Elena
Synopsis
In 1937, tens of thousands of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent were exterminated by the Dominican army, on the basis of anti-black racism. Fast-forward to 2013, the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court stripped the citizenship of anyone with Haitian parents, retroactive to 1929, rendering more than 200,000 people stateless. Elena, the young protagonist of the film, and her family stand to lose their legal residency in the Dominican Republic if they don't manage to get their documents in time. Negotiating a mountain of opaque bureaucratic processes and a racist, hostile society around, Elena becomes the face of the struggle to remain in a country built on the labor of her father and forefathers.
Release History & Theatrical Window
Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (online)
Festival / Special Debut
August 7, 2021
VOD & Digital Platforms
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Michèle Stephenson
- Screenplay & Story
- Michèle Stephenson
- Original Title
- Elena
- Country of Origin
- Dominican Republic, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- Haitian; Haitian Creole, Spanish
- Runtime
- 32m
- Production Studios
- In The Cut Films, Hispaniola Productions, Rada Studio
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Michèle Stephenson
Michèle Stephenson
Joe Brewster
Department Leadership Roster
Michèle Stephenson
Director
Joe Brewster
Producer
Michèle Stephenson
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Elena.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elena
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Elena about?
In 1937, tens of thousands of Haitians and Dominicans of Haitian descent were exterminated by the Dominican army, on the basis of anti-black racism. Fast-forward to 2013, the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court stripped the citizenship of anyone with Haitian parents, retroactive to 1929, rendering more than 200,000 people stateless. Elena, the young protagonist of the film, and her family stand to lose their legal residency in the Dominican Republic if they don't manage to get their documents in time. Negotiating a mountain of opaque bureaucratic processes and a racist, hostile society around, Elena becomes the face of the struggle to remain in a country built on the labor of her father and forefathers.
Who directed Elena?
Elena was directed by Michèle Stephenson.
Who stars in Elena?
The principal cast of Elena includes Not specified.
When was Elena released and how long is it?
Elena was released in 2021 with a total runtime of 32m.