Part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s mission is to foster greater understanding through world cinema. This year 72 Foreign Language films were submitted for Golden Globes consideration. Here is an overview of one of them.

Whether it’s on the soccer field or in a back alley in modern-day Haiti, the strong survive, but the smart thrive. Belensky Petion is a man who happens to be a heavy gambler, an upcoming soccer star and womanizer. He is also heavily in debt to local loan shark Louidor. The potential soccer star and his American cousin are kidnapped and held for ransom. When their relatives are slow to pay, they have to use their wits and courage to stay alive. As his plight grows worse by the day, Belensky is about to learn how small Haiti can really be for him in his situation.

Shot in different locations throughout the island, Rasin Mwen vividly tells a fictional story in a way that also serves as an introduction multiple to life on the island of Haiti for its inhabitants.

The film, starring David Charlier and directed by Robinson Vil, has gotten critical acclaim and was a huge success in Haiti, partly because of the insight it lends into the country’s youth culture. For Charlier his first role has proved to be a gratifying experience, as the wit and energy he displayed earned him the award for best actor at Boston’s MPAH.

Mario Amaya