As a film enthusiast with a penchant for stories that resonate deeply and reflect the complexities of our world, I find myself captivated by Maxime Jean-Baptiste’s debut feature, “Listen to the Voices.” Having spent a significant portion of my life traversing the globe, I can appreciate the rich tapestry of experiences that this film weaves together.
Spain’s MoreThan Films has obtained international distribution rights (excluding France) for the movie “Listen to the Voices” (originally titled “Kouté vwa”), produced by Maxime Jean-Baptiste based in Brussels and Paris. This film will have its world premiere during August’s Locarno Film Festival as part of Filmmakers of the Present section.
Jean-Baptiste’s first movie is a work of fiction that follows 13-year-old Melrick as he journeys from Stains, located in the Saint-Denis suburb of Paris, to spend his summer vacation with his grandmother in Cayenne, the capital city of French Guiana.
For Melrick, the summer could leave a lasting impact on him. It’s a journey back to his origins, as evidenced by his eagerness to learn drumming and integrate with a local band, Mayouri Tchô Neg. He appears more content than ever, further discovering his identity within the Guianese diaspora residing in France.
However, this situation also marks a new experience for him with complex moral dilemmas. On the Guiana side of his family, the tragic murder of his uncle Lucas, a captivating drummer, co-founder of Mayouri Tchô Neg, and a pioneering DJ who revolutionized Turbulence rhythms in the community, is still raw and painful after 11 years.
Lucas’ closest companion, Yannick, continues to regret not avenging himself against the killers, while Melrick, on the other hand, learns from his grandmother about the more prudent path of forgiveness.
Composed by Jean-Baptiste and his sister Audrey Jean-Baptiste, who is also a director, “Listen to the Voices” offers a deeply personal perspective while serving as an entry point into ongoing concerns in French Guiana.
In March 2012, Maxime Jean-Baptiste was 19 years old. He learned from France about the gruesome death of his cousin in Cayenne, who was fatally stabbed during a party following an altercation between some young people. Regrettably, Lucas succumbed to his injuries immediately at the scene.
In the movie, Grandmother Nicole Diomar, young relative Melrick Diomar, and Lucas’ friend Yannick Cebret each portray fictionalized versions of themselves. A pivotal concert by Mayouri Tchô Neg is filmed for the production, yet it captures moments akin to a documentary.
In “Listen to the Voices,” multiple tales exploring the director’s connection with French Guiana are woven together. The narrative aimed to authentically portray the characters while crafting a fictional work that served as a mirror reflecting the enduring issue of violence in a region steeped in the legacy of transatlantic slavery, as depicted by Jean Baptiste.
“The movie delves deep into the core of tales that have echoed through the fabric of European societies, a history that resonates with us again, carrying its harsh realities from the legendary New World we once imagined. He further commented on this.”
“Querault Pons Serra, one of the founders of MoreThan Film, shared their admiration for Maxime’s unique vision and the way he crafted a fiction device to mirror his family’s true experiences. Melrick’s acting was spellbinding, with his genuine screen presence and his openness to being filmed and exposed. The film delved into themes of violence, grief, and mourning in a profoundly intimate and intelligent manner, while simultaneously examining the intricacies and aftermaths of post-colonialism in French Guiana.” – Querault Pons Serra stated in a joint interview with EbMaster.
“Jean-Baptiste’s documentary shorts, such as ‘Listen to the Beat of Our Images’ (2021) and ‘Moune Ô’ (2022), continue their focus on local perspectives. The former critiques the construction of the Guiana Space Center as France’s spaceport in French and French Guianese Creole, while the latter exposes the enduring impact of colonial stereotypes within the Western collective consciousness.”
Under the joint direction of Audrey Jean-Baptiste, “Listen to the Beat of Our Images” was showcased at numerous film festivals, including CPH:DOX, Hotdocs, ISFF Clermont-Ferrand, IDFA, and several others. Meanwhile, “Moune Ô” made its appearance at the Berlinale Forum and True/False Festival in the United States.
“This production, titled ‘Listen to the Voices’, comes from Belgium’s Twenty Nine Studio & Production and Spectres Production based in France.”
In 2020, MoreThan Films was established. Initially focused on short films, it later expanded to documentaries, and by early 2023, it began handling features as well. Some of the notable works under its belt include “The Tundra Within Me” by Sara Magrethe Oskal (Norway), “Mountains,” helmed by Monica Sorelle (U.S.), “Muyeres” from Marta Lallana (Spain), films by Brazilian directors Pedro de Filippis (“Rejeito” and “O Estranho”) and Flora Dias and Juruna Mallón, as well as “La Sudestada,” which was a player at Rotterdam (Argentina).
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2024-07-31 11:47