iWitness Lunch Break at MMC

Join us for a screening of The Creole Pig: Haiti’s Great Loss followed by a conversation with the filmmaker, Dudley Alexis, whose prior films include Liberty in a Soup and When Liberty Burns. The conversation will be moderated by FIU History doctoral student, Nyya Toussaint.

Lunch will be served prior to the screening.

This event is presented in partnership with iWitness, a dynamic, multifaceted community nonprofit that works closely with the Green School’s Public Humanities Lab. iWitness invites us to engage in visual storytelling, critical reflection and civic dialogue, focusing on issues that impact and shape communities in Latin America and the Caribbean and their global diasporas.

About the Film

The Creole Pig: Haiti’s Great Loss recounts the story of a vital, resilient animal central to Haitian life for generations. Indigenous to Haiti, the Creole pig was a critical resource for peasant farmers. However, in the 1980s, an outbreak of swine flu prompted USAID and the Haitian government to exterminate the entire population of Creole pigs. This drastic measure delivered a devastating economic blow to an already struggling nation. The documentary explores how this mass culling accelerated Haiti’s economic decline while examining the political and social fallout. Featuring interviews with farmers, economists, educators and political analysts, the film delves into Haiti’s history and politics to unpack the profound impact of this tragic event.

About the Filmmaker

Dudley Alexis’ mission is deeply rooted in uncovering hidden details that give meaning to the lives of those often overlooked. Through his lens, he captures the stories of individuals, revealing tales of tragedy and triumph, all while emphasizing their drive for dignity and equality in a world that frequently marginalizes them.

His artistic journey began in Miami, where he studied multimedia art in high school and college. Early in his career, he worked for Miccosukee Magazine, creating short documentaries that shed light on the First Nation Miccosukee Tribe of Florida and their intersection with the everyday lives of Miami residents. This experience laid the foundation for his subsequent work, including his first full-length documentary, Liberty in a Soup (2016) exploring soup joumou and commemorating Haiti as the first independent black republic. In 2021, Liberty in a Soup earned recognition from Haiti’s UNESCO delegation which designated soup joumou as an intangible cultural heritage.

Alexis’ next documentary, When Liberty Burns, is an in-depth analysis of the 40th anniversary of the life and untimely death of Arthur McDuffie at the hands of Miami Dade police officers. This work earned Alexis nominations at the Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards and the Knight Made in Miami Film Award.