Nou Sove: December 2008

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Connectivity Condition...Partying with Diane Lane

So here comes the new year and we're coursing through post production on Nou Sove. I was looking at some of the photo's and came across this one again:

I've posted it a couple of times before because I thought it was a cool, off the cuff photo snapped with my I Phone for lack of any other story catching medium at that time. It's out of focus mostly, but more in focus on Diane Lane while she flashes a gang sign. Well, it's not a gang sign, but what it does relay is a symbol of peace, relief a sort of letting go. Connection. She does connect so well on screen and I feel it's what makes her a great actress. But that night was all about connection. The group playing is called RAM and is one of the most popular in Haiti (I'll discuss them in a later post and wait until you see the interview and footage.) What makes them so popular is connection. They connected to the audience in so many ways that night. They connect to the people of Haiti and abroad through their message of politics mixed with songs of joy and straight out fun music.

Notice Jimmy in the corner.

He got caught up in the frenzy, grabbed the camera and started shooting. Everyone was caught in the the magic of the moment. We all I feel were one at that moment.

Moving into the new year I feel this is the place where change can happen. I call it the "Connectivity Condition". Holidays are a time where everyone takes a time out. They let go for a moment. Tensions are eased, stress is relieved (except Christmas, the most stress intensive holiday of the year). But New Years is about partying, resolutions, new outlooks, hugging the stranger next to you at the overpriced bar or club or warehouse you're in. Or your neighbor, loved one or in some cases your sworn enemy. But after the 1st it's back on, it's go time, the horses are out of the gate, the dogs are let loose, choose your cliche' statement.

I'll write more on how I feel the "Connectivity Condition" can make the difference for Haiti, but for now I'm taking time out before the new year to reflect on what is important. Connecting with people, helping when you can, feeling the connection is like no other feeling. Nothing can replace it and hopefully we can all take this feeling further into 09.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Haiti's close, yet so far.

We've started going over some of the footage and although it's been over a week I still feel I'm there. Maybe because Haiti is so close, only two hours by plane. Close as many cities in this country, but so far. It was surreal to be there with John Edwards, who was a viable presidential candidate only a few months ago. So close. But hope was there in the form of a priest, Father Rick. He told a story one night in the middle of Wharf City of how one must deal in Haiti to get things done. It was an amazing tale of good versus evil, greater good versus greater good. In the end what is greater? What is good? Evil? Close, so close. Lives, walk a mile in another's shoes, greener grass, other side, take a side, take a stand. Doc soon, story soon.

Paul Haggis, Josh Brolin, Father Rick, John Edwards

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Experience, heart and soul

Being in Haiti for this trip was amazing, heartbreaking, encouraging, gut wrenching, inspiring, brilliant, and I feel an experience that has moved me as much as any experience in my life. I've lived all around the US, in Europe and in Africa, but this trip really moved me. First, Haiti must be one of the most connected places on Earth. At all times there are people walking, catching tap taps (trucks with benches in the back)...

...on and off and on again, riding bikes in tandem, motorcycles three and four on the same seat at a time, talking, selling, trading and simply making it work. The connectiveness of the people push the life there, make it possible to make a way, seemingly out of no way. But there is. This connectiveness I feel is the key to Haiti's future. We went to a school in the heart of Cite Soleil, one of the roughest cities on the planet.

garbage piled in the sewers

There were women, men, children, grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters in the same room...learning. The seed, that's the seed. The spark. It was breathtaking to me in the midst of the sea of turmoil an island, engaged, eyes cemented to the wall of a chalkboard. Ad hoc chairs, stools and whatever could be used to have a place in the room of the sun. Soleil means sun and the city, in that room was indeed shining. The surroundings however, where quite gloomy. UN peacekeepers spotted every quarter mile or so with grenades, machine guns, riot uniforms and all.

Heaps of garbage, much of it burning, as much of Haiti is perpetually burning. Pigs and goats rooting in the muck wherever they pleased. And the bustle of the people, constant movement was the glue that kept it all from collapsing, the weight and burden as heavy as any in history. But hope is where I found glory. There is much hope. I'll get into that in later posts. And there was of course Jimmy moving seamlessly and effortlessly from the high hotels, to the dankness of Wharf City touching hearts wherever he went.