Haitian Studies Association

General Interest, Past Events, Photos & Videos, Videos


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Film Screening: The Heroes of the Massacre River (Oct. 10, 2025)



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Date & Time: Friday, October  10th 2025 / 3pm ET/12pm PT/9pm CET (Zoom)

Sponsors: Haitian Studies Association; University of Maryland; CUNY Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College
The Heroes of the Massacre River by Samuel Dameus takes viewers on a powerful journey that recounts the stories of the courageous women and men who built the historical Canal of Ouanaminthe. The film demonstrates how Haitians around Haiti and the diaspora exemplify the adage of Anpil men chay pa lou. [With many hands the load is lighter]. The film centers the work of some key people including  architect Wideline Pierre, Milourie Sylfrard,  Dr. Naismy Mary Fleurant, Theodore Johnson, Joseph Pressoir, Etzer Emile,Dr. Berthude Albert and Max Angie Clervil. The film is also a commentary about the complexity of colonialism and borders as well as the role that the Massacre River continues to play in Haiti’s history.