Documentary on Haiti’s canal builders to premiere in Brooklyn

A documentary chronicling Haiti’s controversial canal project on the Massacre River will make its world premiere on Friday, August 8, at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. Titled “The Heroes of the Massacre River,” the film is directed by Haitian filmmaker Samuel Dameus and presented by Faces of Haiti in partnership with BOYOFilms.

The screening will begin at 8 p.m., following a cocktail reception and leading into a live discussion with the director and featured guests. The evening aims to highlight what organizers describe as an enduring example of civic determination by Haitians in the face of adversity.

At the heart of the documentary is the story of the canal at Ouanaminthe, an infrastructure project initiated and constructed by Haitian communities and supported by members of the Haitian diaspora. 

The film follows Angie Clervil as she uncovers inspiring stories of community champions like the late Milourie Sylfrard, Theodore Johnson, and Joseph Pressoir, alongside notable leaders such as Architect Wideline Pierre, Economist Etzer Emile, Dr. Bertrhude Albert, and Dr. Naismy-Mary Fleurant, whose collective efforts mobilized resources, galvanized action, and united Haitians globally.

In a statement, Dameus called the film “a story of hope and national pride,” describing it as both a documentary and “a living testament to the indomitable spirit of Haiti.” The production team traveled to Ouanaminthe to document what the filmmaker characterized as a historic moment, when local residents took on a state-level undertaking, building a canal with limited resources and significant public support.

The Massacre River, which forms part of the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has long been the site of historical tension. In 2023, as Haitian workers began expanding a canal to redirect water for local agricultural use, the Dominican government responded by closing border crossings and raising environmental objections. The canal project was temporarily halted but eventually resumed.

While the international response to the canal was mixed, it became a point of national significance for many Haitians, who saw the construction as an assertion of sovereignty and community agency. The film documents this moment from the ground up, centering those who laid the concrete, raised funds, and sustained morale.

“I am happy with the work,” said Samuel Dallemand, a vendor working near the canal in a 2023 interview with The Haitian Times. 

“This is one of the biggest accomplishments in the northeast. We appreciate the collaboration from people all over, and our hope is that we’ll have many more works like this one.”  

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