Die Straße der Negerhütten

A wonderful depiction of the life of a young black boy in the Martinique in the '30s. The film gives an impressionist view of life in the French colony and of the uneasy coexistence between the two worlds of the descendants of slaves, kept in a de facto economic slavery, and of the békés (whites). The fact that a lot of issues are just suggested and not described at length makes the movie even more interesting. One could argue that the general story may be too optimistic and that the direction of children groups is not perfect. I found that this adds to the charm of the movie. The too main characters, the young boy (Garry Cadenat) and his grandmother (Darling Legitimus), are wonderful. One of the most moving film I have seen in a long time. Note that one the characters in the movie longs to become an actor in Hollywood, while the director Euzhan Palcy eventually went herself to Hollywood to direct with success inter alia A dry white season.

Few films capture the hope and desperation of a people. Even fewer can venture into the hearts and souls of their characters to reveal humanity. I have heard many stories, and seen many movies, but Sugar Cane Alley stands above many others, for it uses film as a canvas for emotions, realities, and dreams.

The actors in this movie glow. All of them from Jose to his grandmother to Medouze to the children of the plantation system. It is hard to picture these people in any other place: their voices, their actions, their feelings, the way they run, laugh, swim-it all seems to come naturally. It feels real and true.

The camera work furthers our understanding of the characters by juxtaposing the lush landscape of Martinque with the routine of plantation work. There will be times when the viewer will want to pause the film to look at a scene as one might view a painting, Sugar Cane Alley is a true motion picture. Every shot showcases perfectly balanced lighting and color.

Then there are social messages, messages that cannot be as well described as viewed, about justice, hope, opportunity, and determination.

I cannot rank a film I have seen higher than this one. It is simply a must-see.

Martinique, early 1930s: José (Garry Cadenat) is an orphaned, 11-year-old boy who lives with his maternal grandmother, M'Man Tine (Darling Légitimus), in a modest home. They live in a shanty town in which the black adults (descendants of slaves) work in exploitative conditions cutting sugar-cane for white, French plantation owners. M'Man Tine is determined that José get a good education in order to avoid a fate similar to hers. "Sugar Cane Alley" is based on the autobiographical novel by Joseph Zobel.

When the opening credits include beautiful music and splendid vintage photos, it's fair to guess that a great film is to follow. Luckily, this guess is right.

Director/writer Euzhan Palcy shows exceptional skill in this fine film especially considering it is her first! She is very adept at creating mood, a true sign of a great director. Emotions are felt throughout the film but not with any sudden punches - more with a steady stream that gradually builds. The best examples are the scenes involving groups of mischievous children as we observe them acting out during their rare moments of freedom and the terrible guilt that follows the mischief. The naivete and vulnerability of the children is easily felt during those scenes.

The rich story also contributes to the greatness of this film. Like many other stories about racism and classism, terrible things happen. But just as the viewer expects more tragedy, it unexpectedly does not happen. Similarly, unexpected good things happen, too. The narrative also displays one of the more insidious results of racism when combined with classism. This is shown via who are further up in the social hierarchy (and those who aspire as such) looking down contemptuously at other.

The two main characters are fascinating enough yet others in smaller roles are at least as intriguing. The standouts include Medouze (Douta Seck): a wise, intense, grandfather-like figure who mentors José during his childhood; and Léopold (Laurent St-Cyr): a mixed-race boy whose white father is the owner of the plantation. Léopold lives with inner-conflict: his parents forbid him from befriending other children in school because of their race and class which would leave him with no playmates. Along with other conflicts and mixed messages, his characterization leaves the viewer curious to see a parallel story focusing on him alone - yet another sign of the wealth of this great story. - dbamateurcritic

RATING: 9 out of 10

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:

Directing by Euzhan Palcy Screenplay by Euzhan Palcy (based on the book by Joseph Zobel)

Haiku: Thank you Grandmother / For not sugar-coating our / Trip out of shanty FOUR PLUSES & A NEGATIVE: 1) French language film with Black Afro-Centric Themes. 2) Strong performances by actors and non-actors, both young and old . 3) Film is directed by a Black woman, Euzhan Palcy, who would go on to direct "A Dry White Season"... becoming the first Black woman to direct a Hollywood movie (according to IMDb trivia). 4) Uplifting themes about the importance of education, self respect, etc. for the betterment of Blacks in Martinique in the 1930s (that still ring true for Blacks everywhere today!) 5) Runtime of 103 minutes needed more consistent pacing as there were moments that felt a bit slow.

Random Thoughts: I had just dropped out of college (SUNY Buffalo) for the umpteenth time. It was difficult for me being young, Black and gay in Buffalo circa 1985. My biggest struggle was succumbing to my parents desire to see me pursue a major (Accounting) that would lead to employment versus one that I was interested in and passionate about (French and languages). After dropping out, returning home, working a series of meaningless jobs and wondering aimlessly through some local community colleges, I decided to take French lessons at the Alliance Francaise in NYC. Like in France, they "released " movies on Wednesdays and that was the highlight of my French school week.

It was at the Alliance Francaise that I first saw "Rue Cases Nègres" and it was after viewing that film I dedicated myself to becoming fluent in French, living in France, finishing school, living my life, etc. My rating of seven (7) reflects more the impact and importance of this movie for me.

If you'd like to read more of my haikus, please visit my blog at richardwallenhaiku.blogspot.com

A bright youth, living in grinding poverty in a shanty town among the cane fields of Martinique, has the chance to escape, thanks to a heroic grandmother and teachers who admire and foster his potential. While the audience sympathises with Jose's desire to get out of Black Shack Alley, it is treated to the richness of the Alley's life, to Medouze's sonorous tales of life in Afrique, to the antics of the village children, and to the kindness of its adults. It adds up to an affirmation of life that makes this an enjoyable film. If I have reservations, they are that every issue is dragged in for an airing, however brief and undeveloped (bright girl having to leave school; 'Mulatto' son of French planter unacknowledged; exploitation of workers), and that big events, e.g., deaths, are contrived to occur predictably, and at the 'right' time. Some of the direction, e.g., of the children's scenes, is a bit clunky. These things having been said, this film is a pleasant experience, and one that I recommend.