The Price of Sugar
Encyclopedia
The Price of Sugar is a 2007 documentary directed by Bill Haney and produced by Haney and Eric Grunebaum about exploitation of Haiti
an immigrants in the Dominican Republic
involved with production of sugar, and the efforts of Spanish priest Father Christopher Hartley
to ameliorate their situation. It is narrated by actor Paul Newman
. The documentary shows the poor working conditions in the sugar cane plantations, and political control exerted by the Vicini family
to stifle efforts to change the situation.
While the documentary highlights the efforts of Father Christopher Hartley to bring medicine, education, and human rights to Haitian workers, it also shows the widespread resentment of his actions held by Dominican people.
Film Festival.
On November 19, 2007, The Price of Sugar was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
as one of 15 films on its documentary feature Oscar shortlist.
The documentary did not make the nomination list for the Oscar Documentary Feature category.
interview conducted after the filing of the lawsuit, "'The misrepresentation are very egregious,' says Read McCaffrey, a partner in the law firm Patton Boggs
(representing the Vicinis), 'and as deceptive as I have seen in a very long time.'"
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
an immigrants in the Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
involved with production of sugar, and the efforts of Spanish priest Father Christopher Hartley
Christopher Hartley
Christopher Hartley is a British-Spanish Catholic missionary priest who labored from 1997 to 2006 among the Haitian sugar cane workers of the bateyes in Los Llanos in the municipality of Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic to bring more humane conditions to their lives and work...
to ameliorate their situation. It is narrated by actor Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
. The documentary shows the poor working conditions in the sugar cane plantations, and political control exerted by the Vicini family
Vicini
- Juan Bautista Vicini :Bautista, was born on February 25 1847 in Zoagli, a coastal village near Genoa. Son of Angelo and Anna Canepa Vicini. Juan Bautista Vicini left Italy and went to the Dominican Republic in 1860, when he was only twelve years old....
to stifle efforts to change the situation.
While the documentary highlights the efforts of Father Christopher Hartley to bring medicine, education, and human rights to Haitian workers, it also shows the widespread resentment of his actions held by Dominican people.
Critical reception
The documentary won the audience award at the 2007 South by SouthwestSouth by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Film Festival.
On November 19, 2007, The Price of Sugar was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
as one of 15 films on its documentary feature Oscar shortlist.
The documentary did not make the nomination list for the Oscar Documentary Feature category.
Defamation lawsuit
Subjects of the film, Felipe and Juan Vicini Lluberes, filed a defamation suit on August 31, 2007 against Uncommon Productions and producer Bill Haney, alleging 53 factual inaccuracies. According to an NPRNPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
interview conducted after the filing of the lawsuit, "'The misrepresentation are very egregious,' says Read McCaffrey, a partner in the law firm Patton Boggs
Patton Boggs
Patton Boggs is a full service law firm and lobbyist headquartered in Washington, D.C. It has more than 600 lawyers and professionals in nine locations in the United States and the Middle East. Patton Boggs specializes in , , , , international and trade law with over 200 international clients from...
(representing the Vicinis), 'and as deceptive as I have seen in a very long time.'"
See also
- The Sugar BabiesThe Sugar BabiesThe Sugar Babies is a feature-length documentary film that vividly explores the lives of descendants of African slaves delivered to the island of Hispaniola to help produce sugar...
- The Last Mountain, a 2011 film by Haney