Filmmaker Elisee Junior St. Preux has officially announced that his debut feature film, The Tropic Sun and His Eyes, will hold its World Premiere at the 25th Tribeca Festival, competing in the prestigious International Narrative Competition.
Filmed entirely in Haiti, the movie dives deep into complex themes of fatherhood, connection, and mental health. According to the official festival synopsis, the grounded narrative follows a young man named Ruben who is traveling on foot back to Haiti to reconnect with his estranged father.
His personal journey is interrupted when a persistent street kid begins following him and simply won’t let up. Exhausted but pragmatic, Ruben eventually strikes a deal with the boy: if the kid can help him find a shortcut and keep a little bit of distance, he is allowed to stay.
Getting an independent feature film fully realized and across the finish line is a massive accomplishment, and St. Preux took a moment to reflect on the long road to Tribeca. Taking to Instagram, the director shared his excitement and gratitude for this major career milestone.
“A dream. From Haiti to @tribeca, my debut feature THE TROPIC SUN AND HIS EYES, will World Premiere at the 25th Tribeca Festival in the International Narrative Competition!” St. Preux wrote.
He went on to credit “resilience, patience, and a whole lot of tenacity” for getting the film to the big screen, leaving his followers with an inspiring piece of advice. “Anything you want in life and I mean anything, get it by any means necessary. God will be there every step of the way. What a full circle moment this is. I hope y’all ready for this celebration. New York, what’s good! 🇭🇹”
With its rich, on-location cinematography and a narrative rooted in the complexities of family and mental health, The Tropic Sun and His Eyes is certainly shaping up to be a standout premiere at this year’s festival.
