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Black Sugar

1988 57 min
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This feature documentary offers a shocking look at the living and working conditions of Haitian agricultural laborers in the Dominican Republic. Each year, some 20 000 workers cross the border to cut sugar cane, lured by promises of good money. Instead, they toil up to 14 hours per day and live in unhealthy, cramped camps without running water, electricity, medical or educational facilities.

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Black Sugar

Details

This feature documentary offers a shocking look at the living and working conditions of Haitian agricultural laborers in the Dominican Republic. Each year, some 20 000 workers cross the border to cut sugar cane, lured by promises of good money. Instead, they toil up to 14 hours per day and live in unhealthy, cramped camps without running water, electricity, medical or educational facilities.

  • director
    Michel Régnier
  • script
    Michel Régnier
  • photography
    Michel Régnier
  • editing
    Michel Régnier
  • executive producer
    Éric Michel
  • sound
    Catherine Van Der Donckt
  • sound editing
    Gilles Quintal
  • re-recording
    Hans Peter Strobl
  • narrator
    Gretta Chambers
  • music
    Alexandre Clautaire

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Education

Ages 14 to 16
School subjects
The teacher can ask students to do research to follow up on the situation of Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic. In-depth research should be suggested, since this film dates from 1987. It may be interesting to find out the current living conditions of these workers. Have they improved? Deteriorated? Have the governments of Haiti and the Dominican Republic resolved the situation?
Black Sugar
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