New film explores the tragic story of Rudy Eugene, the Haitian community’s struggles, and the misrepresentation in the media
Back in 2012 summer, the world was shocked by the horrific face-chewing attack that occurred near Miami’s MacArthur Causeway. 31-year-old Rudy Eugene was deemed the so-called 'Miami Zombie' by the media following his brutal attack on 65-year-old Ronald Poppo, a homeless person. The incident, which resulted in Poppo losing parts of his face, was broadcast across the globe, with many sensationalized reports focusing on the shocking nature of Eugene’s actions. However, a new film titled Know Me reveals a different side to the story—one that unpacks Eugene’s mental health struggles and the lasting effects on his Haitian family.
The Miami face-chewing attack: A media frenzy
On May 26, 2012, Eugene, who was Haitian, engaged in an attack so gruesome that it became one of the most infamous incidents in Miami’s history. Witnesses described Eugene as acting erratically, chewing off large portions of Poppo’s face before being gunned down by an officer from the Miami Police Department. Lab tests revealed that only marijuana was present in Eugene's system, with no traces of other drugs or alcohol. Despite the lack of conclusive evidence for any other substance, the media quickly dubbed Eugene the "Causeway Cannibal" and linked his actions to zombie lore, a portrayal that the Haitian community would later claim as inaccurate and harmful.
Poppo, the victim of the face-chewing attack, endured multiple reconstructive surgeries after losing his eye, nose, eyebrows, and some parts of the face. This portrayal focused on sensationalized details, often emphasizing Eugene’s supposed zombie-like behavior, which only fueled misconceptions about Haitian religious practices.
Know Me: A deeper look into Eugene’s life
Know Me, the latest film by Edson Jean, provides a counter-narrative to the widely accepted story. The film, currently in post-production, examines the life of Rudy Eugene, focusing on mental wellness struggles and the impact of the media's portrayal. The film follows Eugene's brother as he strives to preserve his sibling’s memory, highlighting the emotional toll that the incident had on the family, particularly within the Haitian community. Jean, who plays Eugene's brother, said the project was initiated as a means to understand Eugene’s actions but became a screenplay that sheds light on the untold story of mental illness and cultural stigma.
Jean also emphasizes how Eugene's Haitian heritage contributed to the media’s branding of him as a "zombie." Haiti, recognized for its vodou practices, became the backdrop for a series of inaccurate assumptions about Eugene's actions. Jean explained that many Haitians practice Christianity, not vodou, and the portrayal of Eugene as embodying these dark practices alienated his family and led to significant backlash from within the Haitian community. The community’s response to the attack and the subsequent media attention was one of isolation, as local churches and neighbors distanced themselves from Eugene's family during a time when they most needed support.
The film also highlights the stark contrast between Eugene’s case and another infamous incident that occurred years later. In 2016, Austin Hariff, a white man, was arrested for chewing the faces of a married couple in Tequesta, Florida. The media's response to Hariff's actions was far less sensationalized than the coverage of Eugene, raising questions about racial disparities in media portrayals of violent incidents.
Know Me aims to open a broader, more empathetic conversation about mental health and the way communities handle such tragedies. Jean said that, while the film doesn't shy away from the brutal nature of Eugene's actions, it urges viewers to reconsider their immediate reactions and take a more compassionate view of mental health issues and cultural differences.
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