La Belle Vie:
The Good Life

Finding one’s identity leads to the discovery of a nation redefining their own image

Synopsis

La Belle Vie: The Good Life is a story about a Haitian-American filmmaker, Rachelle Salnave’s journey to discover her Haitian roots by examining the complexities of the Haitian society as it pertains to the overall political and economic dichotomy in Haiti. Using her own personal family stories interconnected with capturing the voices of Haitians and experts overall, this film chronologically uncovers the rationale behind its social class system but also how it has affected the Haitian American migration experience as well. With the proliferation of political turmoil, poverty, and now an Earthquake shattered nation, La Belle Vie: The Good Life in the end beckons all to lay down their arms, be it the tangible weapons of death and pain or the psychological and spiritual tools of division and prejudice, and work as one to rebuild and prosper in the name of a new and stronger Haiti.

THE TEAM

RACHELLE SALNAVE

Director and Producer

JEAN H. MARCELIN

Director of Photography

YADALY PAEZ

Editor/ Colorist

PASCAL MARCELIN

Lead Editor

COLIN MORRISON

Sound Editor

ASHBY WRATCHFORD

Motion Graphic Artist

RON KAUVON

Music Composer

LISE MOREL

French Translator

Corail Estimé & Camille Sarr-Baron

French Translator

WATCH THE FULL FILM ON VIMEO ON DEMAND AND AMAZON PRIME NOW

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Support

This film was made possible by contributions from the community and our Kickstarter supporters. Please continue supporting our efforts to get this film shown around the world by continuing your contributions.

Special Thanks

Knight Foundation
Reginald Lindsay
Eric Balmir, Jr.
Aglae Charlot

Ada Babino
Amanda Elliott
Barbara Martinez- Demers
Watson Escarment
Bernard Montperious
Marie-Simone Montperious
Charlene Desir
C.J. Sailor
CC Capers
Curtis John
Dania Jolley
David Francis
Didier J Fabien
Donna Monifa Jackson
Dominique Colimon
Edwin Laurore
Gina Sylvestre
Godfrey Gillett
Habiba Koroma

Helen Morgan
Hugens Noel
Jariatou Sibi
Jean Claude Elie
Jennifer McConnell
Jerry Pierre
Jonathan Branch
Joseph Alfred
Joy Camacho
Kathy Baker
Kiki Toussaint
Luigi Moccia
Macnair Dorsainvil
Maliika Marsh
Marie-Flore Jean Baptiste
Marie (Johanne) Dupiton
Melisa Phillips
Michael De’Vincent Amicy
Moikgantsi Kgama
Nadine Michel

Nadia Castro
Nelsa Boyer
Orlinka Terry
Pascal Fleury
Paul Wong
Russ Rentler
Sandra Lebrun
Sandra Wright
Stephane Salnave
Sylvie Straus-Figueroa
Tirinda Hixson
Tracey Allison
Tricia Hayles
Wilton Rene
Woody Nicolas
Wayne Overstreet
Watson Escarment
Yves Colon
Zsadora Lahens

Screenings

La Belle Vie: The Good Life Screenings:

One Book One U Haitian Film Series
Thursday | Feb. 13th 2020 | 6:30pm
Cosford Cinema (University of Miami)
5035 Brunson Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146
Admission is FREE
____________________________________
Monday, June 19th 10PM
South Florida’s PBS | WPBT2 Ch.2

Haiti Premiere
Thursday March 9th, 2017 | 5pm
FOKAL
Avenue H. Christophe, 143
PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI
ADMISSION IS FREE

Creatively Speaking
Metrograph Cinema
Saturday October 29th, 1:00PM
7 Ludlow St.
New York, NY
http://metrograph.com/film/film/451/la-belle-vie-the-good-life

NEA BIG Read Holland, MI
Hope College
Knickerbocker Theater, 86 E 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Monday | Nov. 7th | 7PM-9PM
For more information log onto: NEA BIG READ

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PAST 2016 Screenings
Broadcast of La Belle Vie: The Good Life
Tuesday September 6th, 2016 at 1:00PM
PBS (WXEL) | Ch.42 | 1PM
Coverage – Miami through Ft. Pierce

Broadcast of La Belle Vie: The Good Life
Tuesday September 6th, 2016 at 11:00PM
PBS (WPBT2) | Ch.2 |11:00PM
Coverage – The Keys, Miami, Broward, West Palm Beach

PARIS SCREENING
Dimanche, 11 Septembre @ 20h30
Cinema La Clef | 34 Rue Daubenton
75005 Paris | M* Censier Daubenton L47
www.fifda.org

Special Online Screening for Kickstarter Backers only
Tuesday, July 19th, 2016
For more information: Kickstarter.com

African Diaspora Film Festival (Chicago Edition)
In Affiliation with DuSable Heritage Association
Saturday, June 11th, 2016 | 7:30pm
Facets Cinematheque | 1517 W Fullerton | Chicago, IL 60614
Reception plus Q&A with director
Purchase tickets here – www.eventbrite.com

La Belle Vie: The Good Life Joins The BIG READ!
Saturday | March 19th | 1:30PM
Coral Gables Art Cinema
260 Aragon Avenue, Coral Gables, FL
For More information, log onto www.miamibookfair.com
Free & Open to the Public

PAMM | Pérez Art Museum Miami
Saturday | February 13th |4:00PM
1103 Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33132
Q&A with the Director
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information call (305) 375-3000 or email education@pamm.org

Miami-Dade Public Library
Thursday | February 18th|5:30PM
MAIN LIBRARY | 101 W. Flagler St., Miami, FL 33130
Q&A with the Director
For more information call 305‑375‑2878
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

1st Annual Haiti Film Festival
Saturday | February 20th| 7PM
CSUN | 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge, CA 91330

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2015 Screenings

23rd Pan African Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA)
February 5th-16th 2015
www.paff.org

Toronto Black Film Festival (Toronto)
February 10th-15th
http://torontoblackfilm.com/

Africa World Documentary Film Festival Tour
University of West Indies (Barbados)
March 8th, 2015
www.africaworldfilmfestival.com

Africa World Documentary Film Festival Tour
iRepresent International Documentary Festival (Lagos, Nigeria)
March 22nd, 2015
www.africaworldfilmfestival.com

Boston International Film Festival
April 16th- 21st 2015
www.bostoniff.org

Ayiti Images: A Florida Traveling Film Series
April 20th-May 2nd 2015
April 20th – University of Miami April 21st
April 21st – O Cinema – Wynwood (Miami, FL – Wynwood)
April 23rd -FIU South Campus (Miami, FL- South Dade)
April 24th- Little Haiti Cultural Center (Miami)
April 25th – Lake Worth Playhouse (Lake Worth, FL)
May 2nd- African American Research Library (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Log onto www.eventbrite.com – Keyword Ayiti Images
https://www.facebook.com/AyitiImages

Haiti Film Festival
May 10th 7:30pm
St. Francis College | Founders Hall | 180 Remsen St.
Brooklyn, NY
http://haiticulturalx.org/haitifilmfest

Women’s International Film Festival
June 5th – 7pm
Collins Theater
Deauville Resort Hotel, 6701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33141
http://www.womensfilmfest.com/

NSU Art Museum | Fort Lauderale
July 9th 6:00pm-8:30pm
One East Las Olas Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Free Admission | RSVP moareservations@moafl.org or 954-525-5500

Blackstar Film Festival
Friday July 31 at noon
International House, 3701 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA
http://blackstarfest.org

Africa World Documentary Film Festival Tour
District Six Museum (Cape Town, South Africa)
August 1St 2015
www.africaworldfilmfestival.com

WPBT2 BROADCAST PREMIERE ( PBS SOUTH FLORIDA EXCLUSIVE)
MONDAY | SEPT. 21ST | 10PM | CH.2
http://www.wpbt2.org/highlightpg9.html

Montreal International Black Film Festival
SAT. | OCT. 3RD | 9PM
Ancien Cinéma ONF / Former NFB Cinema
1564, Rue St-Denis, Montréal (Métro Berri UQAM)
Montreal, Canada
http://montrealblackfilm.com/2015-festival/#/event/140

Reel Sisters Film Festival
SAT. | Oct.24th | 4:30PM
LIU (BROOKLYN CAMPUS) – SPIKE LEE SCREENING ROOM
Brooklyn, NY
https://reelsisters2.wordpress.com

Africa World Documentary Film Festival Tour
University of West Indies (Jamaica- Mona Campus)
Neville Hall Lecture Theatre (N1)
Faculty of Humanities and Education of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus
www.africaworldfilmfestival.com
FREE and Open to the Public

Campaign

La Belle Vie: The Good Life is a film that I hope helps people reflect on Haiti and its essential relationship to its Diaspora. It’s a film that offers a sense of discovery of oneself and its roots. This film also sends a message of hope and an opportunity to find ways to continue to be part of the next phase in Haiti’s history.

Here are 5 ways to be part of the rebuilding of Haiti.

1) BE PROUD OF YOUR HERITAGE

As a kid, I wanted for so long to adapt and take on other culture’s as my own because my Haitian culture was so badly stigmatized. Until I became comfortable with my own identity, learned more about Haiti’s history and culture is when I vowed always to be proud of my Haitian identity.

Learn about Haitian culture, support cultural organizations and Haitian Artisans who use their talents to show a variety of ways to expose the positive richness of the Haitian experience.

2) VISIT HAITI- TELL YOUR STORY

The best way to combat stereotypes and misconceptions is to visit Haiti for yourself. Tell your own story. Write a journal, take pictures, selfies and share your perspective. Take your children and visit the country side, experience the national monuments and teach your kids about Haiti’s contribution to the world.

3) BUY HAITI

Whenever you see a Made In Haiti product buy it! A large population of Haitian’s that live in the Urban areas need jobs. The people who live on the outskirts also need work, agriculture needs to be restored and artist’s need to sell their work. Buying Haitian coffee, art, rice, mangos, you name it , BUY HAITI is a great way of supporting the Haitian economy.

4) INVEST YOUR PASSION

If you know you have a green thumb go to Haiti and plant tree’s. If you are singer, doctor, lawyer, a bird watcher . . . invest what you passionate about and work with the people on the ground. Find ways to listen to what the people who live in Haiti think is best and work hand in hand.

5) VOLUNTEER and CONTINUE TO DONATE

Most of the population is still in great need of basic services. Give back by lending your time and/or dollars. Do your research and get the track record of the organization’s you select.

Pray, send good vibes and never forget Haiti.

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