Writer, Producer, Composer | 2014
Papa Machete is a glimpse into the life of Alfred Avril, an aging subsistence farmer who lives in the hills of Jacmel, Haiti. He also happens to be a master of the mysterious martial art of Haitian machete fencing, also known as Tire Machèt. Teaching about the practical and spiritual value of the machete—which is both a weapon and a farmer’s key to survival—Avril provides a bridge between his country’s traditional past and its troubled present. The film documents his proud devotion to his heritage and his struggle to keep it alive in the face of contemporary globalization.
Directed by Jonathan David Kane, Papa Machete world premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2013 and later had its US premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2014. It was a Vimeo Staff Pick and can also be seen on National Geographic and The Atlantic.