A cinematic journey through grief and resilience in French Guiana
French Guiana, with its lush jungles and gold mines, is rarely depicted in cinema. However, Maxime Jean-Baptiste, the director of Listen to the Voices (Kouté vwa), aims to present a different narrative. This film, showcased in the Filmmakers of the Present section at the Locarno Film Festival, avoids the typical picturesque portrayal of the region. Instead, it delves into the profound personal and collective grief experienced by a family.
A family affair: The roots of the film
Jean-Baptiste’s work often revolves around his family. His previous films, Nou Voix (2018) and Moune Ô (2021), also reflect this intimate connection. In Listen to the Voices, he collaborates with his sister, Audrey Jean-Baptiste, who co-wrote the script. The film is deeply personal, inspired by the tragic death of Jean-Baptiste’s cousin, Lucas Diomar, in 2012. This event left an indelible mark on the family, particularly on 13-year-old Melrick, Lucas’ nephew.
The narrative: A summer in French Guiana
Melrick spends his summer vacation with his grandmother, Nicole, in French Guiana, seeking an escape from his mundane life in Stains, Paris. Nicole, though deeply affected by her son’s death, has found a semblance of acceptance. In contrast, Yannick, who witnessed Lucas’ death, remains traumatized and “stuck in time.” Jean-Baptiste captures these varying stages of grief, pondering how to create a film that might aid in healing their wounds.
Crafting a polyphonic narrative
The original title, Kouté vwa, meaning “Listen to the Voices” in French Creole, encapsulates the film’s essence. It weaves together multiple testimonies, creating a resonance chamber of voices. The production team worked collaboratively, ensuring the actors felt represented accurately. This approach resulted in a blend of documentary and fiction, with Jean-Baptiste noting that fiction provided a necessary distance for the protagonists to share their stories.
A blend of documentary and fiction
Jean-Baptiste’s documentary roots are evident in the film’s opening, which features slowed-down TV coverage of a carnival dedicated to Lucas’ memory. This aesthetic choice merges archival footage with a more natural cinematic approach. One of the film’s most poignant scenes shows Nicole driving with Melrick, recounting a chance encounter with one of the men responsible for her son’s death. Her initial desire for revenge highlights the historical and ongoing violence rooted in colonialism.
The lingering impact of colonialism
The film subtly addresses the enduring consequences of colonialism, a theme that resonates deeply with Jean-Baptiste. He allows the characters to express their perspectives, even if they differ from his own. This approach underscores the complexity of colonial legacies and their impact on personal and collective experiences.
An open-ended narrative
Listen to the Voices does not offer a resolution to the characters’ grief or the violence they endure. The ambiguity of the film’s ending reflects the uncertainty of their futures. Will Melrick stay in French Guiana or return to France? How will Nicole cope with the future? These unanswered questions mirror the ongoing struggle with grief and the persistent shadow of colonial violence.
Explore more
For those interested in exploring the film further, you can watch the trailer for Listen to the Voices.
This film is a testament to the power of storytelling in addressing personal and historical trauma. Jean-Baptiste’s innovative approach, blending documentary and fiction, offers a unique lens through which to view the complexities of grief and resilience in French Guiana.