The stories that people tell in "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" are fascinating, as this documentary looks at Haiti during one of the most turbulent years in its history — 2004, which saw a change in government in the impoverished Caribbean country.

Unfortunately, the methods of storytelling employed by the filmmakers are less than fascinating. "Ghosts of Cite Soleil" is a curiously unfocused, rambling film that never really settles on exactly what it wants to say or exactly which stories it wants to tell.

The "ghosts" referred to in the title are known in that country as "chimeres," gang leaders deputized by Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. (Cite Soleil is one of the larger and more violent slums of capital city Port-au-Prince.)

Co-directors Asger Leth and Milos Loncarevic spotlight two brothers who are involved in political unrest, Winson "2Pac" Jean and James "Bily" Petit Frere. Bily is one of Aristide's "chimeres," while, for the most part, 2Pac is trying to stay out of things and concentrate on his musical career. Leth and Loncarevic also follow a French aid worker, Eleonore "Lele" Senlis, who becomes involved with the two brothers.

The film's assembly and editing is a little questionable. About midway through, the filmmakers suddenly decide to look at some of the rebels trying to topple Aristide's regime. And then that subplot is abandoned completely.

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Also too much time is given to 2Pac's rap-music aspirations. He is shown performing and interacting with Fugees member Wyclef Jean (who produced the film and contributed to its soundtrack). But at no point do we learn whether 2Pac's career is viable.

The movie's ending is pretty abrupt as well, which implies that the filmmakers were forced to cut short their Haitian journey.

"Ghosts of Cite Soleil" is not rated but would probably receive an R for disturbing and graphic violent imagery (shootings, warfare and violent riot suppression), strong sexual language (profanity, slang and other talk), gory imagery, drug content (marijuana use and references), slurs based on race and nationality, female and full male nudity, vulgarity, and brief sexual contact. Running time: 85 minutes.


E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com

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