The Agronomist

The Agronomist is a 2003 American documentary directed by Jonathan Demme about Jean Dominique. The documentary follows the life of Dominique, who ran Haiti's first independent radio station, Radio Haiti-Inter, during multiple repressive regimes.

For other uses, see agronomist.
The Agronomist
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJonathan Demme
Produced byJonathan Demme
Edwidge Danticat
Bevin McNamara
Peter Saraf
Written byJonathan Demme
StarringJean Dominique
Aboudja
Ronald Reagan
Music byWyclef Jean
CinematographyAboudja
Jonathan Demme
Bevin McNamara
Peter Saraf
Edited byLizzie Gelber
Bevin McNamara
Distributed byTHINKFilm
Release date
  • February 23, 2003 (2003-02-23)
(Miami International Film Festival)
  • April 23, 2004 (2004-04-23)
(US)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish, French, Haitian Creole
Box office$226,189 (US Domestic)

Summary

The titular Agronomist is Jean Leopold Dominique, owner of Radio Haiti-Inter, Haiti's first independent radio station. The documentary consists of historical footage and personal interviews director Jonathan Demme conducted years earlier with Dominique.

The film follows Dominique's career as a broadcaster from the founding of Radio Haiti-Inter in 1960 focusing on injustice and promoting democracy for the masses, resulting in clashes with the ruling regimes and Dominique's eventual assassination. Following his death, his wife and fellow journalist, Michèle Montas, broadcast from the station for another three years. Radio Haiti-Inter ceased operations in 2003.

Reception

The Agronomist was shown on May 3, 2004 at the UN Headquarters in NYC while observing World Press Freedom Day. There were no seats vacant for the showing at noon.[1]

The film received favorable reviews by critics. It received a 96% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes[2] Praise focused on the use of historical footage combined with interviews.

Box office receipts totaled $226,189 in 21 theaters in the U.S.[3]

DVD release

The movie was released on DVD on June 7, 2005 with English and French spoken language tracks, and subtitles in English, Spanish, and French.[4]

See also

References
  1. The Life and Work of Jean Dominique UN Chronicle.
  2. Critic Reviews Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  3. Agronomist Box Office Results Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
  4. DVD Release Date Amazon.com
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