The 4th Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF) opened on Thursday in Haiti´s capital Port au Prince. This year´s DRGFF included Port au Prince as one of its venues in an attempt to highlight Haiti’s plight following last January’s earthquake and now the cholera outbreak which has many people in the region nervous and, in Haiti, some are becoming angry and frightened. Nevertheless, said Jimmy Jean-Louis, Haitian-born, actor currently of “Heroes” fame, “a lot of people came to the Festival inauguration despite the situation there.”

“Haitians are always looking for a way to live their dream, to be excited about something and I think the arts and specifically films can provide that and give them a bit of joy while they’re going through their struggle,” said Jimmy Jean-Louis in an interview.

Also, a perspective of Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck’s films is being featured at this year’s DR Global Film Festival. Peck’s films being shown this week include “The Man by the Shore,” “Lumumba,” “Sometimes in April,” and “Moloch Tropical.”

Accompanying Jean-Louis to Haiti included Spanish actress Victoria Abril who said she was not the least bit deterred by the cholera outbreak. “Indeed, this is even more of a reason to go to Haiti now and show them support,” said Abril as she boarded the van en route to the airport for the one-day trip to Port au Prince.

US actress, Eileen Ryan who was featured in Santo Domingo’s opening night film, “Mother and Child,” had her bags packed for a longer stay in Haiti. “I’m going to see my son, Sean Penn.” Penn has been in Haiti since the earthquake, doing tireless work with his NGO, the Jenkins-Penn Haiti Relief Organization.

DRGFF Director Omar de la Cruz led the delegation to Haiti. “The Haitians really need a breather and we hope the Festival will provide some of that relief.”

Jean-Louis praised Dominican President Leonel Fernandez, Honorary President of the DRGFF, not just for the outpouring of support following the earthquake but also for extending the reach of the DR Global Film Festival to Haiti. The DRGFF shares the same mission as the Fundacion Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE).

“It’s great to be here for FUNGLODE and with President Fernandez who is backing up the Festival. Whenever a president is supporting any art event it means a lot because usually art is low on a president’s list of priorities,” said Jean-Louis in an interview on the opening night of the Festival in Santo Domingo several days ago.

“I am dreaming for the day when we can hold such an event in Haiti.”

See more photos on Panels section, Nov. 18>