Directed by Ben Patterson
Reviewed by Karen Henry
Slamdance is like a second cousin to Sundance Film Festival, taking place simultaneously in Park City and often introducing first-rate films that are not part of the more exclusive Sundance line-up.
Sweet Micky for President had its world premiere on January 24, 2015, at Slamdance. It is a tremendous force of a documentary. Notwithstanding the childish-sounding title, the film dramatically unveils the story of a most unlikely candidate in the 2011 Haitian presidential campaign. The intrigue in the film involves American musical superstars, a Hollywood celebrity, and a Haitian Creole folk hero — all intertwined in a fantastical political journey.
In just recent years, the island nation of Haiti has experienced both devastating hurricanes and an earthquake (in 2008 and 2010); the aftermath of these events has led to many of its citizens living in tent cities. Complicating recovery has been extensive political turmoil that has reigned for years. To wit, approximately $1 billion in aid has been delivered to the country in the wake of the devastating 2010 earthquake, yet little progress has been seen.
Some unlikely people decided to take political action. Pras Michel, former member of the hip hop group the Fugees (which also included Lauryn Hill and Wycleaf Jean), had Haitian roots. Pras’ frustration with the lack of progress in his roots country after the earthquake was captured on film by his friend Ben Patterson. Pras had an inspiration for positive change — in the form of his Haitian musical friend, Sweet Micky. Sweet Micky is the stage name of Michel Martelly, a Creole populist political singer known in part for his outrageous onstage behavior, frequently dressing in diapers and often grabbing his crotch. Yet, he was also known for his political sentiments, singing out against the various corrupt leaders of the country.
Pras felt that Micky was the one leader who could unite the populous, so he encouraged Micky to join the fray of over 30 candidates running for president in 2011. The politically inexperienced duo began to promote Sweet Micky as Michel Martelly. Michel donned suits, looking handsome and dapper with his bald head, which became his signature slogan “bald head” or “Tet Kale.” Pras introduced him to the Haitian diaspora in the US and Canada, seeking supporters. They then returned to Haiti, where Michel campaigned with concerts, causing groundswell havoc.
Ben Patterson captured everything that happened along the way—and so much happened. Without revealing too much, some of the people who entered this unusual story include: Wyclef Jean, Sean Penn, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and exiled former president Jean-Baptiste Aristide . As Pras says in the film about the presidential campaign, “You can’t make this shit up.”
The film’s music is supplied by the main protagonists, The Fugees, Wyclef Jean, and Sweet Micky, lending an authentic Haitian energy. Director Ben Patterson was seemingly omnipresent throughout the campaign, uncannily capturing essential moments on camera . The humor, the emotions, the intimacy, and the massive crowds of supporters (and detractors) make this an unusual and exciting story.
Despite premiering at a smaller film festival, I predict that this film will garner widespread attention and awards. Already, at the end of the Slamdance festival, Sweet Micky for President was awarded both top prizes for a documentary feature: the Audience Award and the Jury Award, a spectacular feat for a first-time director.
Haiti is a country whose political situation is still in the news today. You may walk away from the film with questions, but if it inspires you to investigate current Haitian issues, that’s all the better.
sweetmickyforpresident.com
Karen Henry is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA who volunteers in a variety of capacities for nonprofit organizations and artists around Los Angeles. She practices yoga as a counterbalance to her daily impact sports and is a mother of four grown children who also practice yoga . Now, she’s working on teaching yoga and joy of life to the grandkids!