Haiti faces immense challenges, including political instability, gang violence, and barriers to healthcare, especially for expectant mothers. These issues are vividly portrayed in N'AP Boule, a short film featuring a young couple navigating protests and dangerous streets in a bid to reach a hospital before the birth of their first child. In this interview, filmmaker Alexandrine Benjamin shares the inspiration behind N'AP Boule and her mission to shed light on the maternal health crisis in Haiti. The film’s powerful message aims to move viewers to support Haitians’ struggles and push for change.

Context: Haiti’s Legacy of Resilience Amid Ongoing Struggles

Haiti, the first independent Black nation, declared its independence from French colonial rule in 1804. Since then, Haitians have faced waves of challenges, including a long history of what historian Jesús G. Ruiz calls “external predation” and “imperialistic meddling” that have left the country especially vulnerable to the impact of natural disasters and inadequate infrastructure. Despite their history of resilience, Haitians continue to grapple with issues stemming from the country’s lack of economic and social stability.

In recent years, Haiti’s political turmoil has reached critical levels, marked by frequent protests, deep-rooted corruption, and a rise in gang-related violence. These gangs control entire neighborhoods, roads, and even healthcare access, especially in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. For many Haitians, this instability creates dangerous obstacles in daily life, often with tragic consequences for those in need of medical care.

Maternal health, a foundational concern in any society, is one of the most urgent and perilous issues in Haiti, where high maternal mortality rates are a troubling reality. Many women struggle to reach hospitals due to blocked roads or fear of violence, a dilemma that lies at the center of N'AP Boule. This interview provides insight into the film’s creation and the critical issues it highlights, both for Haitians and an international audience.

Alexandrine Benjamin, director of the short film *N’AP Boule*.

Interview with Alexandrine Benjamin

AB: My name is Alexandrine Benjamin, and I'm a filmmaker, producer, and co-writer of N’AP Boule. I'm so glad for this opportunity to talk about Haiti's maternal health issues, which often go unaddressed by the media. I use she/her pronouns.

CS: I appreciate that. As a researcher, I’m used to analyzing data, but filmmaking is a new world for me. What inspired N’AP Boule? Was it a specific experience, or did the idea develop over time?

The film reflects the ongoing reality in Haiti. It was born from frustration—seeing the violence, the gang killings, and especially how women and children suffer. I’m not sure if you've heard of "Pays Lock." It’s a situation in which protests and unrest essentially lock down the country, and the impact on healthcare, particularly for pregnant women, is devastating. While I support the need for justice, I wanted to highlight that our actions can have unintended consequences for the most vulnerable. This film is a way to show Haitians that while protesting, we need to protect each other.

I see. It sounds like your primary audience is the local community. Is that right?

Yes, my main goal is to reach Haitians in Haiti. I believe only we can solve our problems. People outside Haiti might watch the film and feel moved, but the message is for Haitians: we’re the ones responsible for our safety and well-being. Corruption and money play roles in our violence, but ultimately, we’re responsible for stopping it.

So, is the film meant to inform Haitians, or are you hoping it will change perspectives?

It’s both. In Haiti, people live with such intense violence that they may not even realize how encompassing it is. N’AP Boule is like a mirror for us, showing the harsh realities that may seem normal now but are far from it. For example, when we hear of a woman dying in childbirth, it’s not just a statistic—it’s a mother, a wife, someone who had dreams. I want Haitians to see that each act of violence affects a real person. We can’t afford to normalize this crisis; it will shape our future for generations.

Especially with maternal health, since it’s literally about the next generation. How does society’s view of pregnant women in Haiti relate to how violence and systemic issues are perceived?

Well, pregnant women are seen as delicate and needing care, yet no one I know is happy to be pregnant right now. Many women used to travel to the Dominican Republic to give birth safely, but with recent border closures, they’re trapped. Even reaching healthcare in Port-au-Prince is nearly impossible because of gang-controlled roads. Women are now bearing the brunt of a failed system, and the journey to give birth is a risk many don’t survive. The nation depends on our women, but they’re paying the highest price.

A scene from the film. (Photo: Chrisfort Photography)

That’s so powerful. For our international audience, how would you like them to view the film? Is it a window into a different reality, or a chance for reflection?

It’s both. The neglect of women’s health is universal, especially for Black women. Haitian women are enduring an extreme version, but women worldwide face this disregard. N’AP Boule should inspire everyone to reflect on their communities. Pregnancy and childbirth should be joyous, but Haitian women wonder if they’ll even survive the journey to the hospital. Around the world, we must advocate so survival in childbirth isn’t a luxury but a right.

Are there specific moments in N’AP Boule that resonate most with you?

The final hospital scene is the most impactful for me. The couple endures a harrowing journey, and when they finally arrive, they’re denied care because they lack money. It’s devastating. I understand healthcare workers aren’t paid enough in Haiti, but this film shows how we’ve lost our humanity. That scene is a plea for healthcare workers to remember their duty to patients.

One last question—did making this film change you?

Absolutely. I never planned to be a filmmaker, but witnessing violence and injustice pushed me into it. As a social worker, I saw women beaten and girls mistreated, and I realized that film could amplify these stories in a way that people could feel and understand. Making N’AP Boule deepened my empathy, showing me the importance of truly seeing others' struggles. Through film, I hope to help others see, care, and maybe act.

Thank you, Alexandrine. Your work is incredibly impactful.

Turning Stories into Impact

In N'AP Boule, Alexandrine Benjamin reveals the harsh realities faced by expectant mothers and families in Haiti, reminding viewers that behind each statistic lies a deeply personal story of resilience, love, and survival. Her film is both a mirror of local and transnational dynamics and a call to action, urging Haitians to consider the impact of violence on their communities and inspiring the global audience to reflect on the broader issues of maternal health and the vulnerability of marginalized populations.

By bringing these stories to the screen, Alexandrine amplifies the voices of those often unheard, illustrating the power of storytelling to drive awareness and empathy. For viewers around the world, N'AP Boule offers a glimpse into Haiti’s ongoing crisis and reminds us all of the shared responsibility to support human rights and dignity.

We invite you to watch N'AP Boule, share its message, and join in the call for change. Alexandrine’s work shows that even in the darkest of times, art can ignite conversations that may lead to a brighter, more hopeful future in Haiti and beyond.