Sweet Micky For President

The 32nd Edition of the Miami International Film Festival presented by Miami Dade College was held on March 6-15, 2015. This year's edition boasted over 100 films from more than 40 countries. Now it was  impossible for me to see them all but I definitely watched some of the films that caught my attention. Being Haitian-American, one in particular stood out to me. The documentary was entitled, Sweet Micky for President. It was the behind the scenes look at how the President of Haiti, Michel "Sweet Micky" Martelly went from being the self proclaimed President of Kompas to the President of Haiti.The film was directed by Ben Patterson and produced, to my surprise, by Pras Michel of the Fugees.


It turns out that Pras was the mastermind behind the whole thing. He convinced Sweet Micky that he was the new leader the people wanted and needed. He believed Michel was young, charismatic and could lead the country passed the devastation of the 2010 earthquake and into a future of prosperity. Fast-forward to the present and critiques may agree or disagree, but at the time Pras and Michel banded together to begin a historic and very eventful campaign. The film explores aspects of betrayal, political corruption, the devastation caused by the earthquake and the strength of a people abused but not broken.

The Morning Drive Crew with Pras Michel

Before the premiere of the film on March 13, myself and the rest of the The Morning Drive crew had the opportunity to interview both Ben Patterson and Pras Michel live on the air. We were able to get some insight from the director's point of view and of course the vision that Pras had. The major details were saved for the film and they were well worth the wait.

Click the following links for the interviews with Pras Michel and Ben Patterson.

On Friday night, the audience was able to witness the diaper wearing, womanizing, vulgar artist known as Sweet Micky transform into Michel Martelly, a Presidential candidate truly concerned for the future and well being of his country and countrymen. Along the way to the Presidential Palace, Martelly had to overcome many obstacles. The most noted in Wyclef Jean, Pras' band-mate and Martelly's political opposition.

You may know how the story ends but as they say, "the devil is in the details". The film is a must see not only for Haitians and Haitian-Americans but for everyone. For more information on other screenings for the film visit the website, http://www.sweetmickyforpresident.com. The film may make its way back to Miami, specifically Little Haiti for those who missed it.


Until then...



Na we pita/A plus tard

Pras Michel of the Fugees

Ben Patterson, Filmmaker/Director