Full Duck Productions

Jocelyn Valverde

This French Caribbean poet, whose parents are from Guadeloupe, gave this interview where he focuses on the history of slavery in the French colonies, cultural alienation, French Caribbean culture, poetic sensitivity, the creative process and the importance of nature and spirituality.

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French w/English VO

VHS/NTSC VHS/PAL VHS/SECAM

Pricing NTSC $50 PAL/SECAM $60

Jocelyn Valverde Sample Clip (3.2 MB Quicktime format)

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Challenge: Videotape an impromptu interview of a visiting poet and an art show of paintings based on his poetry.

Solution: Arrange quiet locations with appropriate light for the interview. Use a combination of two-shots including the interviewer and closeups of Valverde. Obtain a variety of shots of each art work in the art show and serveral shots of the poet at the setting of the art show. Edit using the art work extensively to illustrate his ideas as he discusses his poetry and performs a reading.

This video was directed by Full Duck Productions and produced by Mosaic Media. The video profiles Jocelyn Valverde, who has roots in both France and Guadeloupe, French West Indies, and whose poetry grapples with such themes as the power of history, the savagery of racism, the value of ethnic heritage, the discovery of a personal voice, the process of writing, and the importance of spirituality. Interviews with the poet are blended with readings of some of his key works. Includes 150 cutaways of Caribbean background and art illustrating his poetry and statements. The video is in French with English voiceover only. 24 minutes. Fifteen-page teacher's guide available.

What the Critics Say

... This video offers an excellent introduction for students to the transracial, cross-cultural themes of today's French Caribbean writers. What is the Caribbean writer's relationship to Europe? to Africa? to the Americas? The video invites us to explore these topics through an intimate portrait of French-Guadeloupean poet, Jocelyn Valverde. Though not well-known, Valverde's poetry is compellingly direct, passionate, and spiritual. Enriched with illustrations from historical documents, photographs, and--most delightfully--by colorful paintings by contemporary artists, the vidceo gives immediate access to the fascinating challenges of Afro-Caribbean identity in the world today. Dr. Janice Morgan, Professor of French, Murray State University

Teacher's guide available.
24 minutes.
Available in French with English voiceover only.
Available in VHS tape media in NTSC (standard US), SECAM or PAL formats.