Heading South (film)
Encyclopedia
Heading South is a 2005 French
drama film by director Laurent Cantet
and based on three short stories by Dany Laferrière
, it depicts the experiences of three middle-aged white
women in the late 1970s, traveling to Haiti
for the purposes of sexual tourism with young men. Their adventures (as seen in their eyes) are juxtaposed to class issues and the deteriorating political climate of Haiti at the time. The women demonstrate different attitudes to the complex situation.
at Wellesley College in Boston
, Brenda, a stay-at-home wife from Savannah, Georgia
; and Sue, a factory worker from Québec, Canada, feel lonely and ignored by middle-aged men back at home. They travel to Haiti
to enjoy a holiday of sun, surf, and sex with attractive local teenagers to whom they are financially generous.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
drama film by director Laurent Cantet
Laurent Cantet
Laurent Cantet is a French director, born on June 15, 1961 at Melle . His parents were schoolteachers in Ardilleux.On 25 May 2008, he received the Palme d'Or at the Festival de Cannes 2008, for the movie Entre les murs.- As director :...
and based on three short stories by Dany Laferrière
Dany Laferrière
Dany Laferrière is a francophone Haitian and Canadian novelist and journalist.Born in Port-au-Prince, Haïti, and raised in Petit Goâve, Laferrière worked as a journalist in Haïti before moving to Canada in 1976...
, it depicts the experiences of three middle-aged white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
women in the late 1970s, traveling to Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
for the purposes of sexual tourism with young men. Their adventures (as seen in their eyes) are juxtaposed to class issues and the deteriorating political climate of Haiti at the time. The women demonstrate different attitudes to the complex situation.
Plot
Ellen, a professor of French literatureFrench literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
at Wellesley College in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Brenda, a stay-at-home wife from Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
; and Sue, a factory worker from Québec, Canada, feel lonely and ignored by middle-aged men back at home. They travel to Haiti
Haiti
Haiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
to enjoy a holiday of sun, surf, and sex with attractive local teenagers to whom they are financially generous.
Awards
- Nominated, Golden Lion, 2005 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
- Won, Marcello Mastrioanni Award, 2005 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
- Won, CinemAvvenire (Cinema For Peace) Award, 2005 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film FestivalThe Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...