Island Lecture Series

To begin its 2025 Island Lecture Series, the Institute of Island Studies will screen the short film N’ap Boule (Through the Barricades) at 7 pm on January 21 in the Faculty Lounge, Main Building, at UPEI. A facilitated conversation with the filmmaker, Alexandrine Benjamin, will follow.

Alexandrine Benjamin is a Haitian filmmaker with a master’s degree in film production from the University of Greenwich in England. Her works mostly focus on social justice issues such as human rights, gender violence, and insecurity. She recently directed N’ap Boule, an award-winning short film that tells the heartbreaking story of a Haitian couple navigating blocked roads and murderous gangs during the treacherous socio-political movement “peyilòk” in their desperate search for a safe place to give birth.

For more than five years, Alexandrine acted as project manager for Lakou Kajou, an engaging media program produced by the small American media Blue Butterfly. This program raises awareness among Haitian children about literacy, math, and, more importantly, about how to solve problems.

Currently, Alexandrine is producing her first feature film, O Negatif, which promotes the full emancipation and inclusion of people living with HIV around the world. She believes that education is the path to a better future for Haiti, and if her art can be a tool to this end, it is the way to go.