SUGAR CANE ALLEY

Martinique, France | 1983 | DCP | 103 min. | French with English subtitles
Director: Euzhan Palcy
Cast: Darling Legitimus, Garry Cadenat, Routa Seck
In 1931 French-colonized Martinique, eleven-year-old José is lovingly raised by a grandmother who is determined to secure a better life for the boy beyond the brutal confines of the sugar plantation. As José confronts poverty, racism, and the lingering wounds of slavery, he discovers education as a path to freedom. This landmark release from the Caribbean blends historical truth, humor, and emotional intimacy to portray both the island’s beauty and the resilience of its people. A new 4K restoration will be screened. “A smart, sometimes hard-edged story that earns its moments of sentiment” (Roger Ebert).