Directed by Michael Skolnik and Rebecca Chaiklin. Expected Release 2008. If I Was President is a feature documentary that chronicles the incredible journey of Grammy award winning star Wyclef Jean in his campaign to bring peace and humanitarian aid to his war-torn homeland, Haiti. Wyclef’s efforts include the execution of a record-breaking charity concert in Haiti that took place in December 2006. He is also establishing a multi-million dollar foundation to reconstruct Haiti’s most destitute slums. The filmmakers follow Wyclef on this wild path for over two years, creating an intimate portrait of the man, as he evolves from hip-hop superstar into an international advocate for peace.
Since Haiti gained independence in 1804, making it the world’s first black republic, it has gone through more coups, invasions and external interventions than almost any nation on earth. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and environmentally and economically, is on par with the most impoverished regions of sub-Saharan Africa.The current political meltdown in Haiti began in February of 2004, when the U.S. military took President Jean Bertrand Aristide out of the country due to America’s projection of a Civil War. This chain of events sent Haiti once again into a dark period of extreme violence and instability. With an interim government backed by the United States until May 2006, worsening economic conditions and devastating natural disasters, the people of Haiti have begun to lose hope.
In July 2006 Wyclef created his own foundation, Yele Haiti, in order to build an infrastructure autonomous of the government, that would work in conjunction with the United Nations to deliver the aid. “Yele” is the Creole word for “cry” or “shout,” and in this context is synonymous for Haiti’s Cry for liberation from the ills that have plagued it. Wyclef is the first Haitian to become an international icon and proudly declare his heritage to the world. A Haitian Refugee himself, Wyclef came to the United States when he was just ten years old. He named his musical group the Fugees, in recognition of his people’s struggle to obtain a better life. Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Wyclef was always treated the worst in school, not only because he was an immigrant, but because he was a refugee. He always made a personal vow to himself, that if he ever became famous; he would put Haiti on the map. Many young Haitians confess that they grew up trying to hide their heritage, until Wyclef Jean came along.
Today everywhere Wyclef goes you can always find the red, white and blue colors of the Haitian flag somewhere in the crowd.In Haiti, Wyclef is a beloved, national hero, who transcends every economic and political barrier, placing him in the unique position of being able to bring together the current groups at war. When Wyclef visits his homeland, thousands of people flood into the streets for a chance to see, touch and experience a bit of his magic, creating scenes that evoke memories of Muhammad Ali in Zaire. Kids and elders alike break into spontaneous chants, declaring their love for the man who has brought hope to a country in complete despair.The film If I Was President follows Wyclef through every stage of his mission. We travel blindfolded into a paramilitary safe house to meet with outlawed general of the former army. We venture into some of the most infamously violent neighborhoods in the world¸ Cite Soleil and Bel Air, where Wyclef meets with gang leaders. We chronicle the behind the scenes in private meetings with the Prime Minister, the U.N. envoy to Haiti, and the U.S. Ambassador to Haiti.
We follow Wyclef on his reunion European tour with the Fugees and we chronicle Wyclef’s personal journey, in the United States and in Haiti, as he learns more about his country and the problems that plague it. If I Was President is the remarkable story of how far one man will go to save his country.