It seems that Edner, our executive producer, was given the URL to this blog and read my comments in the last post, "Captain, we've hit an iceberg." The post was deleted to prevent further damage, because I certainly receive no joy from publicly humiliating someone. If I could take back the post I certainly would do so. I was here to support Sacha in his endeavor to create a work of Haitian cinema that can be enjoyed and respected in the international community. I am now an impediment to the making of the movie, so I'm on a flight back home.
My biggest regret is that the words I wrote hurt Edner, his collaborators at Communication Plus, and many members of the local Haitian filmmaking community. I did not mean for this to be the effect of my online diary. I hope this can be seen as a public apology for my inconsiderate behavior. Now that I have some first hand experience trying to make a movie in Haiti, I have a deep appreciation for the difficulties filmmakers experience in their endeavors here. The fact that they're still working hard to develop a national cinema is a testament to their fortitude and determination. Edner is taking a huge risk with LA REBELLE, and he must be saluted for trying to raise the bar for Haitian films and invest in the future of Haitian cinema. I hope those filmmakers I met while in Haiti--and even those I did not--will feel my sincerity and accept this heartfelt apology.
Some may say that the threat of bodily injury I received in the form of an anonymous e-mail was the primary reason I left Haiti. Let me assure you, this was not the case. Technically, it was not a death threat. The procedure promised in the missive, KAOCHOU NAN BOUDA-OU, is Creole for "shoving a tire up my ass." Depending on the size of the tire, this is potentially a survivable event.
In any case, it clearly shows how my comments stirred up a lot of emotion within the local community. I wrote the offending post in anger and frustration, and some reflection would have been useful. I definitely should have kept those words to myself, rather than putting them in a publicly accessible forum. To all of this I declare, mea culpa
This person, however, also accused me of saying negative things about the Haitian people. To this I declare myself 100% innocent. I have great affection and admiration for the people in this troubled but hopeful land. If anything was perceived as negative, it may have been the aspects of the Haitian personality that I was struggling to understand. Even those you love can drive you crazy every now and again. My most fond memories of Haiti are the people: those I met and those I witnessed every day struggling to survive in an environment where most of us in the US would throw in the towel. The people here give Haiti it's unique spirit, and I am richer for having the chance to live among them for a few months.
I can't help but feel like a complete idiot for being too candid on my posts. I was trying to capture my experiences here as unfiltered as I could present them. Unfortunately, I named names and that makes things personal. But even if I didn't name Edner by name, his adversaries here in Haiti would still have read between the lines and figured out who I was speaking about. Since the frustrations I expressed were such a huge part of my experience here, if I left it out I would have been defeating the entire purpose of this blog. Still, it was ill advised and I regret that part of this diary.
Unfortunately, this blog created a distraction that could disrupt the production of LA REBELLE. For filmmakers, the movie is everything and I've hurt the movie with my indiscretion. For that I am deeply sorry. I've learned a valuable lesson here and I sincerely hope that a terrific movie can be made of LA REBELLE. Too many people have worked too hard to see things fall apart so close to the start of production.
I'll be closely connected to LA REBELLE while safely back in San Jose, CA. (You won't see me anywhere near Big O Tires). The entire film production is in my computer, including the names and contact information for cast, crew, locations, sponsors and vendors. I also have the complete script breakdown and stripboards (more on these in a future post). I was just about to work with Sacha and Aitor on the schedule when all of this happened.
The bottom line is that the story of LA REBELLE is far from over. Even though I felt that things could not possibly come together in the time frame we were given, the rest of Team La Rebelle is working hard to pull it off. I'll give them all the support I can via e-mail and (thanks to LA REBELLE's sponsor HaiNet) a satellite phone link. You may regard me as a deserter, but eventually I will be able to disclose all the reasons I chose to leave the production ... and this time it won't be personal.
Until then I hope there's much more to document in the birth of a Haitian movie.
Thank you for your continued interest and support, and we'll talk soon - Ken
Merry Christmas and an Interesting New Year
2 months ago
3 comments:
Ken's apology was really heartfelt -- but writing an apology for telling the truth as he saw it leaves me scratching my head.
All my childhood, I had the crap beaten out of me when I failed to tell the truth. No one had to teach me as a child to lie...lying came naturally. My parents had to work pretty hard to teach me the art of telling the truth. Lying is just natural to the human condition. Just as every true art form takes tremendous discipline to master and to maintain...whether music, writing, dancing, sports, and etc,. these true art forms are learned, perfected, and maintained only with years of enormous amounts of work.
This same kind of thing can be said about truth-telling. It really is an art form in itself because becoming a truthful person is not easy because of the pain and embarrassment often associated with truth-telling.
Ken has mastered the art of truth telling. To write or speak a lie would work against the truthful man he has grown to be. To lie would mean to work hard against his character. His writing is brilliant because it is truthful.
This brings to mind a quote by Robert Louis Stevenson, "We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend. " I value Ken's life here on earth because he has the courage to be honest -- even when he says or writes things which strike a nerve.
Every crises brings about an opportunity for learning and all the shaken nerves over this ordeal leave me praying that there will come about understanding and love among all people involved with this movie. Ken's honesty was written to be open for us to the truths of the movie experience and to himself as well. He was brought up like any American who traditionally has been taught that honesty is very important, a democratic virtue. Our American lore, such as George Washington's cherry tree or Honest Abe's penny, stress the importance of honesty. How can there be honesty without truth?
Ken told it like he saw it, with no intention to hurt anyone but he is human which means he can make bad judgement calls. The anonymous hurt party reacted back with his truth, in the form of a hostile reply. An apology was made, all sides feelings are clear and understood....so...let's get on with the film. Ken, Sacha, Erdner, and all the crew are loved and respected. Any of them backing out of the picture would be a grave loss. Let us all put down our arms and reach out to one another with open arms.
Love and healing are happening now . This movie is going to be a smashing success... and that's the truth!
Ken we can forgive you for your comment about filmmaking in Haiti if only you had taking all the things you said about the struggle of making a movie in the island but you did not consider anything on you comment, if someone had done the same thing to the people of America there would some consequences both you and sacha were not Haiti to help the Haitian cinema, the truth is that you two are in to exploite the Haitian cinema i did not any problem with that untill you start insulting the very people helping you making money with a film that was not making no money in the states for there is no appology and sacha should be out of the production of LA REBELLE all you two wanted just to take out as much money as you can out of Communication plus, you keep asking for more money we the filmmakers are building a market for Haitian film what you should of done was salut the effort of all who struggle to make a movie with almost no Budget when you come you ask for a Big Budget what do you bring to the table nothing no equipment what so ever.
if you want to help go get some production with money from the states and bring them to Haiti not take money out of the poorest country in the western hemisphere to richest country i want to that you be declare a "Persona non gratha" in Haiti both you and Sacha with out you and Sacha the production will continue you RACIS ANIMAL thank for your apology but no Thank you. stop stealing candy from the Baby the poor people of Haiti remember when we make movies in Haiti we don't have no one to ask for more money, Telephone, cars etc.we still make a movie.
You know what i think? Fuck Haiti. Fuck Haitians. They don't want americans there. They just want our money. They expect everything for nothing. If you want your movies to be better in haiti, don't think americans are just going to give it to you. You must make an investment too. I think Sacha and Ken are fucking stupid for even going there. What a waste of time and money. And I'm not being racist...if you're a white haitian, then fuck you too. Haitians have the worst mentality...They all think americans are racist. And it's because they think that that i hate them. SO fuck off haitians. Stay there in your poor country where you just take take take, piss in the streets, and litter in your own yards.
Post a Comment