Pierre Desir (filmmaker)

Pierre Desir
Born August 22
Residence
  • Westerlo, New York, United States
  • San Diego, California, US
Alma mater
  • Queens University
  • University of California: Los Angeles
Occupation
  • Filmmaker
  • Professor
  • Artist

Pierre Hermann L. Desir Jr. is an American filmmaker, artist, and retired professor. After he attended Davies College in London and traveled through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, Desir realized his passion for art and teaching. In art, he started with painting, moved to sculpting, and after a brief period of dabbling in journalism, he transitioned into film, receiving his MFA in Motion Picture Production at University of California, Los Angeles. He then moved back to sculpting while filming his process. In teaching, he started with teaching arts and crafts as well as sculpture to "emotionally disturbed" children at the Martin de Porres School in Astoria, Queens, New York. He then moved into higher education after attending Queens College, CUNY and then to graduate work at UCLA. One of his biggest challenges as a Haitian American filmmaker is the reception of his work due to the fact that it is highly experimental.

Early life

Pierre Desir’s parents were married in the 1940s. Desir was born to Pierre Hermann Desir Sr. who is Haitian and Nicolina Melchionna, who is Italian. Desir was born in Jersey City hospital where his mother worked, though his family was living in Harlem at the time. Very soon after his family moved to Parkway Village in Jamaica, Queens, Long Island where Pierre spent his childhood. This was a development begun by the United Nations to house the diverse population that worked there. Due to his mixed race heritage he was considered illegal in some states in the Union. His father, worked at the Haitian Delegation of the UN. It was because he lived there that he was able to make friends from all over the world, which was very different than the rest of the country, which was segregated. When he was 10 years old, his parents wanted to move to the country, so they bought a farm in the town of Westerlo, in upstate NY. However, after receiving a very cold reception from their neighbors and the school district, and Nicolina, a medical doctor, being unable to secure a position in the Albany area, the family continued living in Jamaica, Queens and only visited the farm on weekends and over summer vacation.

Education

Desir first attended the United Nations International School. After his father lost his position following the election of Francois Duvalier in Haiti, the family could no longer afford the tuition and the children began attending New York City Public Schools: PS117, PS217 and Jamaica High School in Jamaica, NY.[1] When 18, he left the US and went to England where he attended Davies College in London, receiving a C.Ed. European Literature and History, in 1967.. After this he began vagabonding through Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, he came back to the US, and worked various entry level positions and taught arts & crafts as well as ceramics to the emotionally disturbed in Astoria, Queens, and taking classes in painting, ceramics, and sculpting at the School of Visual Arts, New York. He then went to Queens College, where he received a BA in African Studies in 1979. He then received his Masters in African History at UCLA. Instead of studying for a PhD he switched over to the MFA program and received his MFA in Film at UCLA in 1992.

Artistic career

Desir always has been artistic, and his mom and sister have always been supportive of him. His brother is supportive but honestly critical, and his dad was disappointed in his choice to pursue art instead of Journalism, and never really forgave him. In art, he started in painting, moved to sculpting, realized that he wanted his sculptures to move, moved onto film, and now he works mostly filming his process of making sculptures. Desir has struggled as a filmmaker financially, His film work is very experimental, even more so in his later work. Because of the strong experimental aspect his work is not well received, and it is often very hard for him to get it into festivals. It usually takes him years to complete his works.

Influences

He is a very pedantic person, but tries not to make his work pedantic. When he tried putting a political message into his work, he didn’t enjoy his work. He is inspired by Thelonious Monk, who had a hard time being accepted as a jazz musician. He resents that as an African American, society expects him to deal with struggle in his work and it is liberating to him to refrain from engaging in the debate. He would like the public to appreciate his work, but it is not his goal to please the public. He was raised Catholic, but now he most closely relates to Buddhism, and closely puts weight in the idea of reincarnation. He also connects strongly with Vudun the West African origin of Voodoo and Native American mythology and tradition. His biggest influences in his work, in terms of style are Thelonious Monk, Akira Kurosawa, Orson Welles, Pablo Picasso, and Vincent van Gogh, African, Oceanic, Native-American and pre-historic art. He also appreciates music of Keith Jarrett.

L.A. Rebellion

He was on the outskirts of the L.A. Rebellion, with most of the big players having left before he got to UCLA.[2] The LA Rebellion emerged at the time of a political awakening, when African Americans, Latinos, and others realized that the American Dream was not true.[3] There were exaggerated demands on the system, and the system pushing back. He was drawn into the movement during his time at UCLA because of his interest in film. He helped many others with their work too, helping shoot and work on their films. He served as cinematographer on various films including those of Zeinabu Irene Davis and Billy Woodberry. In that way he was one of the unsung heroes of the rebellion, with his own work challenging to digest, he has been able to gain some recognition through the work of his colleagues.

Current life

He splits his time between California and his family farm in New York that he inherited. It is on that farm that he does most of his work and where he has his workshop.

Education career

He was inspired to become a professor by teaching mentally disturbed individuals in Astoria, Queens. In 2008, he and another black professor were denied tenure at Emerson College while all of the white candidates were granted tenure, this sparked an investigation by the NAACP because they believed that the denial was a product of racial discrimination.[4][5]

  • Visiting Lecturer. Department of Communication, University of California, San Diego. 2012 to 2015.[6]
  • Visiting Artist & Lecturer. Department of Communications, Dillard University. 2010.
  • Assistant Professor. Department of Visual and Media Arts, Emerson College. 2002-09.[7]
  • Assistant Professor. Department of Cinema and Photography, Park School of Communications, Ithaca College. 1992-2002.[8]
  • Teaching Assistant. Department of Theater, Film and Television, UCLA. 1984-87.
  • Teacher. Los Angeles County Juvenile Courts. 1989-90.
  • Lecturer. City University, Queens College. 1981.
  • Teaching Assistant. Martin de Porres School. 1971-76.

Filmography

YearFilm TitleRoleNotes
In ProgressThelonious: Unknown Experiments in Flight Part 2DirectorPoetry in Motion, on 16mm film.
In ProgressErzulie's GiftDirectorExperimental Film. Poetry in Motion, on 16mm film.
2007Thelonious: Unknown Experiments in Flight Part 1DirectorPoetry in Motion, on 16mm film.[9]
2006Satchmo : The Arrival of Gabriel on a Wing and a Half-NoteDirector, co-writer, actor, co-producerPoetry in Motion, on 16mm film. 20Mins.[10][11]
2000ZoNADirector, co-writer, actor, co-producer, Editor, Sound design.Narrative Feature, on 16mm film.[12]
1992The Gods & The ThiefWriter, director, editor, cinematographerExperimental/ Narrative, on 16mm film.[13]
1990WorkWriter, director, cinematographer, editor.Experimental, on 16mm film.
1988KakilambeDirectorA dance video of the Ballet Koumankale of Los Angeles.
1986-1987Blockade RunnersDirector, camera operator, editor.A documentary about film production in Cuba, including interviews with Cuban film directors. Taped at the 7th Festival of New Latin American Cinema, Havana, Cuba, December 1985.
1985Just a JobDirector, co-writer, editor.A drama about the assassination of a union official by a "has been" secret agent.
1984EdgeCinematographer, editor.An experimental film exploring the boundaries of light, shadow and film contrast.
1984Impression of CubaDirector, camera editor.A documentary about the 14th Contingent of the Venceremos Brigade in Cuba.
In ProgressDetroit: UnRuined VoicesCinematographer, camera operator, editor.Documentary Video by Kathryne Lindberg and Todd L. Duncan.
In ProgressBob Kaufman: When I Die, I Wont Stay DeadCinematographer, camera operator.Documentary Video by Billy Woodberry
2005The BrotherCinematographer, camera-operator.Narrative Feature, on Digital video by Eva Benedikt (San Antonio International film Festival 2006 (Audience Award, Best Feature); International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg, 2006)
2005TrumpetisticallyCo-cinematographer, camera operator.Documentary, on multiple formats (video, film, DVCam) by Clora Bryant. ( National Black Programming Consortium Project Grant, $60k, November 2002; "Sneak Preview", Prized Pieces Film Festival, 20th Anniversary celebration, National Black Programming Consortium, Schomburg Center, New York; Area Premiere, 13th Annual Pan African Film Festival, Magic Johnson Theaters, Los Angeles)[14]
In ProgressPlanet Without a Visa: the Embattled Life of Leon TrotskyCinematographer, camera operator.Documentary Feature Film by Lindy Laub[15]
1999CompensationCinematographer, camera operator, storyboard artist, script consultant.Narrative Feature by Zeinabu Davis (2002 Paul Robeson Prize, Best Film, Narrative Section; Newark Museum 28th Annual Black Film Festival; Gordon Parks Award, 1999 Independent Feature Market, NYC; “Outstanding Film” - Reel Black Award, Black Film & Video Network, Toronto; Independent Spirit Award Nomination, Best First Feature under $500k, IFP-West; Sundance Channel 2000-2003; BET Stars Network 2000-2003)[13][14]
1988I Look Through a WindowCinematographer, camera operator.Documentary Feature Film by Stephen Edwards.
1988CyclesCinematographer, Camera Operator, Script ConsultantExperimental Drama and Film Short by Zeinabu Davis. Many Awards.[13][14]
1987Sweet Bird of YouthCinematographer, camera operator.Film by Zeinabu Davis.
1986MinstrelsCinematographer, camera operator.Documentary Film by Marie Kellier.
1986Out of ArabieCinematographer, camera operator.Narrative Film Short by Susan Evans.
1985Throwing StrikesCinematographer, camera operator.Narrative Film Short by Dino Castro.
1985Audio VisualCinematographer, camera operator.Narrative Film Short by David Strom.
1992Golden ChickpeasProduction sound recordist.Narrative Feature Film by Nigol Bezjian.
1988No Not OneProduction sound recordist.Narrative Feature Film by George Gary.

Awards and exhibitions

Awards

  • Faculty Development Grant, 2006, Emerson College.
  • Faculty Development Grant, 2002, Emerson College.
  • Rockefeller Fellowship Nominee, 2000
  • Finalist for the American Film Institute Filmmakers Fund, 1995
  • James Pendleton Production Grant, 1997
  • Kodak Product Grant, 1994
  • Dana Internship, 1994
  • Jerry Loveless Grant, 1994
  • The Hortense Fishbaugh Fellowship, 1986
  • The Foreign Press of Hollywood Award, 1986
  • The Dorothy Arzner Award, 1985

Exhibitions

  • Thelonious: Unknown Experiments in Flight, Part 1. Festival International du Film d’Amiens, Amiens France, 2007.
  • Satchmo : The Arrival of Gabriel on a Wing and a Half-Note. Festival International du Film d’Amiens, Amiens France. 2007. Film Today, California Institute for the Arts, 2007. Balagan Films Boston, 2007. University Film and Video Association Conference, 2006. FPS, Emerson College, March 2004.
  • ZONA. University Film and Video Association Conference, August 2001. Cornell Cinema, Cornell University, February 2000. California Institute of the Arts, “Film Today”, April 2000. Ithaca College, April 2000. Athens, Ohio International Film Festival, April 2000. Chicago Underground Film Festival, August 2000. Brooklyn Film Festival, September 2000.
  • The Gods & The Thief. ONI Art Collective, Boston, MA, January 2003. Black Harvest International Film & Video Festival, Film Center of the School of the Arts Institute, Chicago, Illinois, July 1995. Rada Artist Collective, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 1994. 26th Humboldt International Film Festival, "Romano Robertisini Banana Slug Award for Surrealist Film," Arcata, California, March 1993. Whitney Museum of American Art; "Re-mapping Cultures," New York, New York, May 1992. London Film Festival, November 1992. Festival International du Film D'Amiens, France, November 1992.

References

  1. ↑ "Pierre Desir | Jamaica High School | Jamaica, NY | Classmates.com is now part of - Memory Lane". Classmates.com. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  2. ↑ "What's in a Name? L.A. Rebellion | UCLA Film & Television Archive". Cinema.ucla.edu. October 28, 2011. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Rebel Forces by Vera Brunner-Sung - Moving Image Source". Movingimagesource.us. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Tenure And Diversity". Mindingthecampus.com. October 19, 2009. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Black Professor Denied Tenure at Emerson Vindicated by Report". Diverseeducation.com. February 16, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ "UCSD Communication - People". Communication.ucsd.edu. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  7. ↑ "My Experience with a Man-Eating Croc at the Lake Placid Film Festival (Just Kidding- about the croc, not about the festival)". Sagindie.org. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  8. ↑ "Pierre Desir - Emerson College". RateMyProfessors.com. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  9. ↑ "THELONIOUS: UNKNOWN EXPERIMENTS IN FLIGHT: Amiens International Film Festival". Filmfestamiens.org. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  10. ↑ "SATCHMO: THE ARRIVAL OF GABRIEL ON A WING AND A HALF-NOTE: Amiens International Film Festival". Filmfestamiens.org. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  11. ↑ http://www.balaganfilms.com/big-balagan-local-filmmakers-series-new-films-emerson-college. Retrieved March 19, 2012. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ↑ "Underground Film Festival Continues To Prosper - Page 2 - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. August 18, 2000. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 "The gods and the thief a film". Worldcat.org. October 15, 2001. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 "Pierre Désir | UCLA Film & Television Archive". Cinema.ucla.edu. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  15. ↑ "2008 July « The Rustbelt Radical". Rustbeltradical.wordpress.com. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
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