Euzhan Palcy's Sugar Cane Alley takes place in Martinique. The main character, Jose (Garry Cadenat) lives with his grandmother (Darling Legitimus) who insists that Jose never works in the sugar cane fields. The film follows them as they move from the sugar cane village to the city where he attends an elite school. Along the way, he absorbs a rich understanding of race in Martinique.
Roger Ebert mentioned in his review of the film that it feels like it is based on the director's own life and that "it's a surprise to discover that the director based it on a novel." The film certainly feels autobiographical, and reveals details from an intimate vantage point.
In an interview about the film, Palcy states her aim with the movie precisely: "I wanted to make a film that could touch people, awaken their consciences to a sense of change--a revolt in a positive sense--and move them to struggle peacefully for a better life, to come to see themselves as people with dignity." There is an insistence on dignity throughout the film, but the way it is absorbed by Jose keeps it from being preachy.
The film is doesn't merely go from one lesson on race to the next and it never seems to be merely about a message. I suggest that it is because Palcy lets each lesson become a part of Jose. Each lesson Jose learns tends to show up later in the film as if he carried the lesson with him.
The film is doesn't merely go from one lesson on race to the next and it never seems to be merely about a message. I suggest that it is because Palcy lets each lesson become a part of Jose. Each lesson Jose learns tends to show up later in the film as if he carried the lesson with him.
In Jose's time with Medouze (Douta Seck--a West African actor), for example, he learns about a slave revolt where the only change was that the "master" became "boss." What Jose learns from Medouze is carried to another important scene where Jose writes an essay about Medouze and is accused of cheating by his teacher at the elite school. Of course, Jose does not cheat or even fabricate about Medouze.
In another school scene, Jose explains the difference between "singing" and "cackling." The language Jose uses borders on poetry and this capacity for making words dance is carried to another scene when a woman behind a ticket counter yells at a thief (who runs off). She says that she hates blacks (though she herself is black). She adds, "Except for my color, I am not black. My character is white." Jose responds, "I'm sure no white ever yelled 'I hate my race' when another white stole, or even murdered. Then why, for a trifle, are you willing to condemn all blacks?" Jose carries his learning with him.
The film's purpose is "revolt in a positive sense," and the revolt is brought to us with the closeness of a memoir. In the balance, there are lessons on race to be carried. When they later get used, the lessons are transformed into dignity.
IMDb rates this film 7.3 stars out of 10
Film 101 rates this film 3 stars out of 5
Euzhan Palcy quoted from Patricia Aufderheide at http://www.library.american.edu/subject/media/aufderheide/sugar.html
Roger Ebert quoted from his online review.
