Haitian American filmmaker Elisee Junior St. Preux captures father-son tensions in Haiti-set film

Elisee Junior St. Preux, actor and self-taught filmmaker, quietly traveled to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, to film “The Tropic Sun and His Eyes.” In a move familiar to many children of Haitian immigrants, he did so en cachet (in secret)—believing his parents wouldn’t approve. His plans were ultimately revealed by a curious family friend. Yet the journey was worth it: St. Preux set out to portray the nuanced reality of toxic masculinity between a Haitian father and his son, Ruben.

St. Preux began writing the film in December 2020 and spent two years bringing it to life. “The Tropic Sun and His Eyes” follows a man confronting his mental health while journeying to reconnect with his estranged father. Accompanied by an inquisitive child, the narrative channels a Homer’s Odyssey-like voyage that suggests intergenerational healing is as real as inherited trauma.

Though born in Miami, Florida, and now based in Atlanta, Georgia, St. Preux is intentional about location. While Los Angeles is often considered the place to be for filmmakers, he points out Atlanta’s growing role in cinema—especially for Black creatives. After Tyler Perry opened his historic studio in the city, St. Preux moved there, drawn by both practicality and a deep spiritual pull.

“You cannot get that Haiti backdrop, that Haiti rust on the walls, the architecture—you cannot get that anywhere else but Haiti,” he said. 

“If we get that undeniable Haitian backdrop on screen, we have it for life. Films don’t die. You could delete it a million places. I promise to you, it exists in one more place.”

Unlike many films about Haiti shot in Miami or New Orleans, St. Preux insisted on filming entirely in Cap-Haïtien. The decision brought logistical hurdles. He and producer Exodia Demosthene were detained at the airport for three hours upon arrival. Once inside the city, the team encountered a lack of accessible film equipment. Most productions are based in Port-au-Prince, and Cap-Haïtien lacked a filmmaking ecosystem.

Undeterred, St. Preux connected with Gilbert Mirambeau Jr. and Christian Aramy of Muska Group, the production company behind “Kidnapping Inc.” He recruited students and recent graduates from nearby schools, assembling a local crew. The set remained open to onlookers and aspiring cinephiles, reinforcing his commitment to community and visibility.

His vision is clear: heal through visual storytelling. St. Preux favors a surreal lens to explore vulnerability within Haitian households. His work helps Black men envision and experience what it means to be hugged, understood, or simply acknowledged.

“Haitian men are taught to be rock hard, financial providers, and not vulnerable. Some won’t talk very much,” he said. “I want to show something we either dream of or feel like is not possible.”

“The Tropic Sun and His Eyes” marks St. Preux’s first real visit to Haiti. The experience was transformative. “I learned that there is another part of me that is way more resilient and patient than I thought. I can tap into those things and swim in them—patience and resilience.”

The film is set for release this summer. St. Preux plans to screen it at festivals nationwide.

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