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The Price of Sugar (2007 film)

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The Price of Sugar is a 2007 documentary by Bill Haney about exploitation of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic involved with production of sugar, and the efforts of Spanish priest Father Christopher Hartley to ameliorate their situation. It is narrated by actor Paul Newman. The documentary shows the poor working conditions in the sugar cane plantations, and political control exerted by the Vicini family to stifle efforts to change the situation.

While the documentary highlights the efforts of Father Christopher Hartley to bring medicine, education, and human rights to Haitian workers, it also shows the widespread resentment of his actions held by Dominican people.

Critical reception

The documentary won the audience award at the 2007 South by Southwest Film Festival.

On November 19, 2007, The Price of Sugar was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as one of 15 films on its documentary feature Oscar shortlist.[1]

The documentary did not make the nomination list for the Oscar Documentary Feature category.[2]

Defamation Lawsuit

Subjects of the film, Felipe and Juan Vicini Lluberes, filed a defamation suit on August 31, 2007 against Uncommon Productions and producer Bill Haney, alleging 53 factual inaccuracies.[3] [4] According to an NPR interview conducted after the filing of the lawsuit, "'The misrepresentation are very egregious,' says Read McCaffrey, a partner in the law firm Patton Boggs [representing the Vicinis], 'and as deceptive as I have seen in a very long time.'"[5]

See also

The Sugar Babies

  1. ^ "Shortlist for docu Oscar unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. 2007-11-20. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  2. ^ OSCAR.com - 80th Annual Academy Awards - Nominee List
  3. ^ "Complaint filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachsuetts". Scribd. 2007-08-31. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  4. ^ "Family Accuses 'Sugar' Filmmakers of Defamation". NPR. 2007-10-03. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
  5. ^ "Family Accuses 'Sugar' Filmmakers of Defamation". NPR. 2007-10-03. Retrieved 2009-05-01.
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