The Agronomist (2002)

94% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(1,049 ratings)

The fifth in a series of documentaries revolving around Haiti's struggle for democracy, this piece from director Jonathan Demme revolves around the life of Jean Dominique, a Haitian radio personality who spent his life campaigning for reform within the notoriously oppressed nation. The Agronomist… More The fifth in a series of documentaries revolving around Haiti's struggle for democracy, this piece from director Jonathan Demme revolves around the life of Jean Dominique, a Haitian radio personality who spent his life campaigning for reform within the notoriously oppressed nation. The Agronomist begins just after the 1991 overthrow of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, when Dominique and his wife, while at the radio station, came under fire from rebels involved with the coup. Referred to as an agronomist due to his background in agriculture -- which, consequently, brought him into contact with the feudalistic nature of Haiti's farming system -- Dominique's passion for reform landed him in exile. Rather than give up after his release, Dominique initiated a career as a radio communicator, and he allowed Demme access to the station and his personal life during key periods of unrest and political fluctuation. Sadly, the documentary ends with an account of Dominique's assassination in April of 2000. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Jonathan Demme
Genres: Documentary, Special Interest

In Theaters: Apr 23, 2004 Limited
On DVD: Jun 7, 2005
Studio: ThinkFilm Inc

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Free speech isn't merely a shibboleth in The Agronomist. As embodied by Dominique, it's a fire-breathing force.
Jane Sumner, Dallas Morning News
A lively, illuminating homage to an extraordinary man of courage, whose cry for his beloved country got him killed.
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Demme's emotionally engaging salute to his fallen friend is a personal labor of love with relevance for anyone concerned with the history of our hemisphere. Or its future.
Tom Long, Detroit News
It tells instead of shows for the most part, and the telling isn't as effective as it should be.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
A portrait of an optimist in a time of despair.
Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
A thoroughly fascinating look at a man with a mind that is subtle, sensitive and alert to life's nuances.
Brent Simon, Now Playing Magazine
Perhaps the sort of movie that most belongs in a classroom rather than a cineplex, but is that really such a bad thing?
Keith Uhlich, Slant Magazine
A heartfelt human testament from one of our greatest directors.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
... best read as a eulogy for a genuine hero, a natty, erudite little guy with a funny accent and a perceptible joy of life.
Duane Dudek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A compassionate and powerful tribute to a crusader doing battle with 'no weapon other than his microphone and a thirst for truth.'
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
His story makes us feel for the Haitian people and appreciate the glorious right of a free press.
Matt Kelemen, Las Vegas CityLife
Demme does not seek justice. He has done something greater in making Dominique immortal.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
The mark of an effective documentary feature is its ability to work on more than one level. And by those standards at least, The Agronomist is very effective.
Sean Means, Salt Lake Tribune
Demme... captures Dominique's energy and hunger for human rights, sometimes by doing nothing more than locking down the camera and letting the guy talk.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Once again, Hollywood's big-budget blockbusters are overshadowed by a small but infinitely more moving piece of expert non-fiction filmmaking.

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MJS M

A fascinating documentary about Jean Leopold Dominique, a radio personality who gave a voice to the people of Haiti during the reign of the Duvalier regimes. The film tells Dominique?s story in his own words through interview footage taken over the course of decades. A great… More
A fascinating documentary about Jean Leopold Dominique, a radio personality who gave a voice to the people of Haiti during the reign of the Duvalier regimes. The film tells Dominique?s story in his own words through interview footage taken over the course of decades. A great character study and a great history lesson. Unfortunately the project occasionally looks a bit cheap, seemingly minor aspect like the font used look a little bit unprofessional, which is surprising when one considers that this was made by the Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme. Still, this is a great story that should be seen by many.

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The Agronomist (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

MJS M

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