( L - R ) Preval and Glover

NEW YORK (CMC):

Venezuela President Hugo Chávez's promise to fund a film about 18th century Haitian freedom fighter, Toussaint L'Ouverture, is drawing fire from critics in Venezuela and Haiti.

Chávez has promised Black American actor Danny Glover US$18 million to make the film in Venezuela.

But Haitian President René Préval rejected the move, stating that Toussaint should be filmed in the country where he was from, not in Venezuela.

"The entire world should be proud of our patrimony," Préval is quoted here last week as saying in media reports.

"We had the first successful revolt against slavery in this hemisphere. It's our contribution to humanity.

"If Danny Glover can bring it to the screen, we will be happy," he continued. "But I hope he will shoot it here."

Wyclef Jean, a renowned Haitian hip-hop artiste, said Glover should consider making the film in his impoverished, French-speaking Caribbean country.

"We want it shot in Haiti," he said. "If a portion of the movie is not shot in Haiti, I would definitely feel disappointed.

But Glover said the film simply cannot be filmed in Haiti, disclosing that he has already spoken to a group of American stars such as Don Cheadle, Mos Def, Wesley Snipes, and Angela Bassett about being involved.

"You can't film in Haiti," he said. "It doesn't have the infrastructure, unfortunately.

"It's a US$30 million film, and you have to bring people in," he said, adding, "We haven't started casting yet; I'm sure there will be many Haitian actors in this."

At the same time, Venezuelan film-makers have taken issue with Chávez, stating that his motive is misdirected.

"Eighteen million could fund five years of local cinema in Venezuela," said director Jose Novoa. "And the film is not even about Venezuela."

Janathan Jakubowicz, another director, said the money should instead be used to ameliorate the plight of the people here.

"With so much poverty in our country, I can't deny that it infuriates and hurts me deeply."