Mountains

Haitian-American filmmaker Monica Sorelle’s debut feature, Mountains, is set to screen at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Film 2024 following a celebrated run on the festival circuit. The film, which premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, has earned widespread acclaim for its poignant exploration of family, identity, and gentrification in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.

A Story of Displacement and Resilience

Mountains follows a Haitian family—led by a stoic father (played by Atibon Nazaire) who works as a demolition worker—as they grapple with the rapid changes in their community. As luxury developments encroach on their historically Haitian enclave, the family faces the emotional and economic toll of displacement. Sorelle, herself of Haitian descent, crafts an intimate, visually striking narrative that balances personal struggle with broader social commentary.

Critical Acclaim & Festival Honors

Since its Tribeca premiere, Mountains has garnered awards and praise at multiple festivals, including:

• Best Cinematography at Tribeca (for cinematographer Pablo Berrón)

• Recognition for its authentic performances and lyrical storytelling

• Praise for its Haitian Kreyòl dialogue, which adds layers of cultural specificity

The film’s selection for BAM Film 2024 cements its status as one of the most compelling indie debuts of the year, further amplifying Sorelle’s voice as a rising talent in cinema.

Why Mountains Matters

In an era of increasing urban transformation, Mountains offers a deeply human perspective on gentrification, focusing not just on physical spaces but on the emotional landscapes of those uprooted. Sorelle’s film is both a love letter to Miami’s Haitian community and a universal story about belonging, making it a must-watch at BAM and beyond.

Stay tuned for screening details as Mountains continues its journey, bringing Haitian stories to the forefront of contemporary cinema.

Expanding on Mountains: Screening Details, Director’s Vision & Haitian Cinema Context

BAM Film 2024 Screening Info

While official dates for Mountains at BAM Film 2024 haven’t been announced yet (the full lineup typically drops closer to the fall), you can stay updated via:

• BAM’s website (www.bam.org)

• Film’s Instagram (@mountainsfilm)

• Haitian film collectives like Ayisyen Arts Network or Haiti Cultural Exchange, which may host related panels.

The film is expected to screen in BAM’s New Voices in Cinema or Urban Reflections sections, given its themes. Past BAM festivals have included Q&As with directors, so Sorelle might attend.

Monica Sorelle’s Creative Influences

Sorelle, a Miami-raised filmmaker of Haitian descent, has cited:

• Haitian oral storytelling traditions (like timtim folktales) as inspiration for the film’s rhythm.

• Filmmakers: Claire Denis (35 Shots of Rum), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight), and Chantal Akerman for their poetic realism.

• Miami’s Little Haiti itself—the film’s crew included Haitian locals, and Sorelle shot in actual homes slated for demolition.

In interviews, she’s emphasized wanting to “show Haitian joy amid struggle”, avoiding trauma-centric narratives.

The Film’s Place in Haitian Cinema

Mountains joins a wave of Haitian-diaspora films challenging stereotypes:

• Recent Titles: Freda (2021, dir. Gessica Généus), Kafou (2017, dir. Bruno Mourral).

• Themes: Gentrification (Mountains), migration (Simbi Anwaka, 2023), and cultural memory (Ayiti Mon Amour, 2016).

• Language: Like Freda, Mountains uses Kreyòl as primary dialogue, a political choice against erasure.

Sorelle’s work aligns with Miami’s Haitian Arts Movement, alongside artists like Asser Saint-Val (visual art) and Jan Mapou (literature).

Gentrification in Little Haiti: The Real Story

The film’s backdrop mirrors reality:

• “Magic City” Development: A $1 billion luxury complex in Little Haiti sparked protests (2018–present).

• Displacement: Over 30,000 Haitians have left the area since 2000 (UMiami studies show).

• Activism: Groups like Little Haiti Anti-Displacement Coalition appear in the film’s protest scenes.

Sorelle filmed in actual construction sites, with debris as metaphor—watch for shots where demolition dust coats family photos.

Where to Watch Post-BAM

If you miss BAM:

• Theatrical Run: Expected late 2024 via Array Releasing (Ava DuVernay’s indie distributor).

• Streaming: Likely Netflix or Criterion Channel, given Tribeca films’ trends.

For deeper dives:

• Read Sorelle’s Tribeca interview here.

• Explore Haitian film history via Third Horizon Cinema.