Bound by Haiti is the story of Aaron Jackson and John Dieubon - two young international activists forced to deal with the tragedy of the Haiti earthquake first-hand. Raised on a wealthy resort, Aaron has dedicated his life to eradicating intestinal parasites in Haiti; born and orphaned in Port-au-Prince, John's mission is to inspire a new generation of Haitian children.
Born into completely different worlds, these two men joined together to transform the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. From Hollywood fundraisers to the most desperate Haitian villages, they hope to build change from the ground-up. As Aaron tries to adjust his personality to the high-stakes world of fundraising, John works on the ground with villagers to change a country's mentality.
When the earthquake of January 12, 2010 strikes, they must confront the biggest challenge of their lives. Driving into the streets of Port-au-Prince, John is forced to haul the dead bodies of his friends and countrymen. Later, he is left to pick up the pieces of a broken country. Armed with his digital camera, he took pictures across the city before the arrival of any news agency. In the United States, Aaron is forced to deal with the organizational chaos. Frantically trying to call John, he searched in vain to find a way to travel to Haiti. Eventually finding his way, he returned to find the collapsed buildings and millions of homeless in the streets. And he returned to find John - his optimistic vision challenged, his psyche damaged.
Featuring rare footage from immediately following the earthquake, Bound by Haiti follows these unlikely friends on a journey for change before and after one of the most devastating international events of our time. In the end, the film is not the story of poverty, but of possibility.
Festival Highlights
National Black Theatre Festival, 2011
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, 2011
Special screening sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Washington, DC, 2011
Astoria/LIC International Film Festival, 2011
Tulsa International Film Festival, 2011
DocUtah, 2011
Central Florida Film Festival, 2011
Boston International Film Festival, 2011
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, 2010
Best Documentary Nominee, New Hampshire Film Festival, 2010