Raoul Peck (CARIFESTA 1995)
RAOUL PECK (CARIFEST 1995)
I went to this film symposium the other day. It was co-ordinated by the Banyan Squad held at a nice new vibes spot; Café de Artistes and featured a director I haven’t seen before in my life. (He’s from the Caribbean, so obviously we won’t know a thing about him or his work.) Not knowing what to expect, I reached late of course.
When I walked in; my red hair caused only a minor stir, I was surprised to see news cameras there. Only one station though. So I unfolded my semi-important look and slinked right in.
Raoul Peck is a Haitian. His film “The Man on the Shore” opened the Carifesta 6 Film and Video Festival. Judging from the attention given to him by this very powerful group of insiders, “The Man on the Shore” is no mean achievement.
Except for the few apparently deaf audience members the symposium left everyone in attendance very enlightened. It certainly had me thinking about doing the work I have laid on my table.
Peck cleared some of the misconceptions of the movie industry and shed some light on the very formidable problems of funding and budgeting.
He described some of his own methodologies, perspectives and opinions, and gave some down to earth advice on production techniques. He also gave me a new perspective on Hollywood, “…try not to accept the recipe of mainstream cinema.”
When I left the Café de Artistes, I had a lot more questions than when I came. But I know now what to ask and who to ask those questions to.
Although I still haven’t seen Raoul Peck’s films, at least I know who he is now.