A tent, mud and a fake kitchen table, this is part of a series close to the reality that thousands of Haitians after the deadly earthquake of January. Entitled "Under Heaven", this series, which has planted his film set in a camp survivors, is to broadcast messages to practical purpose but also distract the 1.5 million Haitians homeless.
Friday, shooting the third episode, which was to focus on securing shelter against weather of the rainy season was interrupted by flooding and power outages. The Haitian-American filmmaker Jacques Roc has decided to take the risk of turning into a camp of Port-au-Prince vulnerable to flooding in order to get as close to reality as experienced by refugees.
"It are many things happening in the camps and when there is, one realizes ", says he.
This drama tells the story of a family who found refuge in a camp for survivors after the devastating earthquake of January 12. Actors in Haiti known as Junior Metellus, 35, played in the series, which mixes comedy, drama and educational messages. The initial goal of the creators was to portray a family of middle class to show that the disaster affects all segments of Haitian society.
"All those in the tents do not come from an environment modest. Some had a house, and some still have their car " says Jacques Roc, who settled in the United States at the age of 14 years and studied filmmaking at New York University.
Each of the 16 episodes of 15 minutes discusses a topic determined by the UN mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, which is behind the project and finance the $ 6,000 it costs each episode. Officials of the UN force of 9,000 men hope that the series will provide useful information to victims on survival in difficult conditions and will also provide a distraction.
"In the evening, it provides entertainment and a way to communicate information that is useful" said David Wimhurst, spokesman for MINUSTAH. The topics covered include safety, prevention of violence, registration of camp residents and any other danger or challenge that the earthquake survivors are facing.
The series is broadcast on outdoor screens in a dozen refugee camps and six TV stations in Haiti. It may also be downloaded and distributed on YouTube channels of the Haitian diaspora United States.
When the UN mission gives the theme of a new episode, the team writes Jacques Roc, turns and climbs a few days. The first two episodes were broadcast just hours after being completed.
Episode 3 was to be shot Friday. Civil Security had issued a flood warning, but the team still has the soap opera won the set, located in a camp on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. Torrential rains flooded the area and filming has been delayed.
The next day, the camp residents of Port-au-Prince had to settle for a replay of the 2nd episode. But no one complained of the dozen people gathered in the rain around the screen installed in the Champ de Mars, near the presidential palace collapsed.
"Once (the weekend arrives), that's when I just pass the time" says Luknor, 19. "They come with big screen to show us what is happening in the country" . Luknor said he learned from the first episode of "Under the sky" than return to his home, near the main football stadium in the capital, would be dangerous for his family.
Although evoked by the plight of the country, the series is willing to humor, which partly explains its success, according to Jacques Roc. "Haitians love comedy, they laugh like" says the director. "Even if it's serious, they need to laugh in one way or another" .
(Source: AP)
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