The American Black Film Festival kicked off its second day by showcasing films in their Voices of the
Culture category. This is a non-competitive section of narrative short films directed by persons of African
descent. One film in particular that captivated the audience’s attention was a short film titled Port of a
Prince, written and directed by JR Aristide. This film follows a young Haitian boy who must decide if
joining a gang is the right path for him.
The Knockturnal could not miss out on the opportunity to learn more about JR as a Haitian-American
filmmaker, so we set up a one-on-one chat about the making of his short film and why it is important to
give the Haitian youth a voice. You can read the full exclusive one on one interview below:
The Knockturnal: When did you realize you wanted to become a filmmaker? I know it’s common in the Caribbean
culture for parents to advocate their kids to go the more safe/traditional route.
JR: For me personally, the time I knew I wanted to be a storyteller was back in 2012 after I graduated high school. A year later, I went to go see Fruitvale station and I was an emotional wreck towards the end of
the film. I grew so attached to the main character and for it to be taken away from me was very devastating. I
could honestly say it’s the film that lit my fuse as a filmmaker.
He continued by giving a shoutout to director Ryan Coogler for playing a vital part in his decision-making
to pursue a career in filmmaking after meeting him on the set of Black Panther.
JR: In 2016, I was attending FAMU and heard on the radio that there was an open casting call for Black
Panther. I wanted to meet Ryan Coogler at the time, so I drove four hours to Atlanta just to make the audition. I was actually the first few people there and by the time I finished my audition, over 5,000 people were waiting in line with their full African attire on. A few weeks later when I got the email that I was booked for the extra role, It was the first time I truly ever felt lucky. I came to the audition with regular clothes on and no expectations of booking the role while
others went all out.
The Knockturnal: Did you end up meeting Ryan Coogler on the set?
JR: I did! He was a wonderful person. When people say representation matters, I can tell you that it
does. Seeing Ryan on set directing gave me every bit of confidence to know someday I could do this. When people kept hitting me up saying they saw me in the Black Panther film, I felt very blessed for the opportunity.
The Knockturnal: Why was it important for you to make a film that highlighted certain aspects of Haitian
culture and also the struggle?
JR: Before the pandemic, I was working on projects that were centered around Haitian Stories
because of the scarcity of it. I wanted people to see Haitian cinema the same way we do for other
cultures. For this project, I saw a clip from a Haitian news outlet and it was so jarring to see a
young kid carrying a gun that was as tall as he was while stating his gang affiliation; It rocked me, and As a filmmaker, my mind went straight to film and that clip became the inspiration. I wondered what the little boy life would have been like before he became a gang member. This is what is happening to our youth in our country and it’s not being talked about enough. The youth in Haiti is the most disenfranchised. Kids in the community didn’t have a voice, it’s like they classify you as a child, so their opinions held no weight. No one is speaking for them. There is a lot of different violence that is happening in the streets of Haiti, but I feel like the kids are just as important because they are our future. If we don’t support them now, then we fail them by perpetuating the problem. That’s why I wanted the film to be shot In Port-au-Prince specifically to add authenticity to the story.
The Knockturnal: And how was it working with the kid actors in Haiti? I know there’s a lot of talent
there.
JR: Lots of talent! I had many people audition for the film and I wish I could cast them all but there were only limited roles available. Our main actor in the movie didn’t have to over-perform because his real father had been through that. While I was directing, I wanted to make sure I was sensitive when it came to pulling emotions from him without triggering his trauma. He was wise beyond his years.
The Knockturnal: Take me through the process of making the film, At the screening you
mentioned most of your talent and workers came from Haiti and you had a few partners with you from
America to help you.
JR: Yeah, so I needed a producer and there was a production company in Haiti called Muska. I directly
reached out to a man named Gilbert Mirambeau JR and connected with him immediately. He became my producer and
took care of most things like managing the logistics, transportation, and so on. We also brought in
the first AD, Ruth Macien, and she was a rockstar! Everyone who worked on the film was from Haiti except for
the crew that I brought with me which were my DP, his AC, and Gaffer. I wanted a
certain quality for the film, and they achieved that. I’m pretty sure it was life-changing for the guys who
traveled with me since they had a chance to see Haiti up close. They ended up falling in love with the people,
the food, and the culture.
The Knockturnal: What was the cost film and how did you end up raising money to make the film?
JR: I first wanted to shoot the film for $10,000 because that’s all I had but once the script was done, it
doubled. After the post-production/festival fees, that was another grand, so the total of the film budget
was thirty-five grand. Most of the money came from my savings. Luckily, my boss at the time paid for
the crew’s flight so travel was covered for all four of us.
The Knockturnal: What do you want audiences to know about you as a filmmaker?
JR:When you watch my films, I want you to feel the emotions of my characters in the story. I want them to critically think and look at the world through my eyes as a director. I want other filmmakers to feel inspired and take chances and risks to further their stories to a place that brings them much, much success. When you watch my films, I want you to feel— That’s the most rewarding to me.
The Knockturnal: And lastly, What’s next for you?
JR: I’m currently in development for two projects, one is a feature film that has something to do with the Haitian migration crisis. It’s a Haitian story that’s also told through the eyes of a young boy.
With a bright future ahead, JR Aristide will take center stage and introduce the world to Haitian
cinema while leaving a lasting impact on an entire community. The rise of Haitian talent in the entertainment industry is a testament to the country’s rich history and the resilience of its people. As more Haitian filmmakers/entertainers continue to make way, Haiti’s global influence will only continue to grow!
