St. Thomas University Draws Crowds and Future Volunteers at Red Carpet Premiere of Haiti Documentary

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Apr 28, 2010, 05:53 ET

MIAMI, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- St. Thomas University, in collaboration with Eagle Social Media Productions, brought together a multicultural, academic, private sector and philanthropic community April 24 with its Red Carpet Grand Premiere of the documentary film Blooming Hope: Harvesting Smiles in Port-de-Paix, shown at Miami's Little Haiti Cultural Center. Over 400 people witnessed an unforgettable evening where the love for Haiti was expressed through a musical performance and film, showing the harsh reality and hope faced by the people of Port-de-Paix, Haiti.

University President Monsignor Franklyn M. Casale opened the evening with a special prayer for the people of Haiti and the many victims left behind. Prior to program commencement, the General Consul of Haiti in Miami, Ralph Latortue, expressed his gratitude to St. Thomas University for its ongoing work in Haiti and urged the audience to engage in long term sustainable projects that bring significant change to the country.

The South Florida Youth Symphony performed the musical score of the documentary conducted by the Colombian composer, Maestro Raul Rosero Polo. Aura Rosero and Evelyne Baille interpreted the Spanish and English version of the composition "Haiti," exclusively produced for the film. Dr. Fresnel Larosiliere interpreted his song "To Haiti you Should Go;" Juan Rosero-Marta interpreted an acoustic version of his song "Time to Change;" and the Haitian musical group Kazak International interpreted the song "Jacmel."

The 40-minute documentary followed the musical performance. Film's producers and directors, Marcela Moyano-Rosero and Fernando J. Rosero, portrayed the reality of the lives of the coffee farmers, the artisan women and the schoolchildren from the Northwest department of Haiti and their remarkable sense of hope, which caused tears in many watching the film. Father Reginald Jean-Marie, Director of Miami's Notre-Dame D'Haiti Catholic Parish, addressed the audience, deeply touched by the story of the artisan women from his hometown.

"It is a relief to see how the same medium, which portrays what many think is the real Haiti, a country filled with poverty and sadness, is now used to bring light to the truly real Haiti, the Haiti filled with hope and smiles," said Mary Rojas, the president of St. Thomas University's Kreyol Nation student organization.

Attendees were inspired to take immediate action to support the three long-term sustainable projects led by St. Thomas University. COCANO coffee sold over $900.00 of coffee tins and the Atelier Thevenet sold $350 worth of art.

SOURCE St. Thomas University