On the Verge of a Fever: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|2004 Canadian film}} |
{{short description|2004 Canadian film}} |
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{{use dmy dates |date=May 2024}} |
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{{Use Canadian English|date=May 2024}} |
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{{Infobox film |
{{Infobox film |
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| name = On the Verge of a Fever |
| name = On the Verge of a Fever |
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| |
| native_name = {{Infobox name module|fr|Le Goût des jeunes filles}} |
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| image = |
| image = On the Verge of a Fever film poster.jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = ''On the Verge of a Fever'' / ''Le goût des jeunes filles'' film poster from 2004 |
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| director = [[John L'Ecuyer]] |
| director = [[John L'Ecuyer]] |
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| producer = Anne-Marie Gélinas<br>Andrew Noble |
| producer = [[Anne-Marie Gélinas]]<br>Andrew Noble<br>[[Christian Larouche]] |
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| writer = [[Dany Laferrière]] |
| writer = [[Dany Laferrière]] |
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| based_on = ''Dining with the Dictator (Le Goût des jeunes filles)'' by Dany Laferrière |
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| starring = Lansana Kourouma<br>Koumba Ball |
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| starring = Lansana Kourouma<br>Uly Darly<br>Koumba Ball<br>Néhémie Dumas<br>Maita Lavole<br>Daphnee Desravines<br>Mireille Métellus<br>[[Luck Mervil]]<br>[[Maka Kotto]] |
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| music = [[Ned Bouhalassa]]<br> |
| music = [[Ned Bouhalassa]]<br>Luck Mervil |
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| cinematography = Jean-Pierre St-Louis |
| cinematography = [[Jean-Pierre St-Louis]] |
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| editing = Aube Foglia |
| editing = [[Aube Foglia]] |
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| studio = Productions Jeux d'Ombres |
| studio = Productions Jeux d'Ombres |
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| distributor = |
| distributor = [[Christal Films]] |
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| released = {{film date|2004|9|15|[[2004 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]}} |
| released = {{film date|2004|9|15|[[2004 Toronto International Film Festival|TIFF]]}} |
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| runtime = |
| runtime = 84 minutes |
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| country = Canada |
| country = Canada |
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| language = French |
| language = French |
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| budget = |
| budget = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''''On the Verge of a Fever''''' ({{ |
'''''On the Verge of a Fever''''' ({{langx|fr|Le Goût des jeunes filles}}) is a 2004 [[Canada|Canadian]] drama film, directed by [[John L'Écuyer]].<ref name=MG05>{{cite news |date=2005-01-22 |title=Filmmaker is thriving on Montreal's vibes |newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]}}</ref> |
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==Plot== |
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The film's cast also includes Uly Darly, Mireille Metellus, Daphnée Desravines, Néhémie Dumay, Maïta Lavoie and [[Maka Kotto]], as well as cameo appearances by [[Dan Bigras]], [[Luck Mervil]] and Laferrière himself. |
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An adaptation of [[Dany Laferrière]]'s novel ''Dining with the Dictator (Le Goût des jeunes filles)'', the film is set in [[Haiti]] over the weekend in 1971 when [[François Duvalier]] died and was succeeded as president of Haiti by his son [[Jean-Claude Duvalier]]. |
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It centres on Fanfan, a fifteen-year-old boy who is hiding from the [[Tonton Macoute]] after being drawn into trouble by his friend Gégé, and who loses his virginity to Miki, the young woman sheltering him at her home.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-01-21 |title=Growing up fast |newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]}}</ref> |
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Fanfan is a character who frequently recurs in Laferrière's work,<ref>{{cite news |last=Jaggi |first=Maya |date=2013-02-01 |title=Dany Laferrière: a life in books |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/feb/01/dany-laferriere-life-in-books |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> including the concurrent film ''[[How to Conquer America in One Night]] (Comment conquérir l'Amérique en une nuit)'', which was Laferrière's own directorial debut.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ramond |first=Charles-Henri |date=2008-12-28 |title=Comment conquérir l'Amérique en une nuit – Film de Dany Laferrière |trans-title=How to Conquer America in One Night – Film by Dany Laferrière |url=https://www.filmsquebec.com/films/comment-conquerir-amerique-nuit-laferriere/ |website=Films du Québec |language=fr}}</ref> |
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==Cast== |
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* Lansana Kourouma: Fanfan<ref name=FT-rev/> |
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* Uly Darly: Gégé<ref name=FT-rev/> |
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* Koumba Ball: Miki<ref name=FT-rev/> |
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* Néhémie Dumas: Marie-Erna<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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* Maita Lavole: Pasqualine<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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* Daphnee Desravines: Choupette<ref name=var-rev/> |
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* Mireille Métellus: Fanfan's mother<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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* [[Luck Mervil]]<ref name=var-rev/> |
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* [[Maka Kotto]]: Papa<ref name=FT-rev/> |
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* Dany Laferrière: narration<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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* [[Daniela Akerblom]]: reporter<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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* [[Dan Bigras]]: photographer<ref name=LCF-rev/> |
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==Production== |
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The film, which Laferrière expected to be produced in 2002, had originally been given the working title ''Goût des jeunes filles douces''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lepage |first=Jocelyn |date=2002-08-30 |title=Dany Laferrière revient à Montréal |trans-title=Dany Laferrière returns to Montreal |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2195215 |newspaper=[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]] |via=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec|BAnQ]] |page=C3 |language=fr |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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Although set in Haiti, the film was shot primarily in [[Guadeloupe]] due to the political instability of Haiti at the time.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bessette |first=Lee Skallerup |date=2014 |chapter=7: Becoming a ''Gwo Nèg'' in 1970s Haiti: Dany Laferrièr’s Coming-of-Age Film ''Le Goût des Jeunes Filles'' (On the Verge of Fever) |editor-last1=Nandi |editor-first1=Swaralipi |editor-last2=Chatterjee |editor-first2=Esha |title=Spectacles of Blood: A Study of Masculinity and Violence in Postcolonial Films |publisher=[[Zubaan Books]] |isbn=9789383074136}}</ref> L'Écuyer's budget for the film was not enough to pay for insurance to film in [[Port-au-Prince]], so the film was largely shot in [[Pointe-à-Pitre]].<ref name=LD-05>{{cite news |last=Tremblay |first=Odile |date=2005-01-15 |title=Avec peu d'argent, mais beaucoup de coeur |trans-title=With little money, but lots of heart |url=https://www.ledevoir.com/culture/cinema/72545/avec-peu-d-argent-mais-beaucoup-de-coeur? |newspaper=[[Le Devoir]] |access-date=2024-05-03 |language=fr}}</ref> During filming, the crew encountered problems with equipment operation in the {{cvt|35|C}} weather.<ref name=LD-05/> |
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==Release== |
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The premiere performance in the United States occurred when the film was screened at the San Francisco Black Film Festival on 8 June 2005.<ref>{{cite news |date=2005-06-07 |title=Local Events |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/462651235/ |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[San Francisco Examiner]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |volume=140 |issue=247 |page=21 |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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When [[Miami Dade College]] screened the film in December 2006, the filmmakers were present afterward for a question and answer session.<ref>{{cite news |last=Arias-Polo |first=Arturo |date=2006-12-14 |title=Haití, una mirada diferente |trans-title=Haiti, a different view |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/654771406/ |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[El Nuevo Herald]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |page=D12 |access-date=2024-05-03 |language=es}}</ref> |
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==Reception== |
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''[[Le Devoir]]'''s review after the conclusion of the 2004 TIFF was mixed: while the review praised L’Écuyer's understanding of Haiti in the 1970s and his familiarity with Laferrière's works, it was disappointed with the acting.<ref name=LD04rev>{{cite news |last=Bilodeau |first=Martin |date=2004-10-09 |title=En prélude à un excitant casse-tête |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2814306 |newspaper=[[Le Devoir]] |via=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec|BAnQ]] |access-date=2024-05-03 |page=E8 |language=fr}}</ref> |
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''[[La Presse (Canadian newspaper)|La Presse]]'' rated the film three stars, saying that L’Écuyer was able to capture the moments where beauty thumbs its nose at the violence and fear of Haiti's political climate in the wake of François Duvalier's death.<ref name=LP04rev>{{cite news |last=Lussier |first=Marc-André |date=2004-10-17 |title=''La Presse'' a vu |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/2200167 |via=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec|BAnQ]] |language=fr |access-date=2024-05-03 |page=3}}</ref> |
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While ''[[Le Droit]]'' seemed impressed by L’Écuyer's ability to show the audience the tumultuous changes in an adolescent psyche – especially given the political environment, the reviewer also expressed disappointment in the acting. They felt the delivery of lines was too practiced, stating that the film "struggled" to give the characters "dimension".<ref name=LD05rev>{{cite news |last=Carignan |first=Gilles |date=2005-03-19 |title=L'adolescent veut savoir |url=https://numerique.banq.qc.ca/patrimoine/details/52327/3749405 |newspaper=[[Le Droit]] |via=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec|BAnQ]] |language=fr |page=A6}}</ref> |
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''Le Canada français'' found the film to be an intriguing tale, giving Lansana Kourouma praise for his portrayal of Fanfan.<ref name=LCF-rev>{{cite news |last=Cloutier |first=Pascal |date=2005-06-15 |title=À Haïti, entre l'enfance et l'adolescence |trans-title=In Haiti, between childhood and adolescence |newspaper=La Canada Français |page=C7 |via=[[Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec]] |language=fr}}</ref> |
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''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' was less pleased with the film, stating that the coming-of-age tale was predictable and not unique, as well as being more consistent with an anecdote than with a dramatic piece. They were also put off by the climaxes of the story, stating that the sexual climax was "mildly discomforting".<ref name=var-rev>{{cite magazine |date=2004-10-12 |title=On The Verge Of A Fever |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |url=https://variety.com/2004/film/reviews/on-the-verge-of-a-fever-1200530271/}}</ref> |
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''[[Film Threat]]'' had praise for every aspect of the production and the reviewer was particularly pleased with L’Écuyer's decision not to "force" events on the viewer, to allow the story to "seep" into the audience's awareness. Though they did point out there are moments where the film "sputters", they also made certain to note that the film would likely appeal to audiences around the world.<ref name=FT-rev>{{cite web |last=Wegg |first=James |date=2005-05-17 |title=Le Goût des jeunes filles |url=https://filmthreat.com/uncategorized/le-gout-des-jeunes-filles/ |website=[[Film Threat]] |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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The ''[[National Post]]'' rated the film three stars, commenting that the French title is illustrative of the way that the audience is given the interaction with the female characters, saying, "[T]hat's all you get of them: a taste." The reviewer does point out that there is a dichotomy in Fanfan's "delusion" that he's being pursued by the Tonton Macoute and the sexual fantasy he lives out.<ref name=NP-rev>{{cite news |last=Nestruck |first=J. Kelly |date=2005-04-29 |title=Lust in a time of dictatorship |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/514410635/ |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[National Post]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |volume=7 |issue=157 |page=PM4 |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Constitution]]'' gave a positive review, stating that L'Écuyer brings the chaos of 1971 Haiti and Fanfan's sexual awakening "smoothly", fluctuating between tension and humor and allowing characters other than Fanfan to "address the camera".<ref name=TAC-rev>{{cite news |last=Murray |first=Steve |date=2006-07-14 |title=Echoes of Africa |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/423036846 |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|The Atlanta Constitution]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |volume=58 |issue=195 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/image/423036950 E1], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/423036846 E10] |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' noted that the setting and opening of the film might lead viewers to expect something action-oriented, rather than the "more mellow path" of following Fanfan leaving his innocence behind over the course of a weekend. The reviewer commented that the story had a "certain sweetness".<ref name=LA-rev>{{cite news |last=Crust |first=Kevin |date=2006-02-09 |title=Mystical and modern |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/192761806/ |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |page=E53 |access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref> |
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==Nominations== |
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The film also received Honorable Mention for the Best Feature Jury Award at the [[Pan African Film Festival]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Filmmaker Awards Archives |url=https://www.paff.org/awards/archives/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220110085201/https://www.paff.org/awards/archives/#1637642977007-db6f4050-5532 |archive-date=2022-01-10 |website=[[Pan African Film Festival]] |date=15 November 2021 |access-date=2024-05-04}} Though the site is currently active, the archive page is the only way to see the archive for 2006 as of the access date.</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*{{ |
*{{IMDb title|0424125}} |
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*{{Rotten Tomatoes|on-the-verge-of-a-fever-le-gout-des-jeunes-filles}} |
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{{John L'Ecuyer}} |
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[[Category:2004 films]] |
[[Category:2004 films]] |
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[[Category:2004 drama films]] |
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[[Category:Canadian films]] |
[[Category:Canadian coming-of-age drama films]] |
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[[Category:Black Canadian films]] |
[[Category:Black Canadian films]] |
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[[Category:Films set in Haiti]] |
[[Category:Films set in Haiti]] |
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[[Category:Films shot in Guadeloupe]] |
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[[Category:Films based on Canadian novels]] |
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{{2000s-Canada-film-stub}} |
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[[Category:Films directed by John L'Ecuyer]] |
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Latest revision as of 21:19, 31 October 2024
On the Verge of a Fever | |
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French | Le Goût des jeunes filles |
Directed by | John L'Ecuyer |
Written by | Dany Laferrière |
Based on | Dining with the Dictator (Le Goût des jeunes filles) by Dany Laferrière |
Produced by | Anne-Marie Gélinas Andrew Noble Christian Larouche |
Starring | Lansana Kourouma Uly Darly Koumba Ball Néhémie Dumas Maita Lavole Daphnee Desravines Mireille Métellus Luck Mervil Maka Kotto |
Cinematography | Jean-Pierre St-Louis |
Edited by | Aube Foglia |
Music by | Ned Bouhalassa Luck Mervil |
Production company | Productions Jeux d'Ombres |
Distributed by | Christal Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 84 minutes |
Country | Canada |
Language | French |
On the Verge of a Fever (French: Le Goût des jeunes filles) is a 2004 Canadian drama film, directed by John L'Écuyer.[1]
Plot
[edit]An adaptation of Dany Laferrière's novel Dining with the Dictator (Le Goût des jeunes filles), the film is set in Haiti over the weekend in 1971 when François Duvalier died and was succeeded as president of Haiti by his son Jean-Claude Duvalier.
It centres on Fanfan, a fifteen-year-old boy who is hiding from the Tonton Macoute after being drawn into trouble by his friend Gégé, and who loses his virginity to Miki, the young woman sheltering him at her home.[2]
Fanfan is a character who frequently recurs in Laferrière's work,[3] including the concurrent film How to Conquer America in One Night (Comment conquérir l'Amérique en une nuit), which was Laferrière's own directorial debut.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Lansana Kourouma: Fanfan[5]
- Uly Darly: Gégé[5]
- Koumba Ball: Miki[5]
- Néhémie Dumas: Marie-Erna[6]
- Maita Lavole: Pasqualine[6]
- Daphnee Desravines: Choupette[7]
- Mireille Métellus: Fanfan's mother[6]
- Luck Mervil[7]
- Maka Kotto: Papa[5]
- Dany Laferrière: narration[6]
- Daniela Akerblom: reporter[6]
- Dan Bigras: photographer[6]
Production
[edit]The film, which Laferrière expected to be produced in 2002, had originally been given the working title Goût des jeunes filles douces.[8]
Although set in Haiti, the film was shot primarily in Guadeloupe due to the political instability of Haiti at the time.[9] L'Écuyer's budget for the film was not enough to pay for insurance to film in Port-au-Prince, so the film was largely shot in Pointe-à-Pitre.[10] During filming, the crew encountered problems with equipment operation in the 35 °C (95 °F) weather.[10]
Release
[edit]The film premiered at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival.[11]
The premiere performance in the United States occurred when the film was screened at the San Francisco Black Film Festival on 8 June 2005.[12]
When Miami Dade College screened the film in December 2006, the filmmakers were present afterward for a question and answer session.[13]
Reception
[edit]Le Devoir's review after the conclusion of the 2004 TIFF was mixed: while the review praised L’Écuyer's understanding of Haiti in the 1970s and his familiarity with Laferrière's works, it was disappointed with the acting.[14]
La Presse rated the film three stars, saying that L’Écuyer was able to capture the moments where beauty thumbs its nose at the violence and fear of Haiti's political climate in the wake of François Duvalier's death.[15]
While Le Droit seemed impressed by L’Écuyer's ability to show the audience the tumultuous changes in an adolescent psyche – especially given the political environment, the reviewer also expressed disappointment in the acting. They felt the delivery of lines was too practiced, stating that the film "struggled" to give the characters "dimension".[16]
Le Canada français found the film to be an intriguing tale, giving Lansana Kourouma praise for his portrayal of Fanfan.[6]
Variety was less pleased with the film, stating that the coming-of-age tale was predictable and not unique, as well as being more consistent with an anecdote than with a dramatic piece. They were also put off by the climaxes of the story, stating that the sexual climax was "mildly discomforting".[7]
Film Threat had praise for every aspect of the production and the reviewer was particularly pleased with L’Écuyer's decision not to "force" events on the viewer, to allow the story to "seep" into the audience's awareness. Though they did point out there are moments where the film "sputters", they also made certain to note that the film would likely appeal to audiences around the world.[5]
The National Post rated the film three stars, commenting that the French title is illustrative of the way that the audience is given the interaction with the female characters, saying, "[T]hat's all you get of them: a taste." The reviewer does point out that there is a dichotomy in Fanfan's "delusion" that he's being pursued by the Tonton Macoute and the sexual fantasy he lives out.[17]
The Atlanta Constitution gave a positive review, stating that L'Écuyer brings the chaos of 1971 Haiti and Fanfan's sexual awakening "smoothly", fluctuating between tension and humor and allowing characters other than Fanfan to "address the camera".[18]
The Los Angeles Times noted that the setting and opening of the film might lead viewers to expect something action-oriented, rather than the "more mellow path" of following Fanfan leaving his innocence behind over the course of a weekend. The reviewer commented that the story had a "certain sweetness".[19]
Nominations
[edit]It was a Black Reel Award nominee for Outstanding Independent Film at the Black Reel Awards of 2006.[citation needed]
The film also received Honorable Mention for the Best Feature Jury Award at the Pan African Film Festival in 2006.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Filmmaker is thriving on Montreal's vibes". Montreal Gazette. 22 January 2005.
- ^ "Growing up fast". Montreal Gazette. 21 January 2005.
- ^ Jaggi, Maya (1 February 2013). "Dany Laferrière: a life in books". The Guardian.
- ^ Ramond, Charles-Henri (28 December 2008). "Comment conquérir l'Amérique en une nuit – Film de Dany Laferrière" [How to Conquer America in One Night – Film by Dany Laferrière]. Films du Québec (in French).
- ^ a b c d e Wegg, James (17 May 2005). "Le Goût des jeunes filles". Film Threat. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Cloutier, Pascal (15 June 2005). "À Haïti, entre l'enfance et l'adolescence" [In Haiti, between childhood and adolescence]. La Canada Français (in French). p. C7 – via Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
- ^ a b c "On The Verge Of A Fever". Variety. 12 October 2004.
- ^ Lepage, Jocelyn (30 August 2002). "Dany Laferrière revient à Montréal" [Dany Laferrière returns to Montreal]. La Presse (in French). p. C3. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via BAnQ.
- ^ Bessette, Lee Skallerup (2014). "7: Becoming a Gwo Nèg in 1970s Haiti: Dany Laferrièr's Coming-of-Age Film Le Goût des Jeunes Filles (On the Verge of Fever)". In Nandi, Swaralipi; Chatterjee, Esha (eds.). Spectacles of Blood: A Study of Masculinity and Violence in Postcolonial Films. Zubaan Books. ISBN 9789383074136.
- ^ a b Tremblay, Odile (15 January 2005). "Avec peu d'argent, mais beaucoup de coeur" [With little money, but lots of heart]. Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "African cinema's moment in the sun; Continent better represented at fest than ever: Pioneering movie in Zulu among noteworthy flicks". Toronto Star. 10 September 2004.
- ^ "Local Events". San Francisco Examiner. Vol. 140, no. 247. 7 June 2005. p. 21. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Arias-Polo, Arturo (14 December 2006). "Haití, una mirada diferente" [Haiti, a different view]. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). p. D12. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Bilodeau, Martin (9 October 2004). "En prélude à un excitant casse-tête". Le Devoir (in French). p. E8. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via BAnQ.
- ^ Lussier, Marc-André (17 October 2004). "La Presse a vu" (in French). p. 3. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via BAnQ.
- ^ Carignan, Gilles (19 March 2005). "L'adolescent veut savoir". Le Droit (in French). p. A6 – via BAnQ.
- ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (29 April 2005). "Lust in a time of dictatorship". National Post. Vol. 7, no. 157. p. PM4. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Murray, Steve (14 July 2006). "Echoes of Africa". The Atlanta Constitution. Vol. 58, no. 195. pp. E1, E10. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Crust, Kevin (9 February 2006). "Mystical and modern". Los Angeles Times. p. E53. Retrieved 3 May 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Filmmaker Awards Archives". Pan African Film Festival. 15 November 2021. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2024. Though the site is currently active, the archive page is the only way to see the archive for 2006 as of the access date.