The Agronomist | Review

The voice of Haiti speaks loudly beyond the grave.

Chances are you’ve never had your human rights infringed upon. Chances are you’ve never heard about the man. Chances are you don’t know much about his homeland either. Consider yourself lucky.

Forever famous director of Silence of the Lambs Jonathan Demme presents Jean Dominique – a passionate, charismatic man who moved a nation of people through f.m. and a.m. radio frequencies. From the shaky beginnings of democracy and through the turmoil of the political process, Demme shows how treacherous that journey became for one heroic figure. With pipe in hand and a mounted video-camera recording their conversations, Dominique speaks to Demme about his life, his multiple exiles, his struggle, his convictions and his deep profound interest for his fellow countrymen. The Agronomist is not only about the unique radio-voice who was not afraid of criticizing that process even with the frequent death threats but is about layering the foundation for democracy. The aptly titled film demonstrates that growth through a historical timeline, Demme offers a portrait of a journalist who was bigger than life itself.

Despite the poor quality of the interview images and sometimes off-center timeline structure of the film, the reason why the documentary is so powerful is because of Dominique’s burning fervor and infuriation that perforates the screen. The documentary surprisingly drills the message home; Dominique’s spoken angered and loving words against his country shows the painful steps towards democracy and one can’t help but have admiration for a man who died for his beliefs. Demme shows how those convictions have infiltrated his immediate family and radio family, — a particularly strong moment shows Dominique’s wife on-air use taped-recordings of her husband to dispel the abuse of human rights. Tied together with a Wyclef Jean score and the footage spreading of Dominique’s ashes leave the viewer with a profound impression.

They might have sent him in exile, they might have pelted his radio station with bullets and they might have silenced him from ever making public speeches again, but as one can conclude it takes a lot more to deter the heart of the movement of freedom and democracy once the wheels have begun to turn. Despite Dominique’s fate, and the rawness of the film, The Agronomist will move you.

Rating 3.5 stars