Brooklyn-based filmmaker, Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich, is set to unveil her highly anticipated debut feature, ‘The Ballad Of Suzanne Césaire’, at the Rotterdam Film Festival. This thought-provoking film explores the legacy of Martinique-born feminist and anticolonial activist, Suzanne Césaire.
Hunt-Ehrlich’s debut film is the result of five years of meticulous research and numerous trips back and forth to Martinique and Paris. During these trips, she had the opportunity to interview the late writer’s children, Ina, Marc, and Marie, gaining invaluable insights into Suzanne Césaire’s life and work.
An Actress’s Journey
Starring French actress Zita Henrot, known for her roles in ‘Angry Annie’ and ‘The Hook-Up Plan’, the film follows the story of an actress and new mother who embarks on a journey to Martinique to portray the role of Suzanne Césaire. Through this transformative experience, she seeks to find meaning in Césaire’s writing and make a connection with the activist’s legacy.
Henrot is joined by Motell Foster, recognized for his recurring role in Netflix’s ‘Clickbait’, and Josué Gutierrez, whose credits include ‘Bloodline’. Together, they bring depth and authenticity to the characters, amplifying the emotional impact of the narrative.
The Influential Voice
Born in Martinique in 1915, Suzanne Césaire played a pivotal role in the Négritude and Surrealist movements in the Caribbean during the first half of the 20th century. Despite publishing influential works over just four years in the 1940s, Césaire’s legacy was often overshadowed by the fame of her husband, the poet, writer, and politician, Aime Césaire.
The Central Question
The central question that Hunt-Ehrlich poses in the film is: What happened to such a promising voice? Césaire’s constant writing, even though much of it remained unpublished, begs further exploration. Was it a refusal to submit to external validation or perhaps a higher awareness of the impermanence of fame? The filmmaker also delves into the potential darker side effects of the entrenched patriarchy within society.
Produced with Care
The film is produced by Sophie Luo and Mike S. Ryan, who have skillfully supported Hunt-Ehrlich in bringing this fascinating story to life on the silver screen.
‘The Ballad Of Suzanne Césaire’ promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking film, shedding light on the life and legacy of an extraordinary woman. With a talented cast and passionate filmmakers behind it, the movie will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on audiences at the Rotterdam Film Festival and beyond.