Ben Patterson’s SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT
To open the 11th Montreal International Black Film Festival as a Quebec Premiere
In the presence of PRAS MICHEL, Grammy award-winning rapper and founder of THE FUGEES,
Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at Imperial Theatre – 7PM
Presented by Global News Montreal
Montreal, Wednesday, August 26, 2015 – The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF), founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global News Montreal, is proud to kick start its 11th edition with the Quebec premiere of Ben Patterson’s Sweet Micky for President on Tuesday September 29, 7PM at Imperial Theatre. Producer Pras Michel will be in attendance. Winner of both the Audience and Jury Prizes for Best Documentary at the Slamdance Film Festival, Sweet Micky for President is Patterson’s first feature film.
“We are thrilled and proud to open the festival with Sweet Micky for President which coincides with the 5th anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti. The story told by Pras Michel and Ben Patterson captures perfectly an important chapter in Haitian history.” – Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of MIBFF
Sweet Micky for President follows Pras Michel, Grammy award-winning rapper and founder of the hip-hop group, The Fugees, as he returns to his homeland of Haiti post-earthquake and finds a corrupt government in paralysis. With no experience or money, Pras passionately mobilizes a presidential campaign for the unlikeliest of candidates: Michel Martelly, aka “Sweet Micky”, Haiti’s most popular and most outlandish pop star. The idealistic and politically inexperienced pair set out against a corrupt government, civil unrest, and a fixed election system to change the course of Haitian history. When Pras’s former bandmate – superstar Wyclef Jean – also enters the presidential race, their chances seem further doomed and the story takes on the wild twists of celebrity drama. Shortly after the 2010 Haitian earthquake, Ben Patterson connected and began collaborating with Pras Michel on Sweet Micky for President. What was initially meant to document the post-earthquake recovery, soon became a whirlwind introduction to the world of international politics.
“Fascinating and wildly entertaining.” – The Hollywood Reporter
“Artfully takes us through a roller coaster ride.” – Indiewire
“It’s an important film and one that acts as a time capsule for future generations.” – FilmPulse
“One of the most unlikely stories ever captured on film.” – Billboard
The 11th Montreal International Black Film Festival, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, will be held from September 29 to October 4, 2015 and is presented by Global News Montreal.
About the Montreal International Black Film Festival – MIBFF
The Montreal International Black Film Festival (MIBFF) was created in 2005 by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cinema, art and culture. As Canada’s biggest Black Film Festival, MIBFF’s mission is to stimulate the development of the independent film industry and to foster the creation of films on international black realities. The Festival wants to promote a different kind of cinema: cinema from both here and abroad that doesn’t always make it to the silver screen. We showcase ground-breaking cinema that both moves and shocks us, all while raising awareness. Join us for a fresh look at black cinema from all four corners of the globe! www.montrealblackfilm.com
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Get festival news on:
www.montrealblackfilm.com / www.facebook.com/blackfilmfestival / www.twitter.com/filmblackmtl
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For information, interviews and promotional material:
Media Relations Manager: Talar Adam – presse@montrealblackfilm.com – (514) 833-0274
English Press Agent: Danny Payne – danny@montrealblackfilm.com – (514) 621-8657
