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About The Film
Background

Political intrigue, corruption, drug smuggling, international power struggles, covert militias trained and funded by shadowy figures, and a seemingly never-ending series of policy blunders: these are the themes that describe Haiti ’s recent history with the U.S. Through the perspective of two administrations’ handling of Haiti , we can see why the U.S. has difficulty in implementing the export of democracy, and building respect for human rights. The music and mystery of Haiti will provide a frame through which we will see what took place in the recent change of government in Port-Au-Prince . From a wide variety of sources in Haiti, including the deposed Aristide government, the insurgents, and the US embassy, we attempt to unravel the violent events leading to the February 29th departure of President Aristide.
The Film

"Failing Haiti" is a one-hour High-Definition documentary produced in 2004 and 2005 and released in November 2005. The film seeks to examine why international efforts continue to fail to make a difference in the lives of Haitians. Interviews with key political players in Haitian and U.S.-Haitian politics provide insight into why Haiti has suffered misgovernance for so long. Archive footage of key events is intercut with recent footage of political demonstrations, UN activities, urban and rural daily life, and Vodou festivals. "Failing Haiti" explores the end of Jean-Bertrand Aristide's presidency, and the role of the U.S. in his February 2004 ouster.

This film is a story about the continuing tragedy of Haiti . While this program does not profess to know the solutions to these problems, one thing is clear: whatever the foreign community does with Haiti , it needs to be different than what has been tried in the past. After the departure of Aristide, international governments and lending institutions have pledged $1.4 billion to help rebuild Haiti . This isn't the first time this has been tried. The U.S. and other governments, under the umbrella of the UN, also attempted it following the restitution of Aristide to power in 1994. That effort failed. Now observers wonder if anything will be different a second time around. Has the West learned anything from its failures in Haiti ? Has Haiti learned anything from its own internal failings? "Failing Haiti" seeks to answer these questions.
Key Interviews:

Jean Baptiste Chavannes, Peasant Leader and Political Organizer

Patrick Elie, Former Security Chief for Aristide

Roger Noriega, Former Assistant Secretary of State

James Foley, Former U.S. Ambassador to Haiti (2003-2005)

Dean Curran, Former U.S. Ambassador to Haiti (2000-2003)

Tim Carney, Former U.S. Ambassador to Haiti (1998-2000)

Gerard Latortue, Interim Prime Minister of Haiti

Ira Kurzban, Attorney for Former President Aristide

Casimir Chariot, former Presidential Security guard for Aristide

Bob Maguire, Head of the Haiti Program at Trinity College

Jonas Petit, Lavalas Spokesperson

Guy Philippe, Rebel Leader

Ravix Remissainthe, Rebel Army Commander

Ruben Oliva, Attorney for Jacques Ketant, former Haitian drug lord

Andy Apaid, leader of Group 184 and Haitian business leader

 Selected Locations:

Scenes from July's Saut d'eau festival

Footage of UN Patrols in Cite Soleil and Bel-Air

Rare footage of Aristide in 1988 leading mass at Saint-Jean Bosco Church

Still photographs and video from January 2004 uprising in Gonaives

Aerial footage of Port-Au Prince

Footage of political demonstrations

A look inside Cite Soleil and BelAir

Other sequences shot in Gonaives, Jacmel and rural Haiti.