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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.

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)

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, in the early 1930s. Young José and his grandmother live in a small village. Nearly everyone works cutting cane and barely earning a living. The overseer can fine a worker for the smallest infraction.

I know nothing about Martinique, but imagine that what this film depicts is not all that far off from the world of Haiti, which is more familiar to me. The overall story seems the same: poor folks who must work the sugar cane fields to survive. Not quite slaves, but not all that much better off.

The film shows the way out as education, which is fair. But the only real way out is to leave. It is a story bigger than Martinique. We see it in the slums, we see it on Indian reservations. No amount of education can make a home more bearable if the home has little to offer. It's an awful conflict.

I bought already some tickets at cinema when the movie was projected and took bus alone to watch them in a biggest city. I was very impressed by this movie. People have inside the spirit of justice and equal opportunities compared school results will be sensible. This movie is about difficulty to access to higher levels and best classrooms. A sensible movie talking about segregation with favoritisms. More recently, '12 years a slave' movie can be visited again about same tragedies. You will not back to your home without thinking about. A good way maybe to give to students all copies for each exams in future.