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Ghosts of Cite Soleil | 
 enlarge | Directors: Asger Leth, Milos Loncarevic
Actors: Winson Jean, James Petit Fra Re, A Leonore Senlis, Wyclef Jean
Studio: VELOCITY / THINKFILM
Category: DVD
List Price: $27.98
Buy Used: $5.28
You Save: $22.70 (81%)
New (31) Used (17) from $5.28
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 16475
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 55345
UPC: 821575553452
EAN: 0821575553452
ASIN: B000TLMWNI
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: From personal collection-dvd has scratches,artwork and case in like new condition-free upgrade to first class shipping.
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Product Description
Billed as a Caribbean epic of family, love and violence, GHOSTS OF CITE SOLEIL takes us inside the lives of notorious gang leaders who dominate the Haitian slum of Cite Soleil. The reality of life today in Haiti unfolds before us as we get to know two brothers and their stories intimately. They are 2Pac and Bily, Haitian gang leaders who strive to make better choices in a world with no choices at all. Through unprecedented access, we see the brothers love and hatred for each other, their love triangle with Lele, a French relief worker, and their unsavory pact with President Aristide during his desperate grasp to maintain power in early 2004. Speaking the language of violence and knowing that staying alive in Haiti is a very day-to-day proposition, 2Pac and Bily struggle to find a better life for themselves and for their people.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 do not be fooled by appearance August 1, 2008
Irena Jakopanec (Norway, Europe)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This "documentary" might seem without proper structure, yet it provides you with all you need to know. Yes, the historical background is not provided in depth, but so what? You expect to learn on this from this movie? Go read a book! You have all the tools you need to judge. I've been watching it alone first, then with a roommate and then with a Haitian. And I rarely see any move more than once. Anyhow, here are the results: personally, I was shattered. My roommate is an idiot. Haitian was not, so we really bonded on this one. I was surprised my roommate (a young, intelligent man in his twenties) could "dis-interprete" the strong message this movie has. Ok, maybe it's this generation z thing or something, but if this is possible, I love this documentary even more. So it is up to you to notice WHO carries guns and who doesn't, who is supposed to help and who doesn't, who expresses very pathological behaviour, who kills, in short, who has the power and who doesn't. There are a lot of people in Cite Soleil struggling to survive and many of them actually do not deal drugs and do not posess guns. Keep that in mind, let the beauty and the charisma of 2Pac not fool you, and you'll be well off. Climb out of gangsta syndrome and see the big picture.
 simply propaganda despite some great visuals and musics July 6, 2008
PaulTrouillot (florida)
The flm portrays Aristide as the villain and the thugs as heroes.
Not honnest documentary filmmaking. Most of the scenes seem staged.
Some of the visuals are stunning and I have to say that music is really good.
 A good documentary that could have been excellent... March 21, 2008
Belen (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
"Ghosts of Cite Soleil" is a good documentary that could have been excellent, if its directors had chosen to dedicate some time to provide the spectator with a better context regarding what was happening in Haiti at the time this film was made, 2004. Without it, we "see" what was happening during Haiti's civil war through the eyes of two gang leaders who took active part in it, but we don't really understand what is going on, or why.
That doesn't mean this documentary is not worth watching, as it gives you an idea of what the lives of the people who lived in the slum of Cite Soleil were like, and the few choices they had in order to stay alive. Become a chimere (or "ghost") and be a part of the gang or die, kill or be killed. Furthermore, "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" prompts you to find out on your own what it doesn't give you, that is, at least a little more information regarding the historical, political, social and economic roots of the deep unrest we witness throughout the film.
On the whole, I can say that "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" portrays a shocking and violent reality in a crude but effective way. I recommend this documentary, but with some reservations: it is not perfect, and it is certainly not for the weak of heart.
Belen Alcat
Insightful, tough to watch but sad and touching January 28, 2008
Kevin W. Campigotoot (niagara falls, ontario Canada)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a really great, powerful documentary. If you're looking for a clear narrative or some answers its not the best source. It documents the lives of Haitians living and dying in Cite Soliel. While it really isn't super coherent, it does show the inescapable poverty and cyclical misery that so many Haitians face.
Worst Kind Of Drivel January 8, 2008
Ioannou Ioannis
3 out of 9 found this review helpful
I cannot understand the positive reviews on this site. This is quite possibly the worst documentary I have ever seen. I could not even sit through it all. I don't write many reviews, but I was so disappointed with this DVD that I felt I should warn others.
The interviews, dialogue and action all appear to be staged, and there are no coherent threads or underlying points to the story to make the viewer empathize or care about the characters. The two men, 2pac and Bily, are self-glorifying wannabe gangsters with very little charisma or force of personality. In addition, there is a pathetic French 'relief worker' who slums it with these guys, although the only relief she seems to offer them both is of a sexual nature.
It is the worst kind of drivel, no doubt made by some middle-class European art fart who is fascinated with violence, poverty and slums and has fantasies of being a gangster rapper.
Better buy the much better City Of God, or the truly excellent Garandiru.
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