Ghosts of Cite Soleil portrays rapper-thugs in the most dangerous place on earth
By Kenya Vaughn Of the St. Louis American
During the filming of the documentary Ghosts of Cite Soleil, it is 2004. Two hundred years have passed since a slave revolt created the first black republic in the Western Hemisphere. But in the midst of the milestone, there is little to celebrate. And the film illustrates the legacy of violence, poverty and political unrest that has followed the country since its liberation.
Danish writer-director Asger Leth and executive producer Wyclef Jean bring a powerful, yet frightening look at the cycle of turmoil within the country and the effect of the unrest on its people. The documentary follows two brothers and their struggle to survive in the slums of Cite Soleil, called the most dangerous place on earth by the U.N.
Orphaned brothers 2pac and Billy live as “chimeres,” armed gangs employed by Artistide to attack and kill anyone who expresses opposition to the current government. In Cain vs. Abel fashion, Billy wants improvement for the people of Haiti, while 2pac is out for his self.
Opposing views keep Bily and 2pac at odds, and the love triangle between them and a white French relief worker further complicates their relationship. While aware that Bily has genuine feelings for the woman, 2pac strikes up a sexual relationship with her, creating a larger rift in their relationship.
“It’s me against the world,” 2pac says in English with a thick French accent. He is quoting the rhyme of his namesake, slain rapper Tupac Shakur.
The wars within the inner cities of the U.S. pale in comparison to the government-sanctioned massacres that took place in Haiti during the filming, but there is clearly resemblance with the guns, the drugs, the hip-hop and the complete lack of value for human life.
Bily, 2pac and the other chimeres featured in the films are aspiring MCs. Somewhere in the middle of the chaos that makes up their everyday lives, they find inspiration for their rhymes. They also emulate to a magnified degree the negative messages and images that they hear and see via American hip-hop. There is even a rivalry between 2pac and another Haitian gangleader named 50 Cent.
But somewhere in the midst of his cynical and narcissistic tendencies, 2pac manages to show a vulnerable side – especially through his relationship with Wyclef Jean. He calls Jean throughout the duration of the film to share music and express desires to use his music as an instrument for change.
But life gets in the way. The chimeres comfortable post is snatched from under them as Artistide flees Haiti and rebels gain control of the country.
The death and poverty seen in this matter-of-fact documentary are more graphic than could have been fabricated in any work of fiction. The constant risk of harm undertaken by Leth is obvious in a statement made by one of the thugs (“I should kill you for this camera”).
Even though there is the hope that things will improve for the young men featured as Ghosts of Cite Soleil progresses, they share a similar – if not worse – fate than their biblical counterparts.
“Ghosts of Cite Soleil” will be screened as a part of the Webster University Film Series on Saturday, July 14 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, July 15 at 8 p.m. For more information, call (314) 968-7487