12864: Restavek documentary film (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Tttnhm@aol.com

Somebody wrote in asking about films about restaveks. I know this is not the
one that was wanted, but I thought I would send the info in anyway.

Charles Arthur


<We pleased to announce that CHILDREN OF SHADOWS is now complete.

CHILDREN OF SHADOWS is a 54 minute documentary that portrays the restavek
children of Haiti.  The film follows the children as they go through their
daily chores - the endless cycle of cooking, washing, sweeping, mopping,
fetching water, going to the market, running errands, etc.  In heartbreaking
interviews the children speak openly and shyly about the lives they are
forced to lead.  Their “aunts” (adoptive
caretakers) speak openly and proudly of the vast mountain of work that
“their” restavek does for them. The camera goes deep into the countryside to
interview the peasant families as to what kind of situation would force them
to give away one or more of their children.

Narrated entirely by the people themselves in their native Creole (English
subtitles) and with original Haitian music laced throughout the film, the
documentary is both emotional and informative.  It is the first film to be
made about this subject, which
until recently has never been talked about.

Since its completion in July 2001, the film has been invited to The World
Film Festival of Montreal, The International Film Festival of Taiwan, The
International Denver Film Festival, The Amsterdam International Documentary
Film Festival,
Thessaloniki International Documentary Film Festival, Geneva Human Rights
Festival, Vues d’Afrique, Sarajevo Film Festival, and the Museum of Modern
Art in New York.

At this time, the film is available for sale to universities, libraries,
museums, and other non-profit institutions.  For ordering instructions, or to
learn more about the making of the film, please visit
www.childrenofshadows.com


Karen Kramer
Erzulie Films
22 Leroy St.
New York, N.Y. 10014
ph/fx (212)691-3470
www.childrenofshaows.com
>