I’m off to Haiti this coming weekend to lead a documentary workshop for 16 young men and women.  The goal is to not only to teach them the skills required, but to make an actual film.  Our topic is Carnival in Jacmel.

I believe in the power of the collective and know that 16 relatively inexperienced young people who are enthusiastic, dedicated, open minded and intelligent can do in a week what one experienced filmmaker could not accomplished in a month.  So we set out to tell the story of Carnival in a country that had the only successful slave revolt in the world.  Toussaint L’Ouverture, a freed slave, guided Haiti to independence in 1805, becoming the second country in the Western Hemisphere to create its own independent nation.  Carnival in Haiti is filled with all kinds of symbolism that will emerge without doubt over the course of the production.  All of the students have begun tracking down characters to follow during the week and all were guided by my friend and fellow filmmaker, Annie Nocenti.  She sent back photos and they’re pretty amazing.

My conclusion?  My life’s trajectory continues to unfold in unexpected ways.  Angola Prison, named for slaves that were brought over from Africa.  Liberia, a nation founded by freed slaves in West Africa.  And now Haiti.  There are no accidents or coincidences in life.