Synopsis

To some, rara music represents all that is negative and unwholesome about Haitian culture, with links to Vodou practices, especially animal sacrifice. To others, rara is “the mouthpiece of the poor”, a form of music born out of the hardship of a people, Haiti’s blues. This film is the story of Dja-Rara, a top rara band from Brooklyn, from its spontaneous formation in the early 1990s—synchronous with Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s first presidency—to the present day, through changes in its line-up and sound, mirroring the political changes back in Haiti. Featuring excellent archival and often poignant observational footage, "The Other Side of the Water" is a finely crafted celebration of the spirit of a people who persevere in keeping their culture alive, though they happen to be separated from that culture, lot bo dlo—on the other side of the water.

Details

Medium Length (62mins) Musical, , Drama | Haiti, United States of America

Language:

English, Haitian Creole

Production

Producers:

Jeremy Robins
Magali Damas

Directors:

Jeremy Robins
Magali Damas