Stones – Kalepwa Magazine

Filmmaker Patricia Benoit on Her Film Stones in the Sun

K St. Fort — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 00:44:42 +0000

Haitian-American filmmaker and screenwriter Patricia Benoit is the mind behind the drama Stones in the Sun, (Creole title Wòch Nan Solèy), one of the very few feature films released in the United States that depict the Haitian-American experience. The film was an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival (where it won the Heineken Audience Award, and a Special Jury Mention prize), not a small accomplishment for a first feature film. Benoit collected quite a cast: Edwidge Danticat plays a role, and veteran performer Michele Marcelin, and new blood Carlo Mitton, James Noel, Patricia Rhinvil, and Thierry Saintine round up the principal cast. The film explores the krazy glue-like bond that exists among families in the Haitian immigrant community and the pains of assimilation and exile.

Q&A
How did you get your start in the film industry?
I founded a community organization with France Pean, called the “Haitian Women’s Program”, and made some educational films.

Is it difficult being both the director and writer of a work?
You need to maintain perspective vis a vis the work and not be too kind or too brutal to your writing.

A portion of the film was shot in Haiti, correct?
We worked with Cine Institute. Their students were amazing. I and the crew were impressed with the level of professionalism. The students never encountered a problem they couldn’t solve and they and the institute are part of their community. Their energy was boundless and they’re a really creative bunch – finding creative solutions to problems. They found actors, locations, did costumes and production design as well as Assistant directors and grip. I’ve already worked in Haiti with groups and I know that it’s essential to work with people who are respected and trusted within their own community.

You’re among the Haitian-American film community. Will you be collaborating with the community in Haiti for future projects?
I definitely intend on continuing. Is it particularly harder to be a woman filmmaker?
Sometimes.

What inspired you to write Stones in the Sun?
My family was exiled under Duvalier.

After the completion of a film, a director has over the course of production, learned a lot.
You are only as good as the people you work with.

Why did you choose the 1980s as the decade for the film’s setting?
The film doesn’t take place in a specific time. It takes place during a military dictatorship after the departure of Duvalier because I didn’t want to focus on political specificities. Hopefully the issues are timeless.

Do you imagine a day when a film like Stones in the Sun will get wide theatre release?
That would be great, but I don’t think that any film with subtitles and not in English gets that yet. A Separation—a wonderful film set in Iran—I recommend that everyone see it—won the Oscar for best foreign film and is only playing in two theaters in New York City.

What advice do you have for aspiring directors and first-time directors? Don’t get an undergraduate degree in film. Learn about other things – in and out of school. Try to get as much experience in non paying gigs and be ready to work really hard without complaining. That way you can watch other people work. Try to see some great movie classics, not just Hollywood films. That way you can be exposed to different ways of making films.

And do you have a few words for actors and actresses on how to make them more appealing to a film director?
I would recommend highly taking scene study classes. For example at HB studios in Manhattan.

Your film had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. That must have been grand.
It’s great. New York is the perfect venue for this film because of the large Haitian community here and because the film takes place here and in Haiti. How did you manage to put together such a great cast?

Through friends, acquaintances and online casting searches.

What’s next on your agenda?
I’m working with Edwidge Danticat on a film that will take place in the peasant community in Haiti.

An Interview with Haitian-American Playwright Nancy Fenelon Regarding Her Play Stones in the Water

K St. Fort — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 22:57:41 +0000

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This November is going to be an exciting month for playwright Nancy Fenelon. The Black Lady Theater will launch “Stone in the Water”, a play set in 1970s Haiti written by Fenelon, produced by Omar Hardy, and directed by her colleague Sherese Parese.

Kreyolicious: So you have a play coming out in November called Stones in the Water. Did it originate as a play?
Nancy Fenelon: Sometimes a piece of writing can start off as a screenplay get turned into a film. Even an undergrad thesis can get turned into a novel. I’m very excitied about it. From the very beginning I always envisioned this piece as a play.

Kreyolicious: Okay, some of us have heard the saying about the Stones in the Water and the Stones in the Sun that reflect the haves and the have-nots. Is that one of the points you wanted to bring across?
Nancy Fenelon: Yes it is. When I was deciding on a title for the play I wanted it to be connected to a Haitian phrase that I thought represented that divide, that struggle; and also the internal push and pull of loving ones country yet moving to another. I also thought of the phrase “The Stones in the water don’t know the pain of the Stones in the sun”, in a more literal sense. If we think about the process that stones go through as they’re being pushed and pulled through the water, it’s intense. And then think about what the stones go through on land, being out in the open and exposed to the heat and other elements, that’s intense as well. So no matter where you are (America or Haiti) you’re going to go through something.

Kreyolicious: So comedian-writer Papa Jean is part of the cast as well. How exciting?
Nancy Fenelon: I’m excited to have him as part of the cast.

Kreyolicious: How did your collaboration come about?
Nancy Fenelon: I met Papa jean and his family a few years ago through a mutual friend and mentor of ours around theater and writing. Since then we’ve been friends and supporting each others work. He’s part of my creative family. In the early stages of my play, Papa Jean played one of the characters in two separate stage readings. He embodied that character so well that when my play was chosen for a production at The Black Lady theatre, I knew I wanted him to play the part.

Kreyolicious: A lot of creatives tend to fight self-doubt, while some are very confident in their work throughout the creative process. What was your confidence level like when you were crafting Stone in the Water.
Nancy Fenelon: I think that for me, self-doubt and confidence are always fighting for space. I have come to realize that they each play an important role in my creative process. One reminds me to be humble and the other pushes me and gives me strength to step out of my comfort zone. Before I wrote Stones in the Water, when I was in the outlining stages of it, I struggled a lot wondering how could I possibly capture all I wanted to say. But when I finally began writing, the words just kept flowing and I was sure that I had something good.

Kreyolicious: Did you write any other plays prior to this?
Nancy Fenelon: Yes. A few years ago I had two plays performed in New York City festivals. One called “The Fireplace”, and the other “The Red Book”. I also have several plays waiting to be brought to life.

Kreyolicious: Did your educational background contribute to who you have become? I know that sounds logical, but there are people who will tell you that their collegiate path didn’t guide them, or it just derailed them.
Nancy Fenelon: Yes, I believe my educational background has contributed to who I am. I believe that all my experiences help shape me in life and as a writer.

Kreyolicious: Did you make a playlist while you were writing?
Nancy Fenelon: I don’t have a specific playlist for writing but there’s always low music playing in the background that’s for sure. Usually whatever’s on my iTunes, which is a broad range of genres.

Kreyolicious: What can audiences going to see the play expect?
Nancy Fenelon: Audiences can expect to be surprised, connected and challenged by this piece.

Kreyolicious: You ever felt pressured to pursue a non-creative career?
Nancy Fenelon: I actually have pursued another career. I’m a licensed teacher and have been involved in education for over a decade. In many ways, it has helped me creatively. Although, I recently left full-time teaching in order to have more time to pursue my writing. But, there’s always that balancing between making sure you can take care of yourself and having time for your craft.

Kreyolicious: You been to Haiti?
Nancy Fenelon: Yes I have, twice. In 2013 and 2014. It was amazing.

Kreyolicious: Where do you see your career as a playwright going?
Nancy Fenelon: I see my work being produced and shared in the wider playwright community. And having the ability to create space for different voices and stories.

Stone in the Water will be be showing from Nov 8-10 at the Black Lady Theater on Nostrand.

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