I applaud those who attended film school, there are plenty of talented, award winning directors who are self taught. Just do your work, do it well, be nice, be a team player, make a kick ass movie, have fun. End of story. 

Staff Me Up's list of "7 Things Not To Do On Set" can be found HERE.