Standing at 5’6, Easher Parker has sparkling doe eyes, glistening white teeth that makes one think that she wouldn’t have to audition for a toothpaste commercial, lips that look like they’ve been dipped and moistened in strawberry juice, and a face that brightens like it’s lit by Utopian sunshine. But make no mistake, there’s more to Miss Turks and Caicos than beauty pageant grins. She’s not some simpleton whose only saving grace was being blessed with good looks.

The daughter of a Haitian mother and father, Parker outshone dozens of other girls for the prestigious title of Miss Turks and Caicos 2011 and went to represent the island in Brazil last summer. An avid reader, she enjoys juicy historical fiction in the vein of The Other Boleyn Girl, and has a love for the visual arts.

Like other forward-thinking beauties who’ve won pageants, she’s planning her next move, and judging from her determination, intelligence, and spunk, you had better believe that earning the title of Miss Turks and Caicos will not be the only highlight of her life.

Q&A

As a beauty queen, how would you define beauty?
Beauty to me is probably one of the most undefined words known to man. Everyone has their own perception of what it is. This can range from physical appearance to personality traits —but to those like me—beauty is when an individual can embrace who they really are, flaws and all while taking on the world with a positive, impacting and confident attitude.

Would you say you had a nice childhood?
I have nothing about my childhood to complain about; however, things were pretty hostile in my parents’ household at the time. I am glad I was spared the nightmare experiences and had a mom to take care of me, but that doesn’t change the fact that I faced neglect. The difference with me is that I accepted that it happened. I learned that it is I who determines my happiness and that no one can take that from me unless I allow it. My past has helped define who I am today. I don’t think I would be as passionate about the prevention and awareness against child abuse had I not gone through it in some shape, way or form.

What’s the best thing about being Haitian?
Everything. There is nothing I like more for the other. I must say however, the distinctive sarcasm and humor that Haitians have does come in handy when I want to cheer someone up!

You represented Miss Turks and Caicos as the Miss Universe pageant.
I had such a blast on my trip to Sao Paulo Brazil. I enjoyed getting to know the girls and found it so interesting that we all had a lot in common and could relate to each other judging by the fact that we all came from different cultures at every corner of the globe. I actually celebrated my 20th [birthday] while there. Had the biggest cake!

How did you get started in beauty pageants?
A friend of mine one summer when I was about fifteen years old entered a pageant and because we were the type to do everything together I entered too. The twist? She ended up not being able to continue her participation and I ended up being the only one out of the two of us to compete. I don’t even think I did well that year.

What advice do you have for the next young lady who will carry on the torch for next year?
Follow your heart in everything that you do. That’s something I tell every individual who has their eyes set on a goal. Remember to surround yourself with positive people who you know you wouldn’t mind becoming and yes, even if it’s a former beauty queen!

How has life changed for you since you’ve been elected Miss Turks and Caicos?
I’ve become a more tolerant, patient and humble individual. In the world of pageantry, you are sometimes faced with difficulties that can either make you or break you. Lucky for me, I’ve managed to break through each and every challenge!

You must have big plans for your future.
I wouldn’t call them big plans, but for the time being I want to continue to pursue a career in media and hopefully realize my long-term goal of launching a website highlighting the issues of child abuse in the Turks and Caicos, which will feature mini webisodes and interactive content.

Now you were born in Turks and Caicos, but your parents are from Haiti.
Yeah, they are; but they’ve known Turks and Caicos all their lives as well, literally. I think what kept the culture vibrant with them was the traveling back and forth to Haiti over the years and family ties of course.

What’s the first thing you plan to do when you make your first trip to Haiti?
Shop at a Ti mache! I love those; you find the coolest things when you keep a keen eye. I’m a vintage fashion junkie and Ti Mache always has something of my interest.

When did you first become aware of your Haitian identity?
I always knew! I grew up speaking Creole and under Haitian parenting. I played more with my Haitian relatives and initially befriended Haitians during my childhood. As far as my command of the language, I just decided to repeat French terminology the elders and country side people used to improve my Kreyòl.

How is Haitian identity in Turks and Caicos? How are Haitians perceived there?
Haitians here are distinguished as one of the working Diasporas. Although the locals are upset about some pressing issues surrounding Haitian immigrants, I have to give them their props for trying to make a way and wanting to work. No matter how annoying some Haitians get, they’re all a proud and working set.

You mentioned that you want to raise awareness about child abuse in Turks and Caicos. What would you say it’s like right now?
Child abuse is something that is swept under the rug, like many other issues in the Turks & Caicos. I’m no specialist, but I think one factor is due to the many different cultures that make up the overall sociology towards it. For example, Haitian parents typically use the belt. To them, it would sound ludicrous to hear that constantly using that method would have more [undesirable] effects other than making children behave. Turks Island parents have a tendency to be verbally harsh with their children. Most don’t want to hear that sometimes; they go overboard and end up verbally abusing a child. In most cases, parents don’t even realize that they do it.

Will you eventually set up a non-profit to help that cause, or are you planning on working with any organizations?
I have thought about it on a number of accounts but I’m the type of person that likes to get my ducks in a neat row before I take on a project. In the meantime I work with CAPAA TCI which stands for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Association. Hopefully, I can establish something for the youths of TCI in the near future.

Do you feel that people are intimidated by you?
Not to sound like someone with an inflated ego, but yes, I do think I am intimidating sometimes, but in a good way. I have had countless of individuals admit to being intimidated by me, most say it’s because I come across as serious and hard to approach. The humor in it all, is that I’m extremely bubbly and was clueless to this fact for a while.

What are you most grateful for?
Just for the fact that I am able to take another breath each day. To me, life itself is a blessing. If I wasn’t blessed with another day, another year all my life, it’s obvious I wouldn’t have all the opportunities and wonderful experiences that I’ve had.

Photos: Kazz Forbes

Ralf Rho hails from Les Cayes, Haiti and came to the United States when he was sixteen. Following his graduation from high school, the Catholic school system-educated young man attended the University of Massaschussetts Dartmouth, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Following graduation, Rho begun a lustrous career as a public servant.

Two years ago, he founded the Kanari Foundation and in addition to sitting on that foundation’s board of directors, he is also active in many local charitable organizations throughout the City of New Bedford, Massachussetts. The married father of two says he ran for a municipal post and lost by one vote, and currently works as an analyst at the Office of New Bedford Mayor, William Flanagan.

So, you attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and selected Political Science as your major. Most students who major in Political Science usually do so with the intention of becoming attorneys. Was that the case with you?

Yes, conventional wisdom commands Political Science majors to attend law school. Yet, I have personally learned with such degree one becomes the architect of his destiny. Though I do cultivate the aspiration of being an attorney, I also contemplate being a physician assistant serving humanity in a meaningful way.

If you were the motivational speaker for the day at an event where it was half high school seniors and half college new graduates, but you had to make a speech that had to appeal to both groups, what would you say?

At this point in life you all have one thing in common: the future. Each one of you reserves the power to mold it to precision. No matter what path you choose there are three things that will guarantee your success: purpose, planning and persistence.

At this point, you are an Analyst at the office of Mayor William Flanagan. What steps did you take to go from college graduate to such a career?

I first joined the City of Fall River as an intern in the Office of Mayor William A. Flanagan. Shortly after, I was promoted to oversee the Building Blocks Initiative, which focused on neighborhood revitalization projects, involving aspects of public administration and law. Currently, I am an Analyst serving in a liaison capacity between the Office of Mayor William A. Flanagan, the Community Development Agency, City Departments, the Attorney General’s office and various neighborhood organizations.

Do you think that there’s going to be a time when formal post-secondary education is going to be obsolete?

Though it’s difficult for us to realize, I think the design of traditional post-secondary education is already being obsolete. This emerging era of science and technology has revolutionized learning. We just don’t learn the same ways anymore. Our generation is responding more to online resources outside of physical boundaries once imposed by post-secondary institutions. This alone is a huge disruption of education that warrants a complete remodeling of post-secondary teaching.

What would you say is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about leadership?

Very early in my career I have learned that leadership is collaboration. It is all about creating the conditions of service that inspire others to be a productive member of the team, to move outside comfort zones, to grow beyond present limitations, circumstances and hurdles of any current position.

You’re the founder of the Kanari Foundation. Tell us more about this initiative.

I founded the Kanari Foundation, Inc with a mission to target students from disadvantaged backgrounds in Haiti to foster their literacy skills, leadership and university readiness. The aim is to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of education through a commitment to scholarships, mentoring programs, academic decathlon, study groups and other learning activities. Through the organization we have been able to provide a significant number of critical educational services to Haitian youths in response to the needs of extreme poverty.

Anything in particular that sparked the idea?

I truly believe that our generation bears the obligation to elevate the unfortunate, not only in Haiti, but all around the world to a comfortable degree of self-reliance. And to build that shift from poverty to sustainable existence one must begin with a first-class education. It is for these reasons I strongly endorse Kanari Foundation’s mission to help students attend schools only in the best network of educators.

When was the last time you took a trip to Haiti?

I visit Haiti every year. Sometimes twice a year… I last traveled there in September 2013.

Before you make an important decision, what factors do you usually consider?

I evaluate the impacts associated with each alternative. I revisit my own experiences to find potential answers. Then I involve many stakeholders to generate more solutions.

And what’s the one thing you’ve learned about taking risks?

The greater our calculated risks are, the larger their dividends.

Time is money. Money is time. Or so, we have all heard! How do you make the most productive use of your time?

Yes, this tenet holds true in the financial sphere. But I find that time I spend in public service carries more of moral rewards. Hence, to make the most productive use of my time I set daily goals, prioritize what needs to be done, stick to the plan and manage the interruptions. This stability helps me stay on top of my game!

A family member is often the first self-help guru we encounter, and sometimes without realizing it. What would you say is the most valuable lesson taught to you by either parent?
My father taught me the power of giving without expecting in return. He was a pastor, an advocate for social causes volunteering time and financial resources to make our neighborhood in Haiti a better place. Because of him helping people becomes more than an easy gift. It is a compulsion that inhabits my heart and in whatever sector of life I serve, I become distinguished by this willingness to invest my all for the good of those in need.

Some people’s lives have changed just from reading a book. If you could pinpoint a book that has helped guide your life, what would you say it was? What did you learn from it?

The Bible. It inspires me adhere to a more sound faith and an unwavering determination in life.

What should we expect from you in the future?

To be an elected official in New Bedford.

Learn more about Ralf Rho’s foundation by CLICKING HERE. Be sure to visit his website by CLICKING HERE.

For some, his movie Pluie D’Espoir is by far, one of the best movies to have come out of Haiti, but director-screenwriter-producer Jacques Roc continues to pound the pavement, looking for new ways to depict Haiti on the screen, albeit in a positive manner. Roc was recently an honoree at the Motion Picture Association of Haiti’s first edition of the Haitian Movie Awards in Boston for being a model of excellence in his field.

Many know about his movie, which was screened at the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival some years back—and more recently at the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival—but very few know the man behind the camera, or that he was a musician first and foremost, the way Jean-Léopold Dominique was an agronomist before he became a journalist. Currently in Haiti, juggling different projects, including his sitcom series and his screenplays, Mr. Roc was kind enough to respond to our request for an interview.

Now you started out as a commercial director.
I was a music director for Roy Eaton Music, writing and producing jingles. Was fascinated by the cinema industry since I was eleven years old. Had my first dark room at the age of twelve and developed black and white pictures for all my friends at school. I also did my first Super 8 movie when I was fourteen. It was probably what started the motion. Then of course, music took over and I became this guitar player in a band named Les As Noirs. Later on in New York, I was teaching Dadou Pasquet [a famed musician in the legendary Haitian band Magnum Band] how to play great guitar. He certainly did very well. As a music director in New York, I had the opportunity to create great track for the commercials being shot by professionals. I went to NYU and started my film career.

Do you have a background in theater?
Yes. Somewhat. Studied Berthol Bretch and Samuel Becket. Enjoyed his “Waiting for Godot”. And worked some time ago with the Troupe Quidor…Syto Cavé [Alan Cavé’s theatre veteran dad] and Hervé Denis [late pioneer in Haitian theater]. Wrote a couple plays, but it didn’t go further than that.

Nearly all the actors in your film were first-timers. How did you manage to get such great performances out of them?
Working in Haiti taught me a lot about the Haitian inner talent. They only need a good director. I have found out that it was much easier if they didn’t have previous acting [experience]. Love to make actors out of them. But I did find some good ones, like Lionel Benjamin and Claudine Oriol. Sandra Rabrun did a radio spot with me and showed that she could act.

The international media has reported that you were involved in directing a series based on the lives of the 2010 earthquake survivors.
After the earthquake, having missed death four times, I thought my place was in Haiti to bring relief in some form to the displaced people in the camps. Therefore, we started doing free outdoor projections in the camps. Later on came the idea, with the support of MINUSTAH [an international peace-keeping task force stationed in Haiti], to create a sitcom of a family living in the tent city, as a vehicle to disseminate public information and civic educative films. We went along and produced 20 public service announcements, one on domestic violence, drugs, illegal use of guns, kidnapping etc. We had played that one [the one for domestic violence] for mother’s day as a gift to all women who do not deserve to be violated.

Now as someone who is accustomed to directing splashy commercials and music videos, why did you choose to have such a simple story as the subject for your first feature film?
The simple story as you call it…is quite the fundamentals of our culture. I was always very impressed by the quality of life in the countryside and the moral of the peasants. I had many friends in Chalon when I was gowning up in Miragoane during the summer months. Writing the story was a tribute to their type of moral values and great mentality. Their kindness at all times and their coffee making and offering: “Vwazen wa-p pran ti kafe a?” It was always with a smile!

Everyone is excited about your next project. Or should we say projects. Can you tell us about them?
The very first thing I want to say to you regarding the next projects is the following: Not until everyone has seen the final version of Pluie d’Espoir will our other projects start. The scripts are written and as I said the productions will start after the release of the final version of Pluie d’Espoir. Next year for sure. We have many projects: Children Without a God. Prisoner of Ti Goave and Emilia. You will be hearing about them soon. We also are doing other project to help educate the Haitian population by creating and producing our own TV show for our giant 12 x16 foot screens via our broadcast division Telemobil. It’s called Lekomobil. We will be using this show to teach kids Alphabet like “Sesame Street” did.

Tell us about Jacques Roc the man.
I grew up in Carrefour Feuilles and spent my summer vacations in the little town of three major streets of Miragoane. I admire perfection and jazz music and true love. I love too deeply and get hurt too often. [So] I became passionate about perfection and my work.

My first mentor was Lionel Derenoncourt, nicknamed Nono, who taught me photography when I was twelve. [I want] to leave a legacy of better communicative tools to all the children of Haiti. Teach as many as we can how to read and be heard.

What kind of childhood did Jacques Roc have?
A somewhat terrible childhood—until I discovered music. How to play the guitar. It became my soul mate. My Dad disappeared when I was six, under the regime of the Duvaliers. My mom had a hard time raising six children. But being in a musical band saved my life.

What do you hope to accomplish through your movies?
Send as much messages as I can, when I can have an audience looking and listening; well, if you don’t do that, you waste all your effort. Our role as filmmakers is to create hope and through fantasy we can accomplish that and much more. Hope drives the mind to become stronger and to not only survive but to struggle to the end of the tunnel. Pluie d’Espoir was meant to show the millions of Haitian youngsters that all they needed was hope and confidence to make it in this tough world.

You worked with these actors in Pluie d’Espoir. What are your thoughts on their performances and their futures?
Junior Metellus turned out to be an excellent actor with versatility and brought my ideas to life. Working with him was challenging but worth it. He also had to get into the characters at random since the scenes were shot in that manner. Sandra Rabrun I knew she had talent and would be pleasant to work with since she had already done a radio spot for me for the NY City Department of Health. Lionel Benjamin was the first known Haitian actor I worked with in a couple of TV commercials I had shot in Haiti for Nissan. I though he was very talented as an actor.

Claudine Oriol was coached by the same teacher who taught Denzel Washington and came from LA with lots of credentials. She was great. Powerful. Christian Sajous? As an old friend of mine, since we were 12 years, Jean Christian Sajous was the lead actor in my first Super 8 silent film I did when I was 16 in New York. Of course he was a natural from day one.

Now the actress Ginou Mondesir, the female co-lead died tragically, beaten to death by a significant other. Are you planning on writing a movie or a documentary on domestic violence?
I have already. And will do more on different angles of this issue. We need to teach a lot of Haitian men how to treat women with respect.

We’ve read that after the actress’s death, you took the responsibility for the education of her surviving son.
Somewhat. We committed a percentage of the profits of the movie to his education.

Why do you think Pluie d’Espoir was such a success?
It dealt with a lot of taboos and how reality should be. The only time we show superiority was when we referred to intelligence as Toussaint becoming educated. A man shouldn’t run off and disregard the true essence of love. Toussaint never cheating on his wife made a lot of sense to most women, since they are usually more faithful than men.

The burning question that everyone has for you is this: when will Pluie d’Espoir be released on DVD? And what can we expect after having to wait for it for so long?
I must thank you for asking. It’s people like you that keep my spirit up! Pluie d’Espoir was pirated so be it! But now, we are going to release it on DVD and with a limited edition signed and numbered. With a beautiful book of pictures from the entire production shoot.

You also do your own casting for your movies. How do you decide the suitability of an actor or actress for a role?
Casting is something I enjoy doing because it takes me to the culture of understanding what the actor I have created in my vision should look like. When I meet the potential actor, I can sense his talent even before the audition. That is the basis of my (how to choose my talent). It may take me more time to find one lead actor. Like in Pluie d’Espoir, it took me six months to find Junior Metellus. The others did not take us as long.

Do you ever get the urge to direct music videos again?
Of course and I will. I just wouldn’t be interested in cheap HD musical video productions. Nothing beats filmmaking and real film. Super 16, 35 and Super 35. Negative transfer is where the essence of music video is.

Some critics have accused you of having an unrealistic plot in Pluie D’espoir. What are your thoughts on that?
Ah ahahah! People or critics shouldn’t even be criticizing because they don’t know what the real deal is. Critics write their criticism according to their own experience and never criticize the white man when he makes a car climb the Empire State Building or land a chopper on top of a tall building without a landing pad.

They tend to forget the real reality of the many Haitians who have left the country in the 60’s and never to return until ten, fifteen years later. Toussaint was a real character I knew when I was twelve years old and because of my clever guitar playing I was welcomed in all of his many Sandwich shops to eat for free. He made fortune within three years and left for the USA.

Many Haitians made fortunes in the country in a short period of time and to this day history is repeating itself. The critics shouldn’t stay biased and limited to their own conditions without looking around and deeply into the nouveau rich…how they made their money. In the US, stores hire salesmen to move their business, but in Haiti, people just sell to retailers without having salesmen to pay. Think about that. By the way this part that the critics didn’t quite get…they would easily [see it] if they had seen the final version of the movie, because one scene explains it. Or more like Philippe the entrepreneur explains to Toussaint how to make the money. If I were a critic, I would wait to have read the entire book before I write about it.

What Haitian actors and actresses do you hope to work with in the future?
Stanley Mathéus, Gessica Généus, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Benz Antoine and Elizabeth Alphonse who has played in my sitcom “Anba Syèl La”. By the way the new season of the sitcom starts soon.

Does Haitian cinema have a future?
I certainly believe that but contrary to what Mr. Arnold Antonin [fellow Haitian movie director] thinks: “Haitians can never make film like Hollywood”. I disagree because, yes we can. It’s not [about]how many special effects [scenes] in our films, we are creating science fictions, if we go back in time in the thirties…some black and white movies were outstanding. We can make movies just like Hollywood.

What is in store for Haitian literature’s future? Several experts approached by Kreyolicious.com to tackle the subject have their say.

On board is Dr. Martin Munroe, the Director of the Winthrop-King Institute for Contemporary French and Francophone Studies and a Professor of French at Florida State University; Elsie Augustave, the author of The Roving Tree and MJ Fievre, the author of half a dozen books, and the editor of the anthology So Spoke the Earth. Edwidge Danticat, an award-winning author of more than a dozen books, shares her thoughts. Dr. Myriam Chancy, an award-winning writer, and former professor at Vanderbilt University and the author of Framing the Silence: Revolutionary Novels by Haitian Women and The Scorpion’s Claw, also gives her take. Lastly, we have Marie-Therese Thomas Labossiere, the author of Clerise of Haiti, a novel.

Do you see exile and immigration playing less and less of a role in Haitian literature as time goes by?

DR. MARTIN MUNROE: I think this is true, especially in relation to the period from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s; that is the Duvalier era. It is well known that many, though not all, of the major writers were forced to leave during this period, and it was natural that exile became a dominant theme in Haitian literature. Now, I feel there is a more dynamic relation between Haiti and the diaspora, and between Haitian authors inside and outside of the country. Those living abroad are generally freer to travel to Haiti than before, while those living in Haiti seem to have more opportunities to travel. I also have the impression that there is more choice for Haitian authors in this regard–that they do not have to choose as they did before between home and exile, and that they can experience something of both by living in Haiti and traveling abroad for festivals,conferences, or other engagements. This increased mobility is no doubt due to the greater visibility of Haitian literature abroad, which in turn is due to a number of factors, including the greater awareness of Haiti internationally, following the bicentenary and, especially, after the earthquake of 2010, and of course the high quality of the work being produced by the writers.

The theme of exile remains important however in a different way–in the notion of the internal exile, the idea that a writer or an individual may for a variety of reasons feel a sense of estrangement from his or her immediate surroundings to the extent that they feel they are in a form of exile.

Where do you see Haitian literature heading?

ELSIE AUGUSTAVE: Cultural globalization will probably become a major influence in the future of Haitian literature since migration is more and more prevalent in the life of Haitians of all social groups. And, literature is definitely a reflection of life.

DR. MYRIAM CHANCY: Well, personally, I’m very interested in seeing where Haitian literature written in French and in Kreyol will be going in coming years as recent trips to Port-au-Prince has revealed a wellspring of productivity; it’s uneven but it is prolific so I would watch that scene, some of it related to Lyonel Trouillot’s Thursday night [workshops and readings]. Beyond this, there is also a great deal more writing in French emerging out of France and Montreal; it seems that the earthquake ironically opened that door wide and the writing is very interesting.

I predict, then, that there will be a shift away from univocality and a looking towards production only from the US, in English, as in recent years. Of course, as someone who also writes novels in English, I’m also hoping that there will be more room for multivocality in the US for Haitian writers of all backgrounds. I’m also particularly interested in the increasing presence of Haitian women writers in all key languages though there seem to be fewer women writers than men in all sectors which is, unfortunately, in keeping with tradition. Be that as it may, I’ve also noticed an increasing attention to the representation of women in the works of male writers so there seems to be something going on around gender issues that should be interesting to watch. Personally, I think we could call this a moment of renaissance for Haitian literary arts. I hope it holds.

EDWIDGE DANTICAT: I see a lot of very positive things happening in Haitian literature both in Haiti and in the diaspora. There are established writers still producing really great work and wonderful young writers emerging and breaking through. Many of them we are discovering here online or via wonderful anthologies like So Spoke The Earth and other recent post earthquake anthologies that were published in Haiti and outside. Of course we can always have more. I am a voracious reader who will always want more. I would love to see, for example, one or several great contemporary Zola or Dickens or Dumas or Roumain or Alexis or Chauvet type novel/novelists come out of Cite Soleil and other disadvantaged areas in the urban and rural areas. So we have a very rich and powerful literature that could be richer if more talented young writers, especially within Haiti, had more access to publication in a way that would not cost them hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars out of their own pockets.

MJ FIEVRE: On a thematic level, Haitian literature remains static. Haitian writers continue to favor Haitian politics, history, and stories that invite social change. Gary Victor’s “Histoires entendues ou vecues dans un tap-tap” [Stories Heard and Lived in a Tap Tap] is a must-read. A lot of informational books continue to get published, including cooking and “savoir vivre” books. Recently, many authors have chosen to use a memoiristic approach to nonfiction, choosing to put their personal experiences “out there” instead of hiding behind the veil of the simple reporter. Maryse Noel Roumain recently published Evocations de mon Passé [Evocations of My Past]. I’ve noticed many books being published by local celebrities: Tonton Bicha, by Daniel Fils-Aime, is one example. It also seems that Haitian literature has become more daring. More books talk openly about sex and sexual identity. As far as languages are concerned, more and more books are published in Creole, both in poetry and fiction. I’ve recently acquired Toutouni [Butt-Naked] by Vye Ewol.

When I published my first novel at 16, it was unheard of because, traditionally, only “old people” published books. Now many of our writers are very young. At Livres en Folie [a book fair in Haiti], I met many novelists and short story tellers who are under 25.

MARIE-THERESE LABOSSIERE THOMAS: Now more than ever rich, vibrant, and dynamic, Haitian literature appeals to an increasingly larger and diverse audience in Haiti and abroad. Technology is allowing the many young authors, their older counterparts, as well as supporting institutions, to multiply opportunities for productive exchanges with the public. Cosmopolitan and yet deeply rooted in Haitian reality, diaspora writers broaden the cultural landscape and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future.

Image Credit: The French Institute

When you’re one of the most wanted and most requested plastic surgeons on the planet, and you’re balancing family life, plus your other obligations, how do you keep yourself from neglecting yourself? Dr. Ruth Celestin of Oculus in Georgia is one of those always-on-the-go medical professionals. When the whole world looks at you as if you always have it together, and don’t need any self-nourishment, how do you handle things? And what about friendships, especially women friendships? How meaningful are they to a professional woman’s well-being?

Here she is answering my questions about self-care and friendships…

Kreyolicious: As someone who is hugely successful…people come to you not only for their plastic surgery needs but also to be mentored, to be counseled. We hear of people who are the go-to person for everybody’s needs but who have no one to turn to for those needs. How do you make sure you take care of “you” too? Wow, hugely successful?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Consider me flattered. I see myself as more of a work in progress [Winks]. But to answer the question, I do give 100% of me to my patients and staff, sometimes to the point where it can be stressful. There are days where I have talked so much all day to so many people that I come home and don’t want to utter another word! But I’ve also learned that you have to prioritize yourself to have anything left to give others. To take care of me, I lean on lessons I learned from mom, who is a cosmetologist as well as a nurse and absolutely beautiful at her age: I find enjoyment in self-maintenance. You feel good when you look good and this is not vanity it’s reality. I have a “girl cave” as my husband calls it where I spend quiet time and beautify. Hair, nails, massages, spa days, shopping, workouts, girlfriend time. All to-do’s, but I make sure I enjoy them by putting the phone down and engaging with my friends, trainer, stylist or technician. Or, if I’m just too tired, it’s headphones and great music while I’m getting pampered or working out. No emails or calls during “me” time! For a doctor that is very difficult, but having a great team in place makes it possible even if only for short periods of time. I have a lot of respect for their personal time and in return they do for mine as well and I’m grateful for that. Last but certainly not least I’m super blessed to have a wonderful husband who takes excellent care of me, even when I forget to take care of myself!

Kreyolicious: Are you going to write a book someday?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Yes! I am going to put it out there so as to hold myself accountable! Writing a book is on my list of things I want to do. I have a lot of life yet to live and I don’t think I or anyone has all of the answers but… I’d like to think that my struggles and experiences might serve as inspiration and give someone a more clear path to their own success. And also tell a fun/entertaining story while I’m at it. Maybe there’s more than one book in me??

Kreyolicious: What else are you working towards accomplishment wise?
Dr. Ruth Celestin: Oh so much, it’s impossible to list. My mind is always working on the next project. As I mentioned, I see myself as a perpetual work in progress— I’m a perfectionist and happen to be my own biggest project. God is not done with me yet, and I’ve got some big dreams. In the short term, I plan to travel much more (we just got back from Paris celebrating our one-year wedding anniversary!). We’re getting a puppy, planning to have a family, and long-term I’m planning to take over the world. Nothing big. [*winks*]

This concludes the three-part interview with Dr. Ruth Celestin, plastic surgeon and reconstructive surgery expert! CLICK HERE if you missed the previous installments.

CLICK HERE to follow her journey on Instagram |CLICK HERE to visit Dr. Ruth Celestin’s website | OCULUS on Facebook |

Fabienne Colas is always on the go. But Kreyolicious caught up with her. The Haiti-born, Canada-residing actress discussed her much-anticipated Fab USA Tour, her first tour of the United States for Minuit, a film she directed.

Go ahead and read this interview she did with your girl Kreyolicious about her career, the future of the movies in Haiti, and her film’s reception in the United States.

Kreyolicious: Would you say that this past year has been your busiest year ever?
Absolutely! The activities and events of the Fabienne Colas Foundation keep me very busy all year round. And this year, I added a Fabienne Colas Big USA Tour stopping in Brooklyn (April 23), Boston (April 24), West Palm Beach (April 30), Miami (May 1st)—screening my latest film Minuit, written by Sophia Desir, followed by a discussion. Unprecedented year for me.

Kreyolicious: You screened your film Minuit in Brooklyn. What was the reception like?
It was an unprecedented happening for Haitian Cinema in the USA! Everyone in New York said it was a first at Brooklyn College Center for the Performing Arts with over a thousand people. I was speechless. So much love…I am so grateful. But it was a team work and I gotta thank my unbelievable team who helped pull it off: Mora Junior Etienne, Gerald Jean, Reginald Simeon, Sarah Vulcain, Joyce Fuerza, Astrid Fidelia, Rhoudini Joseph, Gary Didier Perez, Patrick Ulysse, Marie Carmelle Bastien and many more. My hat goes off to our devoted volunteers too.

Above: With designer Donna Karan.

Kreyolicious: Is being a director something you’d like to try again?
Definitely! It’s a very important position in filmmaking. For me that’s the dream job! You get to cast the actors, make the script come to life, you decide on everything on the movie set. It’s infinite power, but also a huge responsibility since people trust your vision and you get the last word on the set; you gotta make sure you use this power wisely.

Above: Danny Glover and Fabienne Colas.

Kreyolicious: What’s next for you? I remember that during our last conversation, you had mentioned that you had some sort of project in mind.
The only project I’m concentrated on is the 2016 Fabienne Colas Big USA Tour that I’m doing now. I put all my head and soul in it. All the details on my website. As far as the Foundation is concerned, we are preparing two big festivals: The Festival Haiti en Folie in Montreal from July 25 to 31, and the Montreal International Black Film Festival from September 28 to October 2. I can’t wait!

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to another young woman who’s wanting to make it in the Haitian film industry?
Go to school, create your own project, be proactive, surround yourself with people who have more experience than you, and make sure you behave like a lady. [Smiles]

CLICK HERE TO VISIT FABIENNE COLAS’ WEBSITE.

Sagine Palmier, Nina, Jessica Gentil are all roles that have contributed to the success of actress Gessica Géneus, considered as one of the most talented thespians of Haitian cinema. In the beginning of her career, Géneus could be likened to a being thrown in a new planet, but who by cleverly using her instincts, survives. She brought fire to the role of Sagine Palmier in Richard Sénécal’s first feature film Barikad, spicing up the part of the spoiled, ruthless teenager of a middle-class Haitian family, into the role of a lifetime.

In 2005, she was in Cousines, playing Jessica Gentil—a schoolgirl, whose life turns upside down when her father—and sole benefactor—living abroad dies, leaving her to fend for herself on the streets. The difference between Barikad and Cousines was that in the latter film, the role was crafted by Sénécal with Géneus in mind. “I knew upfront that she had the talent and ability to emphasize both the character’s weaknesses and strengths—Which she did wonderfully”, the director recalls. Many observers have noted that in addition to reflecting the tough realities for many young Haitian girls in Haiti, Cousines pushed the envelope on the realism aspect of Haiti’s cinema and brought renewed hope that more realistic stories would be told.

Géneus has gone on to do several movies after Cousines, including Le President a t-il Le Sida, a film about HIV and AIDS in Haiti. But Cousines is the movie some will more than likely will associate with her. The film was about the important economic link between Haitians living in Haiti and those abroad. But it was also about friendship, sacrifice and personal survival.

In 2009, Géneus had the opportunity to play a role in Moloch Tropical—Raoul Peck’s first feature film in years to be shot in Haiti. Less than two years later, the actress—wanting to broaden her horizons beyond Haiti and wanting to seriously study acting—left her homeland for France, where she currently lives.

In three separate conversations, we chatted about everything from acting methods, to fame, and her life beyond the cameras.

Q & A

How did you get started in the Haitian film industry?
I was 16 years-old when I started modeling. I met Richard Sénécal during a casting for a commercial. Then he invited me to come to another casting for Barikad.

The commercial was for what?
A cellphone.

How did the casting go? Going in, did you think you had a chance of being cast?
First, I didn’t even take it seriously, because I didn’t know there was a movie industry in Haiti. So, it was more like a game for me. I followed all the directions he gave me and I got the part.

Were you given the script prior to the casting audition? Or did you just improvise?
They gave me a scene and a few minutes to know it quickly. Then, I played with another girl who was also there for the casting.

Do you remember which scene?
Yes! The one when I wanted my friend to introduce me to a guy. In exchange, she asked me to bring Thierry over to the party.

Once you got the part, did you do any sort of preparation to flesh out the character?
No, not at all…because I didn’t see it as a—it wasn’t that important for me at this time. I wanted to do well of course, but as I told you before, it was more like something fun—that I’m gonna get paid for—on top of it.

Once the movie wrapped up, and premiered, what was the reaction of your friends and family?
I think it was a bit confusing for them, because they said that I was too good [in playing the role], so maybe I was that kind of person, but my close family was really happy to see that I could become an actress.

So at this point, you felt that it was no longer a game. You started taking it seriously?
Not yet, but I felt like I wanted to go further with it.

So you went from being a typical teenager to a movie star. How was that? Suddenly, your friend circle increased by a thousand fold I’m sure.
Well, I think it was too much for me because Haiti is very small. I had a movie in the theater, but I didn’t even have a car. I had the same life but people’s [perception of] me changed.

Changed…how?
Well, I was kind of popular, so everybody thought that they could have an opinion on my life…and also a lot of them couldn’t [discern] the difference between the movie and real life. So sometimes, people would say that I hated the housekeeper. They would hate me for things that I did in the movie. So it was hard for me to accept that fact [being confused with the character].

You were kinda popular…as in prior to the movie, in your own personal life?
No way. It was the complete opposite.

In other words, the movie made you popular?
Well, I guess that’s one of the things that came along with it.

Did you find yourself feeling really afraid, suspicious even, when somebody tried to befriend you?
Sometimes yes—especially when I first started. First, but now I just make sure that I do the right choices when I can.

Do you have a role model in mind in terms of who you carve your career after?
Well, it’s hard to say. In Haiti, it’s an industry that is still growing. I really loved Toto Bissainte in L’homme sur les Quais by Raoul Peck. I love her as a singer and as an actress. It’s impossible for me to say that I have a role model because I’ve learned from so many people in my life.

You saw Bissainthe in starring roles before you starred in Barikad or after?
After.

You have a starring role in We Love You Anne, the sequel to the movie I Love You Anne.
Edner Jean, the movie producer asked me to play the part. I accepted because I wanted to play a comedy—especially with Tonton Bicha [who] I really like.

And the character you play?
It’s one of Pè Déméran’s daugthers. She is like an older Sagine. [Laughter]

You currently live in France. How is life in Europe different from life in Haiti?
I love Paris, but Haiti is something else. I have a special connection with it. A mother is a mother and will always be.

You’re receiving actor training. What are you learning about your craft?
I just finished with [the] school.

What are some of the biggest things you learned while at the school?
That there are so many different methods in acting. I’m glad that I know most of them now and I can use them whenever needed. I’m wayyyyyyyyyy more comfortable because I have tools. This is something that really gives you confidence in your work—from my point of view.

Knowing what you know of acting now, do you think that you unconsciously applied some techniques in the past without realizing it?
Yes, but I don’t think that it was a good idea that I used the method Stanislavsky when I was playing Cousines.

You don’t think it was a good idea? What do you mean?
Because, it’s a method that tells you bottom line to use your past experiences to play any emotional scene. Today, I realize that it can be really dangerous to get out of the mess that you gonna create in yourself and difficult to get out.

In other words, you plunge into those emotions of the past, and after you’re done playing the role, it’s hard to shake things off?
Exactly. It became too personal and it can be hard to [discern the] difference between you and the character.

Now, that you are finished with your acting school in France, do you envision yourself returning to Haiti to star in more Haitian movies? What are your plans?
I’m currently living between Paris and Haiti. I have an agent and project that I’m working on in Paris. It’s been two years since I have been working on a script. I’m now translating it in English.

At this point, would you change anything about the way you played Sagine, Nina, and Jessica?
Yes, for sure. Definitely, but I’m happy with what I did without any kind of training or learning. As an actor an artist and a human, I will be in a learning process until the end of my life on Earth.

What do you think about the current state of the Haitian movie industry?
I think it’s just a bad period. Because a lot of people are working to restart the movie industry in Haiti, so I don’t have the right to say that it doesn’t exist anymore.

What do you think can be done to help things along?
Well, first we need [movie] theaters in Haiti. It’s a must. And then there is a lot to do. Protect the movies. If you have people ready to invest in rebuilding the theaters in Haiti, the rest will come because I know a lot of professionals who are ready to produce movies, but you need a real market.

You made your debut in the Haitian movie industry at 16, and your career has flourished ever since. What is the difference between you and other young actresses who made promising debuts only never to be heard from again?
I don’t like to talk for other people. I also know that it is really hard for any person to be “just” an artist if you are living in Haiti. It was also very hard for me. I had to fight against the society and all the prejudices. But I found my strength in the fact that [film] is a deep passion. It’s in my bones, my veins…it’s everywhere. I didn’t only want to be an actress. I love every single part of the movie industry. I’m talking about the artistic part. I’m alive every time I’m on a movie set, and I know that I will fight against anything or anybody who wants to take me away from that happiness.

“I had to fight against the society and all the prejudices”. In what sense?
First, when you are a woman in Haiti and you want to have an artistic career, people will give you all the bad names that you know [of]. It’s a long debate. And a complicated subject. Eighty percent of the population of Haiti is not educated, so it’s hard for them to understand that when you play a role, it’s not necessary who you are. Even for those who are “educated”. But I had a lot of support from people who believed in me. Slowly, I started to clean my environment and only kept real people around me.

Out of all the movies you’ve starred in, do you have a particular favorite?
So far, Cousines. It’s a very profound story, but I was also happy to be in a historical movie such as Toussaint Louverture. Not only happy, but proud. Very proud.

How was it working on that movie?
I just arrived at the right moment in Paris. Jimmy Jean-Louis was already cast for Toussaint, so he introduced me to the producers. Then I did the casting two months later. My character’s name is Vertueuse. She is always with Biassou [a fighter and leader in the Haitian Revolution of 1791] in the movie. She is very spiritual. I only worked in Paris. It was a very cool adventure. They created a whole decor outside of Paris.

This Vertueuse person was not a historical figure of the Haitian Revolution, correct?
As you know, they only talk about the heroes in Haitian history, but not the women. It’s a sickness because it’s not only in Haitian history, but that’s another subject. So, I won’t say that she didn’t exist; I will say that nobody knew about her. And I’m happy that they brought her alive in that movie.

So in playing her, you basically combined all your ideas about what a woman from that revolutionary period would be like? Like a composite?
Exactly. And also what I’ve heard from Bahina Belot. She is a historian. She never talked about Vertueuse herself but she is fighting a lot to keep people informed about the women in Haitian history.

You mentioned that the Stavlinsky method is too emotionally draining for an actor. Which method do you feel is the best, and the most conducive to putting on a great performance, that at the same time, will not be mentally detrimental to an actor—or actress?
It’s still early for me to make any kind of deduction because I need to experiment [with] more than one to make a conclusion that will surely only engage myself. But I can tell you about a method that they teach me at school. It’s called spatialization. It’s a way of studying your text while visualizing every object in the real world. You situate them like they really exist: persons, objects, houses, everything. You recreate the world that is the script. The more precise you are, the more you’ll feel like it’s really true.

In the movie Barikad, there is a scene when your character Sagine barges in the maid Odenie’s room. For some reason, this scene stands out in the minds of many who’ve seen the film. How did you prepare for it? Did you have to go through a lot of takes to achieve the scene?
No. It was a one take. I improvised. Richard told me what he wanted, and I did my best. But, it’s easy to do it with the team that I was working with: Haendel Dorfeuille, Handy Tibert, Fabienne [Colas]. They are all very good.

You mentioned criteria. When you’re offered a movie role, or given a movie script, what factors do you usually use to decide whether to accept the role or not?
I only have this privilege in Haiti, because usually when somebody asks me to play in a movie it’s because he knows that I will be good in the part. In France, I can’t really choose for now. It has to be first [of all] well-written. Then it depends on what is it about. The story.

Imagine an actress of about 18 years of age, who has been cast in a movie. Filming has concluded and everyone who has seen the movie is sure it’s going to be a sensation. Now, before the public premiere, you have the chance to sit down with this actress. What would you tell her, what advice would you give to her, in terms of how to handle fame, about how to handle media, how to map out a career, and what other counsel would you give her on the road that lies ahead?
I think if she wants to hear any advice [in the] first [place], I would tell her the exact same thing I say to my little sister every day…to make sure that she always has a clear idea about what she wants to do with her life. And once you know, you’ve got to be sure that it is something that you could die for. That being said, you have to fight for it ’til the end because the only gift we have from life is that we can choose the way we want to live it. Everything like fame or money or anything else is a bonus. The joy is in the journey. People you meet. Fights you lose. Fights you win. Pain, suffering, laughs, cries. You have to be aware of the journey because success’ sensation only lasts for a few seconds. What will be left is a lifetime that you shared with amazing people doing something that you loved. [Long pause]

Are you done with your thought?
No, but yes.

Please continue if you have more to add.
No, no it’s okay. It’s just emotional—too much for me because I know what it is to be 18 years-old in this world. They are showing so many things that are keeping you so far away from the real beauty of life. I think when I was 17, I was so lost. I wish I had symbols that could actually be some kind of guide for me. I just want them to really look for who they really are; to clean their mind and to make sure that every time they take a decision that it is what they really want to do and not what somebody else makes them think that would be good for them ’cause he wants to take advantage of their lack of information or naiveté.

In terms of fame? And the media?
In general; they are showing so many things that are keeping you so far away from the real beauty of life.

Who is “they” in this case?
Society; the star system. When you see famous people [that’s no] reason to be [in awe]…it’s not that it’s bad but a lot of young people decide to do the same because they think that they will have the same success. But they don’t realize that we are all different; so are our lives. The result you have doesn’t guarantee that I will have the same one if I do what you did. It’s just that you don’t have to be embarrassed in front of somebody that you see as someone one that is famous and think that it is the right thing to do to have a beautiful life. Each of us has [a gift]. And even if everybody doesn’t know about it, it doesn’t matter. What really matters is if you feel like it’s what makes you happy. If you feel like it was the right thing to do—because we are all different and our mission in life is also different so we are not all here to do the same thing.

You say “success’ sensation only lasts for a few seconds. That may be the case in some other countries of the world where so many movies come out at a time. The impression that I’ve gotten about Haiti is that once someone is in a movie, or better yet a string of 2-3 films, they’re able to sustain their fame for life based on that.
I was talking in general. I don’t want to talk about fame in my case. I don’t wanna talk about fame at all. But you can’t deny that once people see you on TV or theater, if you had an impact they will remember you for the rest of their lives. I don’t think that is fame or anything. It’s just that they recognize you.

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KREYOLICIOUSLY YOURS…GESSICA

Three words that describe me…No words can describe me or you or anybody else. We are not stereotypes. I don’t think humans will ever be able to create words to describe another human. We are too complex and simple at the same time.

If there’s one thing I can’t tolerate, it’s…extremists. I think this is what is killing us slowly. Everybody thinks—they all believe that the truth is held by them. We are now right in the middle of a conflict that proves it.

The last time I cried...I’m always crying. I have so many reasons to do it. Most of the time, I do it when I feel useless, and it’s a feeling that I usually have when I go to Haiti, because its seems like it’s always worse than the last time I came.

My biggest regret in life so far…that they didn’t ask me if I wanted to come on Earth or not.

In my spare time, I like to…be productive.

Among members of my family, I am closest to…I’m just doing my best to be there for any of them.

If I could give instructions to my future husband, I would say…I’ll never do something like that. I can’t ask someone to take me as I am and not do the same.

To me, friendship means…another way of saying family member.

The book that I read that has made the biggest impression on me has got to be... I have to mention two books so far. One, Nan Dòmi by Manzè Beaubrun. Two, 100 Ans de Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez.

To me, beauty is…invisible

Brimming with creative ideas? Youtube is the platform for that! Tara M knew it, and started her own channel. On her channel, she creates content about a variety of subjects, including interior decorating and assorted lifestyle topics. She’s not keeping her recipe for success to herself. In our interview, she gave your fave chick Kreyolicious a preview of what she hopes to get from her career, and the Haitian-American/Filipina also had tips for those who aspire to have a career on the platform!

Kreyolicious: What advice would you give to an aspiring Youtuber?
Tara M: My advice is to not overthink it. You do not need to go out and buy expensive gear in order to start. If you want to start just start with a video that you can film on your computer. There really is no formula to gaining views and subscribers. You just have to film stuff that you are comfortable and happy filming. The right people will stumble upon your video and you can gain an organic following from people who like to just watch you on camera regardless of what you decide to film.

Kreyolicious: Are there some books that have changed your life in some way?
Tara M: As I have gotten older, I have had less and less time to read books. So to be honest, I do not at this moment have a book that changed my life. I do like reading articles here and there online. I have been meaning to make some time for more reading so if you recommend any books please let me know!

Kreyolicious: People recommend The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie a lot. Do these titles sound intriguing to you?
Tara M: I actually have heard about both those books. My brother read them and said it was one of the best books he has ever read. I actually have always been intrigued by those titles. Now that you remind me, I am definitely going to make a stop at barns and nobles and get myself a copy. I think learning about people is the root of success. Plus utilizing your day to be the most effective you can be is another key way to accomplish your goals in a faster manner. Urgency is key! Life is too short.

Kreyolicious: Where do you see your career heading?
Tara M: In 2-3 years, I see myself being a full-time digital influencer. I want to be able to make this a career so that way when I have a family one day I can run my business from home. I want to be able to work closely with big brands and also film high quality style videos on my Youtube channel.

CLICK HERE to visit Millennial lifestyle blogger Tara M’s channel on Youtube.

Miss Haiti Universe Lisa Drouillard has a lot of mileage on her feet. The New York-born-and-raised beauty queen traveled to Vegas late last year to compete at the Miss Universe pageant. She didn’t win the crown, but to most, her smile and persistence were everything.

Since then, she’s been continuing her community service work. She teamed up with the organization Fresh Youth Initiatives to inspire younger girls with her motivational talks.

And then there’s Haiti. There was a time when Haiti was a place Lisa Drouillard saw on the internet, and heard others discuss. Now, she’s made several trips to the island, visiting schools and speaking to Haiti’s children—and being an unofficial ambassador of sorts. It comes with the beauty queen territory, and it’s a territory that she’s more than familiar with, having won the Miss Teen New York pageant a few years ago. Then it was Miss Grand International right before Miss Haiti Universe, and who knows what might be next. It’s hard not to applaud her.

Kreyolicious: Congratulations by the way on having been Miss Universe Haiti, first off.

Thank You!

Kreyolicious: Even if you’ve already won pageants before, and have been winning them since you were a kid, some people don’t realize that it takes courage to enter each additional one.

It does. Most times the reason why pageant girls enter pageants is to gain or work on their self esteem. And then to finally make it and be conscious of the negative comments that are made about you takes a lot of courage to face. I was tell girls that they have to be sure that this is something that they want to do because it can definitely take you out of your comfort zone.

Kreyolicious: What was it like to compete for the Miss Universe Haiti in Vegas?

Competing for the Miss Universe pageant was a dream come true. I have been competing for some time now, so to make it to that very stage was very much accomplishing.

Kreyolicious: To me, you’re a winner for just having been there. Outside of your pageant triumphs, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of the person I have become. I love that I give myself a goal and no matter how difficult or how unfair my journey may seem, I still manage to make sure that I stay true to myself and do whatever it is my heart is set out on. In a world where it is easy to fall apart, I am glad I can find different ways to get past the negatives.

Kreyolicious: The last time I interviewed you, you had never been to Haiti. But since then, you’ve made trips. What was the first trip like? What has it been like since then?

My first trip I was eager to know what the actually country and people were like. Now, even though I am still learning, I feel like I am able to appreciate it from a cultural perspective rather than a touristic mindset.

Kreyolicious: You once told me that your definition of beauty is “being content with oneself.” But you can be content with yourself, but your mind and pysche are constantly getting battered and assaulted with comparisons…filtered images and all. I’ve read of cases where girls and women fell into deep depression or worse when they were looking at social media platforms of people their age, and being bummed out because they felt they couldn’t compare with the perfection that was presented by their peers.

I can relate. The media will always be there to sway our emotions left and right unfortunately. I think that having a healthy surrounding can also aid into one being content with his or herself. There will always be someone who looks better is doing better, but once you accept that your journey is different, then you doubt less. Having those group of people who has your best interest at heart really helps keep you driven.

Kreyolicious: It’s been said that a women’s biggest enemies are women themselves. Girls rule the world, so goes the maxim. And yet, some women have the lowest self esteem and self-image.

I feel like that will always be the case because we are human! It is not everyday we will feel like a million bucks. We will have out moments when we feel “wack” it’s called a bad day. As long as we don’t turn it into a bad life. As far as being each other’s biggest enemies, that can be the unfortunate truth these days because we want to win so badly at everything that we start shutting others that look up to us out. Generally speaking. I hope that can change although there are some women doing a great job at being each other’s mentors. If you do well, so will I.

Kreyolicious: I saw all these adorable photos of you and these little school children and Haiti. I think it’s cool that you do these school tours.

Kreyolicious: Are you involved with any philanthropic organizations or have thought of forming your own?

I am in the process of choosing one to work with. As for now I am enjoying being able to work with as many as my heart’s desires.

Kreyolicious: Lisa Drouillard is a name we’re going to be seeing over and over. What’s next for you?

A lot is happening for me thankfully. I am truly blessed. You may see the entrepreneur business side of Lisa, the philanthropic side, and the actress maybe. So many opportunities are coming my way and I want to cease the moment and enjoy them without biting off more than I can chew or getting lost in the hype!

CLICK HERE to keep up with Lisa Drouillard on Instagram. | LISA DROUILLARD ON TWITTER

Film director Mario Delatour has had a career as diverse as his upbringing. He was born in Venezuela to Haitian parents. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and currently lives in Haiti. His films are focused on different aspects of Haiti’s history: immigration from the Middle East to Haiti in the 19th Century, the history of Haiti’s banking system, and even the invasion of Haiti by three in the late 1950s. Last year, he chose to cover more than two centuries of history of Haiti’s forests in Where Did The Trees Go? The project will screen at the Haiti Cultural Exchange Haiti Film Fest on May 13 at the Maroney Theater at Saint Francis College in New York.

Kreyolicious: What would you say is the favorite film that you have produced?
Well, every film is different. It is sort of like parents who deal with their children. Every child requires different sets of challenges. The subject matters are different. The economic means are sometimes more precarious. The time constraints are not always the same, and the people you collaborate with can make or break a film. [It] makes a huge difference if the right chemistry is not there!

All of my films are a work of labor, and I cherish the experiences that each one allowed me. When you make films ,you go through a lot. You meet a lot of challenges. You face tough decisions. I am glad that I was able rise up to the occasion and I am also thankful that the films exist today. I will leave a body of work for Haiti.

Kreyolicious: As you were going down in your journey as a filmmaker, what was the best advice you were given?
To be persistent. Stick to your guns, and follow your dreams. And I must say, I did.

Kreyolicious: And now as a seasoned filmmaker, what advice would you like to give out to those aspire to get to your level?
The same.

Above: Director Mario Delatour at a screening of one of his previous films Storming Papa Doc. Photo Via: AyitiImages

Kreyolicious: What’s your view on the future of Haitian filmmaking?
If the old pass the baton to the younger generation, and [if] the young “upcoming Turks” are willing to listen, then the future of filmmaking in Haiti looks bright.

Having said [this], filmmakers—whether young or old—cannot possibly make films if they can’t raise money. This has always been The $64,000 question! Where to do you get the money to make films? Film has always been—and remains—a very expensive medium.

Haiti should look to its neighbor the Dominican Republic, and see what they have done in terms of creating a state fund for filmmakers. Also, how the Dominican filmmakers have grouped themselves to create a solid Filmmaker’s Association that in turn has acted as a powerful lobby to enact laws in their legislature to promote filmmaking in their country. The result has been tremendous for them. They do over 20 feature films of their own every year and they host a cavalcade of foreign film companies who come to film in the Dominican Republic, and they get tax breaks.

On our side of the island, let us not reinvent the wheel. Let us get to work and do the same.

[Main Photo: via AyitiImages]

Director Mario Delatour’s film will screen on May 13 at 2 p.m. at St. Francis College | Maroney Theater |180 Remsen Street | Brooklyn, NY 11201 |

CLICK HERE to visit the Haiti Cultural Exchange website and learn more about director Mario Delatour and the other filmmakers taking part in Haiti Cultural Exchange Haiti Film Fest!