Kreyòl Gade, Kreyòl Konprann: A Multilingual Catalog of Haitian Cinema
Authors: Coogan Meaghan Jeanne , Vargas Zuleta Laura 
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Haitian cinema is a growing industry that has produced several award-winning films in recent years. However, the unavailability of clear and straightforward information limits its exposure to a broader audience. To address this issue, we developed a multilingual Haitian cinema website, "Kreyòl gade, kreyòl konprann" (https://haitianfilmsdataba.wixsite.com/kreyolgade), that offers information about Haitian films to a global audience. Inspired by the proverb "Kreyòl pale, kreyòl konprann," the project reflects the complexity of these words, which on the one hand evoke a sense of linguistic community, and on the other, highlight the language barriers within and against the Haitian community. Thus, the multilingual website offers comprehensive information about Haitian cinema, including a database of films with synopses and relevant details such as the director, language, and where to find it. Additionally, the website features a blog with reviews and interviews as well as a bibliography of sources in different formats and languages, and it invites collaboration through our "Contact Us" page. The website's multilingualism makes it accessible to Kreyòl, French, Spanish, and English speakers. Furthermore, accessibility to those located in the Caribbean was a central concern, and consequently, the website has been designed with minimalist graphics and fonts to better serve areas with lower internet speeds. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive resource for film enthusiasts, academics, and anyone interested in learning about Haitian cinema. By providing a platform for Haitian filmmakers to showcase their work to a global audience, the website plays an essential role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding. Rezime: Endistri sinema ayisyen an ap grandi chak jou. Se yon endistri ki pwodui plizyè fim e ki pran plizyè prim tou. Sepandan, mank enfòmasyon ki klè sou endistri sa a limite ekspozisyon li pou rive jwenn yon odyans ki pi laj. Pou rezoud pwoblèm sa a, nou te devlope yon sitwèb miltileng pou endistri sinema ayisyen an, "Kreyòl gade, kreyòl konprann" (https://haitianfilmsdataba.wixsite.com/kreyolgade), ki ofri anpil enfòmasyon sou fim ayisyen yo pou atire yon odyans mondyal. Pwovèb ayisyen an "Kreyòl pale kreyòl konprann" enspire nou, e donk, pwojè a reflete konpleksite mo sa yo, ki kominike yon sans kominote lengwistik, epi ki souliye baryè lang lan anndan kominote ayisyen an menm, e kont kominite ayisyen an tou. Kidonk, sitwèb la ofri enfòmasyon konplè sou endistri sinema ayisyen an, ki gen ladan lis fim yo, rezime ak detay apwopriye/enpòtan tankou direktè fim yo, diferan lang epi ki kote ou kabap jwenn fim yo. Anplis, sitwèb la genyen yon blòg kote w ap jwenn revi, entèvyou ansanm ak yon bibliyografi ki nan diferan lang ak diferan fòma. Nou envite tout moun pote kolaborasyon yo atravè paj "kontakte nou" a. Sit la miltileng, sa fè li aksesib pou moun ki pale kreyòl ayisyen, franse, panyòl ak angle. Epitou, bay moun ki nan Karayib la aksè a sit sa a se te yon priyorite pou pwojè sa a. Pou rezon sa a, sit la te fèt avèk grafik minimalis ak kodaj ki pa konplike, yon fason pou ede moun k ap viv nan zòn ki gen vitès entènèt ki ba yo monte sou li ak fasilite. An gwo, sit la sèvi tankou yon sous konplè pou moun ki renmen fim, moun ki nan mond akademik la ak nenpòt moun ki enterese aprann sou endistri sinema ayisyen an. Sit la bay yon plafòm pou direktè fim ayisyen yo ekspoze fim yo pou yon odyans mondyal, epi sit la jwe yon wòl esansyèl nan ankouraje echanj ak konpreyansyon kiltirèl.