MOLOCH TROPICAL
A film by Raoul PECK
Velvet Film / ARTE France 2009
107 min.
Shot in Haiti.
Main film festivals selection:
Toronto International Film Festival 2009 - Special Presentation
Berlin International Film Festival 2010 - Berlinale Special
Tribeca International Film Festival 2010
Dubai International Film Festival 2009
Sydney International Film Festival 2010 - International competition
SYNOPSIS
In a fortress perched on the top of a mountain, a democratically elected « President » and his closest collaborators are getting ready for a state celebration. Foreign chiefs of state and dignitaries of all sorts are expected. But in the morning of the event, he wakes up to find the country inflamed the streets in turmoil. As the day goes on, rebellion worsens. Meanwhile, expected guests are withdrawing from the party one after another…
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
With this film I wanted to explore the often hidden side of power. No doubt, an occasion for me to revisit my own political experiences in Haiti and elsewhere.
What’s the final day like for a man with unrestrained power, whose supremacy has never been challenged, who is now plunging dizzyingly into a black hole of events he cannot control?
I wanted to explore what happens behind closed doors, during a tragic and unruly “Farewell to Arms”, when everything becomes possible and irretrievable at the same time? Redemption as well as demise.
During these minute gaps in History, a person reveals crudely his true essence, his fears, and his desires - given that there is no time left for craftiness.
We might even see a little bit of ourselves in these characters.
With this film, I also wanted to return to my country. I wanted to re-examine, with a Shakespearian perspective, the tragic and foolish nonsense of the past 60 years of upheaval. A battle for “democracy” which took no prisoner. Nowhere else but in Haiti has reality generated so much confusion and so many contradictions.
We chose to shoot Moloch Tropical in a unique location, the Citadelle Henry, built by King Henry Christophe at the beginning of the 19th Century atop a steep mountain.
With a size of approximately 100,000 square feet, it is the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere. Perhaps, more importantly it is the indestructible symbol of the only nation in human history that was created by victorious slaves.
The single and unique time in which the trail of slavery which began in Gorée Island (another symbol) was permanently broken.
But at what cost?
Reviews:
“A gripping feature film (…) MOLOCH TROPICAL is a satirically edged melodrama" The New York Times
"Raoul Peck tucks a searing critique of absolute power within the most elegant chamber drama. It's a masterful move." indieWIRE
"A hothouse study of a man and country crippled by corrupted ideals" The Village Voice
"Audacious in concept (...) opulent mise-en-scene" Variety
“A brilliant movie” Premiere
Main film festivals selection:
In 2009:
Toronto International Film Festival 2009 - Special Presentation (Canada)
Festival Cinéma et Politique de Tours - Opening Film (France)
International film festival of Kerala (India)
Dubai International Film Festival 2009
In 2010:
MoMA - The Contenders, Best Films of 2010 (New York, USA)
Berlin International Film Festival 2010 - Berlinale Special (Germany)
CinemAfrica (Stockholm, Sweden)
Forum des Images - Retrospective Raoul Peck (Paris, France)
Miami International Film Festival (USA)
Milano Africano Film Festival (Italy)
Human Rights Watch Film Festival, London - Opening Film (UK)
Diversciné, Ottawa (Canada)
Istanbul International Film Festival (Turkey)
Tribeca International Film Festival 2010 (USA)
Belfast International Film Festival (Northern Ireland)
Saint-Barth' Film Festival
FIFFBA Bratislava Film Festival (Slovakia)
Washington International Film Festival (USA)
Etonnants Voyageurs, Saint-Malo (France)
Sydney International Film Festival 2010 - International competition (Australia)
CMAC Martinique (France)
Human Rights Watch Film Festival, New York (USA)
African Diaspora Film festival, New York and Chicago (USA)
Durban International Film Festival (South Africa)
Festival du Film Insulaire, Ile de Groix (France)
Festival du Film Francophone d'Angoulême - Official competition (France)
Bozal, Brussels (Belgium)
Prize:
2010 Signis prize of World Catholic Association for Communication (Milano film festival)