Sweet Mickey-Reviewed by Me’Chele Sevanesian

A 7.1 earthquake hit the country of Haiti in 2010, leaving the country in complete devastation. With a broken country and a crumbling government the citizens of Haiti were left to put the pieces of the home back together. A well known musician known to the Haitian people as Sweet Micky sets out a political adventure to save and serve his precious country.

This documentary really opened up my mind and made me think about how much the Haitian people suffered and are still suffering. The media can only covering something for so long before it becomes “old news” and what saddens me even more is that what’s going on in Haiti isn’t old news to them.

Pras Michel, former member of the Fugees, works as Mickey’s right hand man in his political takeover of the country. With one mission and one mission only the rag tag group of 2 change the perspective of what musicians can really do, and try to build up their home.

I’d say that the documentary itself wasn’t as compelling as I’d hoped. But it was resourceful and was the type of film that would inspire you to change your community or change even someone’s life. Mickey’s place as a musician gave him an advantage. As the citizens lost hope in rebuilding their country they continually needed reassurance and that’s where he came in and showed them through promises he knew he could keep and spoke to them through a language the whole world shares, music. The film was hard hitting. Most films try to portray very powerful messages, but they continue to focus on very mainstream issues. This retraced my memory back to a time where I was young but still very aware of my surroundings and seeing all of the chaos on the news really cemented itself. To change someone’s life, people say it takes a certain type of person. But in this film it just shows how all you need is love. Love for your country and the love coming from other people supporting.   Changing the world could be a domino effect no matter how many dots are on your piece. A one dot dominio comes in handy when you only have nine and you really need ten.

Awards and Festivals

2015 SLAMDANCE – Jury Award, Best Documentary

2015 SLAMDANCE – Audience Award, Best Documentary Feature

HOTDOCS – Official Selection, Outspoken.Outstanding

2015 ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL – Official Selection

DOCUMENTARY EDGE FESTIVAL – Official Selection

2015 NASHVILLE FILM FESTIVAL – Official Selection

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Official Selection