George Jiha does it all. He’s a soundtrack composer. He is a poet (check out his collection of poetry When Love Takes Hold: A Poetic Dip. He’s most known as a filmmaker and screenwriter. His first film A Sensible Obsession a romantic thriller was the independent film world’s first introduction to his work.
His romantic comedy Café Au Lait, Bien Sucré (Coffee and Milk, With Lots of Sugar) marked the first time he made a film specifically for the Haitian-American market. In the film, medical school student Manoucheka Joseph and accountant Alain—two Haitians of differing shades—fall in love. Both of their families have been scarred by the color wars that have affected Haiti throughout its history, and they don’t exactly see a bright future for their son and daughter.
The Way of Love, Jiha’s latest film is intended for a more mainstream audience, but it’s message of unselfish love will strike a chord with those who are suckers for a good romantic love story.
Tell us about yourself.
I was born in Cap-Haitien, Haiti where my parents owned three movie theaters. During my early childhood, I spent most of my free time either watching movies or trolling the projection booths for film scraps which I put together as slide shows for friends and family. My first movie slide show came about when I was only seven years old. At sixteen, I directed my first play. At seventeen, I was already a professional DJ. Throughout my years in secondary school, my favorite subject was French Literature with Rousseau and Moliere as my favorite authors. I then went to the University of Miami where I graduated with Honors in Film and Theater. And I’ve been working in the movie industry since then.
Do you remember the first film that made an impression on you?
Many films made an impression on me. I was always mesmerized by the big screen as a child. But I do remember the first Jesus movie I saw. I was crying throughout especially when Jesus was speaking. I then realized how powerful the medium was. How it could not only touch your intellect but your soul as well.
Your film Café au Lait, Bien Sucré touched upon a subject that culturally isn’t talked about much among Haitians, that of skin shade, skin color prejudice among Haitians. Did you just get up out of the blue one day and decide that you would undertake such a subject?
It’s a subject I always wanted to tackle. Being light-skinned myself, I did encounter some prejudice growing up in Haiti. So that was not only my source of inspiration but the key factor in determining to board such a sensitive subject as well. That’s why I made it into a comedy. As a drama it’d have been too serious and too touchy and the risk of offending would have been astronomical – and that was not the intent. The intent was to make light of the matter since prejudice is really idiotic. The feedback from the Haitian community has been 100% positive. Everybody I met just loved this movie. When I meet Haitians who don’t know personally me, I use Café Au Lait, Bien Sucré as a starting point of our conversation and right away since they know the movie, they feel comfortable talking to me as if they already knew me. Working with the cast was a pleasure. Everybody was always on time and thanks to that we finished on time and on schedule. Writing the script also was a breeze because I was delving into a subject that I knew quite well and as they say ‘always write about what you know’. So I did. And since I love comedy it was even more fun. I accomplished everything I wanted with Café Au Lait Bien Sucré except making a profit. Unfortunately, that’s why I do not foresee making another Haitian movie because sadly there’s not a profitable market for it.
Do you think that this is a topic you’ll be revisiting either in fiction form, or perhaps a documentary?
Yes, I do foresee revisiting the subject. I currently have a script on that subject, comedy of course, but targeted at the wider American market. When will it be done? I don’t know. Time will tell. It’s a tough business. Studios only want done what they want done, not what the writer wants. So, we’ll see.
Actors Pasha Brandt and Milca Volny in a scene from Café Au Lait, Bien Sucré, a George Jiha film that explored color prejudice among Haitians.
You have a new project called The Way of Love. What inspired it?
My Christian faith. The Way of Love focuses on one of my favorite themes—sacrificial love. I put my characters squarely in situations where a sacrifice of some sort must occur and love is the catalyst that usually pushes them to the brink of a decision.
What filmmakers do you look up to?
There are so many good filmmakers nowadays. That would have been an easier question to answer when I was much younger, but now there are so many talented filmmakers that the idea of choosing just one never really occurred to me. However, recently I saw this movie called The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick. I was blown away by how little dialogue the movie had and how Terrence Malick got his point across by only showing us images. His subject was also on Faith & God. And he accomplished it in such a visceral way that I don’t know many directors alive today who could get that done.
As someone who has not only directed, but has also written and produced his own projects, what words of wisdom do you have to share with aspiring filmmakers?
Get out of the business. Unless, you have another career and doing this part-time or you know someone who really loves you, who’s already in the business and is willing to vouch for you and introduce you to that tiny group of decision makers. Or you have millions of dollars. Or you do little projects that won’t make you money and hopefully you’ll break even while keeping your day job. That’s the reality.
George Jiha gives directions to his actors on the set of his inspirational romance The Way of Love.
Do you think that writing, producing and directing can be overwhelming? You tend to do it for all of your projects.
That’s a question or comment I always get. However, I never feel that it’s overwhelming. To me, it comes naturally. I always say that these things are God’s gifts to me. Since I don’t have millions to produce my projects, I use my God-given talents to redress the economic factor. Thank God for that. Otherwise, I would not get any project done. Because I also serve as Director of Photography, editor, production designer, music producer, music composer sometimes, casting director sometimes; basically being able to do whatever is needed when you don’t have the budget.
Is film school an absolute must in having a successful career in film?
No. No. No. Buy a camera. They’re cheap now. Buy an editing software. They’re cheap too. And get cranking. Make short films over and over until you get over the fear or whatever is holding you back. However what you need first is a God-given talent; then, plenty of practice and lots of patience. These you don’t get in film school. Film school is a waste of money, unless you have plenty of it and want to use the school system in LA or New York to meet future potential filmmakers and then get internship in major companies.
Your first film was a thriller-romance-drama entitled Obsession. When you look back to that time in your life, do you think that based on all the things that you know now about you art, you would do some things differently? If so, which?
Not really. The one thing I wish I had then was a digital camera. It’s so much cheaper, easier and leaner using digital. Otherwise, I’m quite happy with the film the way it turned out. However, I’m currently re-releasing A Sensible Obsession on DVD and renaming it To Love a Woman along with the DVD of The Way of Love as part of The Love Collection. I’m also releasing a book of poetry I wrote called When Love Takes Hold. All three items are available at Holy Flix.
What’s next for you, post-The Way of Love?
Not sure really. It’s a tough business to get a hold on. I take it day by day now. It takes one day for one’s landscape to change. So I’m learning to roll with things day by day.
Do you think that there are elements that are essential to making a film great?
First, talent. Second, talent. Third, talent. Fourth, love of the medium. Fifth, for success, luck—lots of it.
You can visit The Way of Love movie website HERE. You can purchase Café Au Lait, Bien Sucré HERE.
