Richard J. Arens is not too bad of a director. To my knowledge, he has helmed three movies thus far: Alelouya (which I thought was hilarious), and My Name Is (which I thought was monstrous), and of course Show Kola. It seems that following Show Kola Arens has gone to make Haiti Cherie: Wind of Hope. The trailer for that movie, doesn’t exactly look enticing.

Show Kola, his second released film, on the other hand, definitely deserves a look. It’s one of few ensemble cast Haitian movies that I’ve seen where one doesn’t lose sight of the characters, as the movie progresses. The movie’s 87 minutes or so, are divided (perhaps not too equally) between four friends: Kerby, Theo, Bob, and Donkey Mix.

Bob is a university psychology major with mommy issues. His mother abandoned the family some years ago, leaving his father in a catatonic state, and Bob himself in a permanent woman-hating mode. He’s romancing Barbara, his father’s goddaughter half-heartedly, but his eyes are elsewhere, roaming, and seeking some unsuspected females to devour.

Arens assembled some of the Haitian movie industry’s best young talents, and up-and-coming talents. In terms of established talent, Georges-Henri Beauvoir—who we have not seen since he starred as François in La Peur D’Aimer —is Kerby (actually he appeared for like 5 seconds in La Rebelle in the birthday party scene). Kerby is so bent on impressing the neighborhood useless pretty girl Christelle, that he misses the lovey-dovey stares and intentions of the long suffering Ingride.

Paul-Henry Athis—who made an impressive debut in La Face de L’Ombre, and went on to star in Les Couleurs de la Dignité— is Théo, the jealous boyfriend to Lourdes-Milla, played by the brilliant Nathalie Ambroise (of La Rebelle fame). Handy Tibert, who is one of the best young actors in the Haitian film industry (Barikad, La Victime), gave a credible performance as Donkey Mix, a deejay (the movie’s title is actually taken from the character’s radio show) who is in love with his boss Supplice (Marie-Yolène Félisma), but can’t bring himself to face the intimidating career woman.

Newcomers Rachéle Abraham (Christelle), and Francila Saintilus (Ingride), Marjorie François (Barbara) round off the well-put together cast. There were others too who appeared, however briefly, but who still made an impression Fritz-Gérald Emmy (as the perverted rapper Jay-C), Aristène Posnel (as the chain-smoking Djomeka), and Maxime Moise, as the man whose estrangement from his wife has led him to an overall mental and physical decline. The director himself has a cameo in the movie, as a disabled radio personality, and Hughette F. St Fleur and Schudson Boursiquot have some marginal roles, while Reginald Lubin appears as himself. At one point, there was a trailer of the movie with the actress (J)Gessica Geneus playing one of the leads, but she must not have made the final cut, or perhaps dropped out of the movie.

Oh, well. On with the movie.

The couples, or potential couples all somehow manage to quarrel prior to Valentine’s Day. But in true romantic comedy fashion, all is mended in time for love to triumph. It was quite ridiculous for Arens to give Ambroise the same lines that she had in La Rebelle as the rebellious Lorraine Dubois (“Je te signalle que c’est mon anniversaire.”). Did he think that we wouldn’t notice? Is there a shortage in dialogue land?
Overall though, with Show Kola, it’s obvious that Arens was trying to do something different, in terms of story, in terms of experimenting with structure and style, and in those aspects, he certainly succeeded. The plot could have been stronger, but most of the resolutions had meat on them.

If you’re part of Team Haiti, but have never heard of Haitian Husbands, then you’re probably a newbie to the Instagram game. Made up of two South Florida-based friends named James and Jonas, the comedic duo has been provoking laugh attacks, and funny bone inflammation everywhere with their daring jokes and pranks all captured for Instagram and Youtube. Many became acquainted with them through their widely-shared videos on Facebook, but now look forward to seeing their few-seconds-long comedy bits on Instagram. Hundreds have flocked to see them at their stand-up shows with fellow comedians.

That’s the what of Haitian Husbands. And the why? Haitian-Americans are connecting with one another on social media, and a common childhood is one of the things we all share. While not all Haitian-Americans may be able to identify with the jokes, enough do so that Haitian Husbands…boys…have been able to brand themselves as one of the mavens of Haitian-American comedy.

This is my interview with Jonas (also known as the one who’s bearded).

K. St. Fort: What made you get into comedy?

Well, since “lekol”, I was always that dezod kid who got suspended or in trouble for being the class clown. It came naturally to me, although normally I just don’t concern myself with comedy only. I’d rather look at myself as an “entertainer”.

K. St. Fort: Why the name Haitian Husbands?

We started just under two years ago by the name “Haitian Husbands of South Flowida”. It was originally intended as a web series on Youtube (you can still find it). There was originally four of us. [But] when the number got down to two (Jonas and James), we decided to just keep Haitian Husbands. It Sounded like nothing that was out there and allowed us to be original and different.

K. St. Fort: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you as a person?
Running down a hallway in the seventh grade…late to class. At that time, I still wore tidy whities—kalson. I ran too fast and fell and you could see all my kalson and a** just out in the open. I thought it was embarrassing at the time, but looking back on it I laugh.

K. St. Fort: What’s it like working with James?
I’ve known James for 20 Years now. I really couldn’t tell you [Laughter]. He’s like my right arm…always there. So you can only understand that we do have a share of disputes and disagreements. But when it’s all said and done, we make great work together.

K. St. Fort: Which comedians do you find to be the most inspiring?
I don’t see us as pure comedians. We do the comedy—as a form of entertainment that everyone will remember. I’ve always said, “You’ll always remember someone who made you laugh or smile”, Which is why we took the comedy first to the people. Also we see a lot of these “viral videos” and Instagram/Vine stars who do videos for their respective audience whether it be American, Spanish, Jamaican etc…We looked at it AND said, “What about the Haitians”?

K. St. Fort: As a comedy team, do you guys ever disagree as to what creative direction to go in with a project?

All [the] time…we’re arguing right now.

K. St. Fort: What can fans look forward to?
Web series and more web series, and more web series: “1804” and “Pilfer”. [Laughter] Won’t speak to much on that as of right now. [Smiles]

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HAITIAN HUSBANDS ON INSTAGRAM| CLICK TO VIEW HAITIAN HUSBANDS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE

Ever heard of Haitian American Productions? How about Haitian Husbands! Now, that’s a comedy team that brings a lot of laughter, giggles, guffaws and smiles. Helmed by Jonas and James—two friends based in South Florida—the comedic team has managed to build an online tribe (as Seth Godin would call it) consisting of 5.6K subscribers on Youtube, 36K subscribers on Instagram, and 69K likes on Facebook While a skeptic might say that online fame doesn’t necessarily produce offline fruit, Jonas and James have proven otherwise. They have gone on multi-city comedy tours with other comedians, and have founded their own production company Haitian American Productions. This May, they will be one of the headliners at the Haitian-American Pride Festival in Lauderhill, Florida. They will be teaming up will fellow comedians and frequent collaborators Plus Daddy, Zoe Poze, Chelo Chelo and Success Jr, for a spring tour that includes stops in New Jersey, Montreal, Philly, Boston and New York.

For Haitian Husbands, the key has been filling a void in Haitian-American comedy content. They’re certainly not the only Haitian-American comedians in the game, but their popularity has shown that there’s enough space for everyone, and that there’s a Haitian-American audience ravenous for content that mirror their experiences. In the episode “The Missionaries”, James and Jonas star as Chris and John two green, well-meaning missionaries who travel to Haiti to feed the little children—only to be misunderstood in the worst way by the locals. Haitian-American family life is what gets lampooned the most frequently by James and Jonas. In the skit entitled “A Haitian Thanksgiving“, multi-generational family members gather around the dinner table for a meal, but it’s what’s going on in their lives and the conflicting idealization of culture that leads to indigestion. And what about when that white American friend visits and dad is home? And the needy cousin from Haiti who calls dad and is always asking for things or a remittance?

In my interview with Jonas (CLICK HERE if you missed it), he made it clear that the team isn’t going to be complacent. Innovation is the mantra. The Haitian American Productions team has a web series in motion, and a whole lot more under their little fingernails. This time around it’s James’ turn. Let’s see what he had to say…By the way, James is the one without the beard.

K. St. Fort: What’s James…the team member behind the Haitian Husbands like?

Well, I’m a serious Dolphins fan. Phinphanatic. Season’s not going so well so I thought I’d get that out the way first. Love entertainment…film production is the passion…being able to create something and make someone’s day is a blessing and I appreciate it. Family-oriented. Hopefully, you can tell through the videos. But to sum it all up, easy-going guy who enjoys life to the fullest possible.

K. St. Fort: What made you get into comedy?

I was always a class clown throughout grade school and dare I say a bit of college. It’s just a knack that we decided to put on camera and ran with it. Put it this way: would you believe me if I told you maybe two percent of our videos are scripted?

K. St. Fort: I believe you. Do your parents ever see the videos you’ve made?

Yes, they have.

K. St. Fort: What’s usually their reaction?

They kind of chuckle…well my mom laughs, but my dad can see that I’m doing somewhat of a impression of him especially with the fact that I’m wearing his clothes and all…soooo yeah.

K. St. Fort: What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you as a person?

I farted in the church van on the way to a concert…only two windows worked.

K. St. Fort: Oh, man…What’s it like working with Jonas?

…No comment (Whispers) “He’s an asshole” [Clears throat]

K. St. Fort: Which comedians do you find to be the most inspiring?

Key and Peele, Kevin Hart, Bernie Mac, Dave Chappelle. Those guys are alright with me!

K. St. Fort: As a comedy team, do you guys ever disagree as to what creative direction to go in with a project? What do you do when those sort of situations arise?

All the time. It’s rare that we don’t, but that’s what makes the video what it is. I guess you can say it’s what pushes the envelope.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT HAITIAN HUSBANDS ON INSTAGRAM| CLICK TO VIEW HAITIAN HUSBANDS VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE| HAITIAN AMERICAN PRODUCTIONS ON FACEBOOK

Clearly, Boston-raised funny girl Charla Lauriston is an expert at multi-tasking. While her lips are cracking jokes, her hands are busy typing an outline for a show, and her mind’s pondering on her plans for the next day. This is how one has to operate to keep up with the swift pace of a life that includes frequent gigs at some of the nation’s most popular comedy venues, a hand at creating a successful web series (“Clench and Release”), and writing for several others, including Tina Fey’s hit series “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”.

K. St. Fort: So, what were you doing right before this interview?
Checking my email.

K. St. Fort: Did you feel pretty growing up?
I’m dark skinned and this is America, so no.

K. St. Fort: Hmmm. ​Some people who end up being comedians were either super-shy in high school, or were very, very extroverted. Which category did you fall in?
I was insanely shy until senior year when I started coming out of my shell.

K. St. Fort: You been to Haiti lately, girl?
I’ve never been back to Haiti since I left when I was four. It’s hard not to stay connected when my whole family is Haitian. I grew up going to Haitian churches, hanging out with my cousins. I still speak fluent creole. I promise I’m still super Haitian.

K. St. Fort: Tee hee…Lucille Ball, a comedian who lived in the 20th Century once said, “One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.” Comedy is not all laughter, of course. How do you stay positive during trying times?
I’m very introverted. I take some time to myself for a while then after I’ve had enough of that, I start reaching out to family and close friends. My family and friends are super supportive and always willing to listen and comfort me.

Above: Comedian Charla Lauriston at an OK Cupid show at Housing Works in Soho. Photo by Jing-Jing Hu

K. St. Fort: You attended Emmanuel College. Knowing all you know now, would you have skipped college and gotten right into comedy following high school?
Absolutely not. College made me who I am. It opened my eyes to the world, I learned how to be analytical, to question, I read things that changed my life. I made friends from other cultures and walks of life. I absolutely wouldn’t be who I am without college. I think the greatest inequality in America is the lack of equal access to higher education. I took on a lot of student loan debt to go to college which is the worst, so if I did it again, I just wouldn’t have gotten into so much debt. But either way, college was amazing.

K. St. Fort: Girl, I read that you had a job as a senator’s assistant, and decided to do comedy full-time. Girl, what did your parents say when they found out?
My mom was actually really supportive. My parents are super Haitian and conservative, but sometimes I think they’re secretly hippies. My mom knows me and knows that I hated every day job I ever had. She also knows I’m stubborn and strong willed and generally can’t be at a job that I hate. She told me her only fear was that I would struggle which I thought was such a beautiful mom thing to say. And I of course did struggle, but it was worth it.

K. St. Fort: You worked with the legendary comedienne Tina Fey—as a writer for the first-season of the show “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”. What are some of the most important lessons you learned during that period?
I felt really unworthy when I was there. I felt like I didn’t deserve such a great job with such great people, that I didn’t belong there, and that showed. I looked like a deer in headlights the whole time. I think that’s a dire mistake particularly for any woman of color when she goes into a job that’s intimidating. I learned that I gotta always fake it ’til I make it. If there’s something I don’t know now, I ask or I study it so I can be armed with knowledge. I remember they would use terms in the writers’ room or make references I didn’t know, and instead of asking or finding out, I’d just wallow in my ignorance because I thought lowly of myself. Always think highly of yourself. Not in an arrogant know-it-all way, but know that if you get to a certain level of success, it doesn’t matter if you deserve it or not. Seize the opportunity. Make sure to learn and soak up an much as you can. Don’t judge yourself for what you don’t know. Don’t get down on yourself. Remember that you’re the dopest b___ on the planet. They hired you for who you are, so be gloriously, unabashedly yourself.

K. St. Fort: You wrote, directed and produced your own series “Clench and Release”. What was it like on your most strenuous days?
The worst was when we shot at a coffee shop before they opened at 5am. I don’t do early well. Or late for that matter. I’m a 10am-8pm kind of person. Aside from the long days, I was so passionate about what I was doing, I hardly noticed how early it was or how late it was once I was doing it. Probably the most strenuous thing I did was I had to go pick up lights that I’d rented. I didn’t expect them to be insanely heavy but they were. I didn’t have a car and I was too broke to get a cab, so i dragged the lights onto the subway, rode up to Harlem, then called my roommate to help me carry the lights to our apartment. The struggle was real.

K. St. Fort: Is that something you’d like to do again?
Yes. I love creating my own thing.

K. St. Fort: A graduating high school senior comes up to you and asks you how she can break in to series comedy writing. What do you tell her?
I’d tell the person to start reading books on comedy writing, maybe take a sketch writing or TV writing class, start watching comedies she likes and try to break down the episodes, study your craft! Maybe take an improv class. Go to comedy shows—sketch, improv, and standup. Immerse yourself in it. Make it your life. And lastly, I’d tell her to stop asking for advice until she’s actually started getting involved. As a policy, I don’t give advice to people who have never actually tried doing anything because they don’t know what to ask for yet.

K. St. Fort: What are we to expect from you next?
That I’ll stay black.

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