See a selection of photographs by Academy Award-winning cinematographer and Penn alumnus Phil Parmet, who documented life in Haiti after the fall of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier in 1986.
The Academy Award-winning cinematographer, photographer, and University of Pennsylvania alumnus Phil Parmet (M.A., Annenberg, ‘67) documented life in Haiti after the fall of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier in 1986. The Photo Club of New York first exhibited the photographs in 1989 and thirty-years later they were published under the title Carrefour, the French word for a crossroad or intersection. This selection of photographs from the series captures both the “resignation, disappointment, and sadness” and the “strength and determination” felt by the Haitian people during this pivotal time in their history.
On view January 26 to May 22, 2026. This display is free and open to the public. Find it in the East elevator bay on the 5th floor of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (turn left after exiting the elevator on the 5th floor). Visitors can see the display any time the library is open. Penn faculty, staff, and students must swipe their PennCard for access. Visitors from outside the Penn community must present a current, valid government or school-issued photo ID that contains an expiration date. Find more information to plan your visit.
The University of Pennsylvania, located in the heart of the city, was at the center of the dramatic events of 1776 and the Revolution that followed. 250 years later, partners across the university are exploring how history can help us better understand the present and create a sustainable and inclusive future.
Featured image: Rara band in Port-au-Prince during Easter week in 1986 [Rara in Haiti is a music, dance, and religious ritual with roots in Vodou and historically in protests against colonial repression of African traditions]