Cristo Rey Movie

Last night, I went to see Cristo Rey, a fantastic Dominican-Haitian-French movie part of the Toronto Black Film Festival (taking place in from February 11 to 16). The story takes place in the Santo Domingo barrio of Cristo Rey - itself a major character of the film - and follows Janvier, a young Haitian-Dominican man. The movie markets itself as the caribbean version of Romeo and Juliet, referencing the love story that develops between Janvier and Jocelyn, the sister of Cristo Rey's drug lord . For me, it was the tumultuous relationship between Janvier and his half-brother Rudy that really got to me. Although they share the same father, Rudy looks down on him for being Haitian and eventually become jealous of Janvier's relationship with Jocelyn, whom he tried to date in the past.

Cristo Rey, behind the scenes 

Cristo Rey, trailer

Rudy's racism and denial of his own afro-caribbean identity, which is at the very core of the negative relationship he has with Janvier, mirrors the conflict between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Specially, of the deeply rooted prejudice and discrimination that Dominicans and their government (often) display against Haitians. Even Jocelyn had some reservations about Janvier before falling for him. This is a pretty strong theme throughout the movie:

"Todos los Haitianos se parecen, eso lo sabe todo el mundo" (All Haitians look a like, everybody knows that) - Rudy

"Si no fuera Haitiano, me lo daba" (If he wasn't Haitian, I'd tap that) - Jocelyn's friend

"Cuando [Jocelyn] era pequena, le metimos en la cabeza que un Haitiano se la iba a llevar" (When [Jocelyn] was small, we put in her head that a Haitian man was going to take her away) - El Baca 

Actors James Saintil and Akari Endo 

Janvier and Rudy never make up. However, Jocelyn and Janvier's love story, as well as the appreciation shown to Janvier by many people in the neighbourhood, despite the social pressure to treat Haitians like shit, provides some hope for a future of reconciliation between Haitians and Dominicans. In order for that to happen, I wonder if there doesn't need to be an active effort to reconstruct the Dominican Republic's afro-caribbean reality/identity? It's already happening, especially within the diaspora.

Before you answer that, I leave you with this very "Do-it-yourself" soundtrack. The movie is accompanied by some amazing tunes and I am sad that I couldn't find a more legit track list.

DIY Soundtrack

1. Bylo Ultimatum - Cristo Rey No Bulto

2. Big Mato - Cristo Rey 

3. Poeta Callejero - Bonita, Bonita 

3. Poeta Callejero - Un Loco Como Yo

4. El Alfa - Cacao* 

*IMPORTANTE: Si alguien sabe que es el Vaceo, me cuenta. xoxo

Rebeca in Haiti Volume III: Crossing the border to the Dominican Republic

Expatriates working in so-called high security or hardship posts are often compensated with more vacation days and higher salaries or pay allowances than their colleagues working in easier/safer locations. The extent of these depend on the organization or company but it seems to be the norm. More than perks, these benefits are put in place to guarantee that people will be able to handle the stress of living in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous location, often away from their families, and be able to successfully carry out their assignments. 

Most expats in Haiti told us that they needed to get away every three months in order to keep their sanity. It didn't have to be an extravagant trip but at least a hop across the border to spend a couple of days in the dominican republic. To enjoy the beach or maybe to experience more exotic pleasures unavailable in Haiti such as going to the movies or the mall...

When I joined my fellow intern, she had already been in Haiti for about 6 weeks and the country was still considered a hardship post. The designation remained so until the end of september. However, as interns we did not have access to the same benefits as legit expatriates do. As if being younger, and having less international experience would exempt you from going insane! On the contrary... I guess the logic was that we wouldn't need to take days off since we were only going to be there for 6 months. However, when September came around, I could sense that the combination of our lack of privacy, not being able to walk around alone, curfews, and transportation issues were starting to get to us. It wasn't as bad for me as for my fellow intern who had gone over the 3 month mark.

Playa Diamante in the Dominican Rep.

Our supervisors were more than happy to give us a couple of days off. Initially, we had thought about maybe visiting to other islands nearby but travelling within the caribbean is crazy expensive! In the end, we booked a trip to the Dominican Republic for the first week of october. Taking the recommendation of some friends, we decided to check out the capital Santo Domingo, and "Cabarete" in the North Coast. My friend came to meet us from New York and we had such a crazy, fun Holiday together. Cabarate is kind of a weird place in that it seems to have become a refuge for retired european adventure travellers who might or might not be running away from the law and young people who are really water sports. Maybe in relation to that, it is sadly also a hot spot for prostitution.  On that cheerful note, do scroll down for pictures...

*Santo Domingo*

We first stayed in a pretty awesome and super cheap Hostel called "Condominium Parque" and on our way back, we stayed in a Hotel called Paseo Colonial, which was pretty grim. We only spent 2 nights there but it was nice. We got to go to the movies, do some shopping, eat some mangu, and some orange juice with leche condensada. Pretty solid place.

Pedestrian Shopping Street in Old Town

Louisa, fellow intern, housemate, and friend

Old Town

Old Town

Kittie!

Kelsey :) my friend who came from NYC

Louisa

the town

*Cabarete*

We stayed in this awesome hostel called Cabarete Surf Camp where we met all these weird, awesome people. We divided our 5 days there between surf lessons in the morning, massages at the beach in the afternoon, food, and drinks in the evenings. It was great.

Surf at Playa Encuentro

Surf, playa encuentro

Surf camp

Kelsey

Cabarete

Cabarete, wind surf is huge there

Playa Diamante 

Cabarete

Surf in Cabarete is also pretty good

Relaxing

Cabarete

When we came back, it was incredible how much that little week reinvigorated us. Personally, I never actually felt like I needed a break, I only realized how much I needed it when I returned and saw my productivity and well-being increase significantly. Ironically, what kept stressed me out in Haiti were more the security restriction rather that any actual danger that I encountered. Going to the dominican and feeling free to go anywhere, while not having such a drastic change in scenery allowed me to recharge batteries. I guess never underestimate the power of a vacation!