As a part of the Sanit Bèlè Women’s Empowerment Series, Join us as we screen Emmanuella Aristil's and Nancy Fenelon’s latest documentary titled “Daughters of Ayiti”. Q&A to follow the screening. Moderated by Wynnie Lamour (NYU CLACS; Founder, The Haitian Creole Language Institute).
This event will take place in English & Haitian Creole.
About the Film:
Dyaspora: Haitians Abroad. Exploring Language and Identity
A visual diary exploring language and identity within the Haitian Dyaspora.
As Dyaspora, it’s important for us to explore our identity and what makes us who we are overseas. We know that language is an important element of one’s culture. However, is it the defining part of one’s identity? Can one still be a part of a cultural group if you don't know the language? In Dyaspora: Haitians Abroad, we explore the subject of identity, language and duality within the Haitian American community. Through personal perspectives within the NYC diaspora, we seek to broaden the discussion and gain insight to this very question.
About the Filmmakers:
Emmanuella Aristil is a Brooklyn born visual storyteller, art educator and dreamer. She received her MA from NYU Steinhardt in Art Education and BA from Brooklyn College in Film Production. Her work deconstructs the ideal standards of beauty and beauty artifacts found within western society.
Nancy Fenelon is a writer, filmmaker, and educator with an eclectic style that is inspired by her Haitian heritage. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Nancy's work speaks to the many layers of NYC and to life as immigrants. Her work is thought provoking, uplifting and builds connections.
About The Sanit Bèlè (Sanite Bélair) Women’s Empowerment Series:
Despite the invaluable contributions of many women in Caribbean history, their voices and stories have often been left by the wayside, having fallen prey to the whims of a society that often undervalues women. From providing the nurture needed by their communities to blazing new pathways, women have always led the way for movements of great change.
The Sanit Bèlè (Sanite Bélair) Women’s Empowerment Series was born out of a desire to celebrate and center the visionary work of contemporary Haitian women. Sanit Bèlè was a Haitian freedom fighter and revolutionary, and one of the many women who fought during the Haitian Revolution at the turn of the 19th century. Sanit, whom Jan-Jak Desalin (Jean-Jacques Dessalines) described as “a tigress,” is formally recognized by the Haitian Government as a National Heroine of Haiti.
Just as the Haitian Revolution led the way for so many others in the Caribbean, the courage and fortitude displayed by Sanit during the Haitian Revolution was unparalleled and continues to echo in the spirits of many Haitian women today. Her passion and fire serve as inspiration for the three Modern-Day Revolutionary women being featured this month in the Sanit Bèlè Women’s Empowerment Series:
Riva Précil, singer, songwriter, and artist.
Emmanuella Aristil, visual storyteller, teaching artist and dreamer.
Nancy Fenelon, artist and educator.
Presented by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies at NYU and the Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York.