Diapositives (2023)
In her film Diapositives, the artist and filmmaker Madafi Pierre portrays five people of Haitian origin living in Switzerland. Pierre takes a global look at Haiti and Switzerland, asks what the connections between these two countries are, including what life in Switzerland is like from a Haitian perspective. Diapositives addresses questions of planned and unplanned mobility, migration, as well as of belonging and feelings of home, which cannot (necessarily) be tied to territories.
With KRIK KRAK, Pierre uses a mode of storytelling in the form of call-and-response, which is rooted in Haitian culture. Since Haiti is the country of the first Black revolution, starting in 1791, the film simultaneously involves a broader conversation about the way we think about historiography and European colonization. We also engage with the question of how to decolonize knowledge production.
LoCo’s Lullaby (2014)
In 2014, LoCo’s Lullaby, a heartwarming children’s book by educator Madafi Pierre, quickly found its way into homes and school libraries. This charming story follows LoCo, a clever little bird with a big heart, who befriends a curious, spirited girl named Kayla. Through their friendship, LoCo – which stands for Love and Courage – teaches Kayla the incredible power of kindness, bravery and love. He shows her that with these qualities, anything is possible, from chasing your dreams to overcoming tough times. LoCo’s Lullaby is a beautiful reminder for children of all ages that if you believe in yourself and try your best, there are no limits to what you can achieve. In 2026, LoCo’s Lullaby will be reimagined with an exciting new book release and an animated version.
Credits
Story by Madafi Pierre
Illustrations by M. Lael
Animation by Salomon Perez