There are two Haitian cinemas. That of the Haitians of origin who made a breach either to Hollywood of France like Jimmy Jean-Louis, Vicky Jeudy or at a more impressive level such as Raoul Peck and Jean-Claude Lamarre. And there are the Haitian filmmakers based in Haiti, Miami, and Boston who are trying hard to crack the ceiling. Among them, Fabienne Colas and Gessica Généus.
At first they were actresses (amateur), then both decided to go further their dreams and became producers and directors to put the effort started by ambitious filmmakers such as Raynald Delerme, Jean-Gardy Bien-Aimé, Hérold Israel or Wilkenson Bruna at a higher level. And they made it!
After Fabienne Colas, the chairwoman of the Black Film Fest of Montreal has been awarded among one of the must influential young entrepreneurs of Canada, it’s time for Gessica Généus to crack the glass ceiling for Haitian filmmakers in Cannes. Even though it wasn’t in the official selection, this award, in Un certain Regard, is still a big deal for all Haitian filmmakers and thanks two this courageous woman.
Freda, her feature film is a female perspective on Haitian society, the first feature films from Haiti that made it so far. Presented in the Un certain regard selection at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, Freda set the path, not only to hope but for a different view on the Haiti Cinema industry.
From Barikad to Freda, Gessica Geneus enter the prestigious Cannes films Fest. Koolbae is proud to share this as a model of courage and vision for all young Haitian women:
Synopsis: “Freda lives with her family in a popular neighborhood in Haiti. They survive with their little street food shop. The precariousness and violence of their daily life push them to do everything they can to escape their situation.”
Director/Producer: Gessica Généus
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