Indie Incognito Fall 2021 Issue

JAQUIL

CONSTANT

Mr Resolute !

Story by Tony Smith

Jacquil Constant is a Haitian American independent filmmaker with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Production and a Masters of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Pan African Studies and Cinema Television and Arts from California State University Northridge (CSUN). In 2006, Jacquil established Constant Production, which has various music videos, short films, and commercial productions to its credit. He is also the founder of the first ever Haiti International Film Festival in Southern California.

Jaquil invited me to his home for a one on one exclusive interview. Well, 2 hours later, we both looked at each other and realized we had not recorded a damn thing. We had just spent that time chopping it up and kicking it like old buddies. There is an infectious quality about this man that put me at ease immediately. He shared stories about his upbringing, the struggle with making it in the film industry and about life today, as we know it.

We talked about the turmoil in the United States as well as in his native Haiti. How there are parallels and stark differences in our approaches to freedoms, equities, poverty and plight. Jaquil made it clear that his love and commitment to his native land is unquestionably resolute.

POINGNANT

INTROSPECTIVE

ENLIGHTENING

INSPIRING

RESOLUTE

&

Jaquil Constant Q&A with Indie Incognito Magazine

What do the words "independent filmmaker," and is it challenging to maintain individuality?

The definition of independent is producing a film outside the studio system. As a Haitian- American filmmaker, I had to be independent because there is no space to showcase untraditional narratives. That is why I established my production company Constant Production and the Haiti International Film Festival. I became an independent filmmaker by studying auteurs of independent filmmakers such as Spike Lee, Raoul Peck, L.A. Film Rebellion, Ousmane Sembene.

I keep my individuality because my films are rooted in showcasing the humanity of African and Haitian Diaspora culture. Also, cinema has a significant cultural value to shift the consciousness to change the world.

What inspired you to become a film director and why?

I was inspired by Spike Lee's masterpiece film Malcolm X when I was a teenager. I love the story of a civil rights leader who gave his life to better his community.

Seeing a Black man taken care of his community impacted me as a young man raised in a singleparent home. This is the reason I produce social realism film to showcase the humanity of society.

Your films are substantive, and you also think about essential subjects. How do you manage to find the perfect balance in making a film both entertaining and profound simultaneously?

My films resonate with the Haitian and African diaspora that allows them to see themselves represented authentically. Also, I am a Cinema Professor at Pasadena City College and showcase counterhegemonic films that will enable my students to become critical thinkers and storytellers to impact society. As a filmmaker, you have to balance business and art to have a sustainable career. Also, I am a director, writer, and producer. Therefore, I need to develop artistically challenging and innovative projects, allowing me to reach my niche audience to reach a Pan African global audience.

Who influenced you the most from the filmmakers of the past? Which films have affected you the most?

I would have to say Ousmane Sembene has had a tremendous impact on me as a film student. In my French Cinema Class, learning about Francophone Cinema allowed me to find my voice as a Haitian- American Filmmaker.

The film Xala is about the African middle class becoming impotent attempting to assimilate to European culture. I love the filmmaker choosing the film to be in Wolof instead of French to communicate with his people. Also, another favorite film by this filmmaker, “Black Girl,” is about a young Senegalese woman who becomes a maid to a wealthy family in France and becomes isolated and misses her culture.

Also, the film Sugar Cane Alley directed by Euzhan Palcy was the first film that displayed the sacrifice of a Black Grandmother Ma' Tine, who never let her grandson work in the sugarcane fields in Martinique during the 1930s to give him a quality education. It reminded me of my mother sacrificing everything to receive a quality education as a young Black man to become a global citizen through cinema. My mother is no longer on the planet but gave me the foundation to become the man I am today. I am a Filmmaker, Cinema Professor, Executive Director of the Haiti International Film Festival.

Your films deal with many important issues, like, for example, the imbalance in our world, and they have a darkness to them, in a way. But in real life, you often smile. How do you deal with this dark side of life?

I know we are ancestors' wildest dreams. I have the opportunity to re-connect with my culture through film and art. Being a thought leader and filmmaker allows me to influence society with original storytelling. Born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Hollywood, CA.

What keeps me smiling is understanding my purpose in life. My purpose is to help people reach their maximum potential as a filmmaker and educator. I listen to motivational speakers such as Les Brown, Vusi Thembehwaya, Christine Ntim, 19 Keys, and Gary Vee. These motivational speakers inspire me to reach new levels as an entrepreneur and creative.

Who influenced you the most from the filmmakers of the past? Which films have affected you the most?

I would have to say Ousmane Sembene has had a tremendous impact on me as a film student. In my French Cinema Class, learning about Francophone Cinema allowed me to find my voice as a Haitian- American Filmmaker. The film Xala is about the African middle class becoming impotent attempting to assimilate to European culture. I love the filmmaker choosing the film to be in Wolof instead of French to communicate with his people. Also, another favorite film by this filmmaker, “Black Girl,” is about a young Senegalese woman who becomes a maid to a wealthy family in France and becomes isolated and misses her culture.

I love to listen to Black music, and it inspires me to be creative. Especially, music about selfactualizing like Nipsey Hussle, and that is the kind of films that I want to be making in the future is contemporary classics.

How long does the process of making your films usually take?

My feature documentary, Haiti Is A Nation Of Artists, has taken me ten years because this film is produced independently. The longest time is the pre-production is the development process for the story for the narrative or documentary. Also, the shortest period in the production process is shooting the short film in a couple of days to a couple of weeks for a feature film. The last stage of the post-production process takes months to edit the film to create the short or feature film. After that, the editing is the final rewrite for the film. Then the last stage of the production process is the distribution to bring the film to the festival circuit or online.

Your films boast an ensemble of great indie actors. How do you choose them, and can you describe the process of working with them?

One of the best independent artists is Ty Hodges is a great writer/actor. He is a phenomenal artist, and he does his research and is committed to his craft as an actor and creative. When I choose actors, and I look for their talent and love their craft. Also, I have the opportunity to see talented actors such as Jimmy-Jean Louis, Bechir Sylvain, Garcelle Beauvais, and they have something special about them, and it is an It Factor.

What would you like to say to young, independent filmmakers who are just starting out?

I want to say learn the craft of filmmaking. Read books and watch a lot of films. Watch classic films from the French New Wave, Italian Neo- Realism, LA Film Rebellion. Gain experience through an internship and volunteer on independent cinema in your local area. Just start the process, and you will be changed into becoming a filmmaker.

What lasting imprints would you like to leave with your film work you're feeling throw pick work and for you as a man to up and inspiring filmmakers?

A n d . . C U T !

Being a filmmaker and executive director has allowed me to be strategic in utilizing my resources to changing the narrative of Haiti through International Film Festival. The film festival has pivoted for the last two years because of COVID-19, but, has been virtual it has increased the global reach to the African Diaspora. Also, I have created a Haitian Mentorship Program for Filmmakers to inspire the next generation of Haitian filmmakers.

4th Annual Haiti International Film Festival

At a private screening with Haitian actor Jimmy Jean Louis for his feature film, Everything But A Man in Beverly Hills, CA.

At a screening with renowned Haitian Director Roaul Peck of the Oscar Nominated film, I Am Not Your Negro in Hollywood, CA