Stones in the Sun

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Dante C I recently had the opportunity to view "Stones in the Sun," and I wanted to share my thoughts on the film. Firstly, I would like to commend the actors for their efforts in their respective roles. Despite the challenges they faced, their dedication to their performances was evident. However, the overall execution of the film did not quite reach its potential, leading me to rate it a 3 out of 5. It is my opinion that the directorial approach did not effectively harness the talents of the cast nor the narrative's depth. Having observed numerous projects, both mainstream and independent, I have noted that the involvement of an experienced director can significantly elevate a film’s quality. A proficient director is truly the heart of any cinematic work, skillfully guiding the visual storytelling and extracting the best performances from their actors. In the case of "Echoes of Silence," it seemed that the lack of directorial experience impacted the movie's coherence and the ability to compellingly convey its message. This was not a shortfall in the script or the actors' capabilities but rather in how the director orchestrated these elements. In the rapidly evolving film industry, continuous improvement is key, and constructive feedback is a vital part of this process. My intent is to offer insights that could contribute to enhancing future projects. Thank you for considering my perspective. I remain passionate about film as an art form, and I am always eager to see growth and innovation in new projects. Please feel free to reach out if you wish to discuss this in further detail. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/08/25 Full Review Audience Member STONES IN THE SUN directed by Haitian filmmaker Patricia Benoit focusing on the struggling lives of Haitian immigrants in Brooklyn, NY who had fled the torture and repressive reigns of Papa Doc Duvalier and Baby Doc Duvalier, his generals and the Tontons Macoutes/death squads in the 1980's. "Duvalier authorized the Tontons Macoutes to commit systematic violence and human rights abuses to suppress political opposition. They were responsible for unknown numbers of murders and rapes in Haiti. He included among his opponents those who proposed progressive social systems. Political opponents often disappeared overnight, or were sometimes attacked in broad daylight. Tontons Macoutes stoned and burned people alive. Many times they put the corpses of their victims on display, often hung in trees for everyone to see and take as warnings against opposition..." (Wikipedia.) STONES IN THE SUN makes clear that we can leave our land but the land remains steadfast in our hearts; memories are seared into the ex-patriates' consciousness; the scars and beauty of the homeland weaves them to their past forever. Benoit concentrates on 3 families to give a fuller dimension to the diaspora. I was particularly moved by a married couple, achingly played by Patricia Rhinvil as the wife Vita and her husband Ronald (James Noel,) a cabdriver who was forced to flee for demonstrating in Haiti, leaving his wife behind at the mercy of men in the dark who commit bestiality upon women's flesh. The history of sexual brutality is wreaked upon Vita's slight frame. She arrives at the Airport, shyly observing her husband with sideways looks - fear, love and apprehension flicker across her face; beautifully acted; words are superfluous. Glimpses of a more care-free time are cut into the frames - what might have been - and what was, and what is. Haitian proverb: "Stones in the water don't know the suffering of stones in the sun." Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Stones in the Sun

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