The scene above, wherein an old sugar cane worker tells José, the main character, stories of Africa, is a pivotal one; José will later submit those stories in the form of an essay to a costly private school, only to be accused of plagiarism because of the essay's eloquence. And in 1930s Martinique, where the only work is in sugar cane -- an industry that basically amounts to slave labor -- and a hard-to-get education is the only way to get ahead, it's an accusation that could cost him everything.
The film screens tonight at 6 p.m. at the Blair-Caldwell African-American Research Library as part of its "Seldom Screened: Black Directors" series. Admission is free, and popcorn and drinks are included.