Toussaint Louverture, Haïti et la France

On April 7, 1803, the one who called himself the first of the Blacks died in a dungeon in France. Less than a year later, Haiti proclaimed its independence. A former black slave, Toussaint Louverture lived an exceptional life. He participated and organized the revolt of slaves against the colonists and rallied the French government which had just abolished slavery (1794). He was made General of the French army. In the name of revolutionary ideals, he proclaims his intention to establish a black republic. But Bonaparte reintroduced slavery against his own people, the former slaves who had become French citizens, and had Toussaint Louverture imprisoned. This film retraces the journey of this exceptional man who was at the origin of the first declaration of independence of a colony. Behind this legendary figure, the exemplary and tragic history of Haiti is presented to us here. It is also the story of slavery in France, a considerable and yet little-known phenomenon.