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      Sugar Cane Alley

      PG Released Sep 21, 1983 1h 45m Comedy Drama List
      100% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 81% Audience Score 500+ Ratings In the French colony of Martinique in the 1930s, rambunctious teenager Jose (Garry Cadenat) lives in a rundown shack in a small farm village with his doting grandmother, M'Man Tine (Darling Legitimus). While studying diligently at the local school, Jose also learns at the side of wise village elder Medouze (Douta Seck), who tells him first-hand of the lives of African slaves. When Jose wins a scholarship to a prestigious high school in the capital, he brings the wisdom of the village with him. Read More Read Less
      Sugar Cane Alley

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      Critics Consensus

      Visually and thematically evocative, Sugar Cane Alley tells a story that's heartbreaking and uplifting in equal measure.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Laurie Horn Miami Herald Sometimes the best thing about a movie is its ability to create a sense of texture Sugar Cane Alley is textural in almost every aspect. Rated: 3/4 May 7, 2021 Full Review David Robinson Times (UK) It is, what is more. the most attractive and optimistic film at present on show in London. Which is not to sav that it is without ferocity. May 7, 2021 Full Review Derek Malcolm Guardian Even the superb sepia-toned print seems to be enjoying itself, basking in the Martinique sun as Palcy illustrates her theme with bold and confident brushstrokes. May 7, 2021 Full Review Henry Sheehan Los Angeles Reader Euzhan Palcy's movie shines like the warm summer days of childhood; it captures a youngster's confusing passage into adulthood, his dawning awareness of the world that stretches beyond his poor home village. Aug 12, 2022 Full Review Philip French Observer (UK) I don't think anyone could leave this wonderful film without feeling more hopeful about the possibilities of the world around us. May 7, 2021 Full Review Noel Taylor Ottawa Citizen Effortlessly enchanting. May 7, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Alec B A deeply moving story that treats its characters and their circumstances honestly while never feeling too depressing or sentimental. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Audience Member A deeply moving story that treats its characters and their circumstances honestly while never feeling too depressing or sentimental. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member All ages admitted; LOL & ROFL Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Based on a semi-autobiographical novel written by Josef Zobel, this is a wonderful, heart-warming movie set in Martinique in the early thirties. We see the African population working in the cane fields are no longer slaves. But the white masters of a generation ago have now become their bosses, and whilst no longer entitled to beat them are still paying them wages that keep them in poverty in their village 'shacks'. Our young protagonist's Grandmother knows that only a college education in the capital will save her bright boy from a future in the cane fields. That there are so few other period pieces set in the Caribbean of any quality makes this one even more unmissable. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member This film really captures the essence of the sugar cane culture in Martinique in the 1930s. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Direct and moving coming-of-age tale in 1930s Martinique, as an intelligent young boy struggles with issues of class and race. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/20/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Sugar Cane Alley

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis In the French colony of Martinique in the 1930s, rambunctious teenager Jose (Garry Cadenat) lives in a rundown shack in a small farm village with his doting grandmother, M'Man Tine (Darling Legitimus). While studying diligently at the local school, Jose also learns at the side of wise village elder Medouze (Douta Seck), who tells him first-hand of the lives of African slaves. When Jose wins a scholarship to a prestigious high school in the capital, he brings the wisdom of the village with him.
      Director
      Euzhan Palcy
      Screenwriter
      Euzhan Palcy, Joseph Zobel
      Distributor
      Orion Pictures, New Yorker Films
      Production Co
      SU.MA.FA.
      Rating
      PG
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama
      Original Language
      French (Canada)
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Sep 21, 1983, Original
      Runtime
      1h 45m