To My Anonymous Haitian Admirer

This post is in reference to the following comment made to me by my anonymous Haitian admirer (all of this is sic):

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.
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You obviously have some inside information about the production of LA REBELLE. Unfortunately you do not have the true facts.

I worked for many weeks putting together equipment for Communication Plus, testing all of the items, and transporting them to Haiti from the US. This equipment has been used by Haitian filmmakers at Communication Plus since November. Furthermore, I've worked on production planning for LA REBELLE since last Fall, and have been full time since mid-December. Once I arrived in Haiti in late January I worked 7 days a week on LA REBELLE until my departure on 3 Mar 05.

During all of this time I did not receive one cent for my work on LA REBELLE. During this time, as well as the month I spent in October dubbing SKIN DEEP, I paid for my own lodging, meals and living expenses. I did not have a cell phone or a car. I've spent far more of my own money than I have received from any resources in Haiti. I am not complaining as I freely agreed to this arrangement. I knew it would cost me money to work on LA REBELLE but I was willing to do it for the experience. If you're accusing me of pissing away Haitian money, then you're looking at the wrong person. I've actually contributed to the Haitian economy, albeit in a small way.

The budget for LA REBELLE is far from being extravagant. The only difference between LA REBELLE and the budget for most other Haitian movies is we wanted to actually pay and feed people like the actors & crew. We were not asking for money to line our pockets, or to live a high lifestyle while in Haiti. You might want to talk with your former Presidents about that sort of arrangement, but that's not what we were doing. My goal was to manage the shoot such that a movie with high production values could be made for the money that was available to the Haitian production company. I was trying to get the most out of every dollar spent on LA REBELLE.

If you'd like to come out of the closet and identify yourself, we can discuss the facts of the case privately. I strongly suspect that we know each other, and I would not like to have the misinformation you're spouting run amok within the Haitian filmmaking community.

And one important issue before I close: if you remember the movie, SKIN DEEP, you'll recall that the character of Michael who felt every problem he had was caused by racism. The result of his attitude was the death of an innocent person and the loss of his own life.

Bottom line: it isn't always about race. In this case, it has nothing whatsoever to do with race. Your racism charge is a cop out because you don't want to take responsibility for your own problems. Instead of making me the white devil, you should be addressing the real issues in Haiti. The save the cry of racism for when it really applies. I'm not your problem. I did not take from Haiti and give nothing in return. There's a great deal you can learn about filmmaking from the LA REBELLE team if you choose to take advantage of it. Stop wallowing in self pity. Your attitude is a big part of the problem. Why don't you try to be part of the solution instead.

Peace - Ken