Roland Chassagne combs through photos and interviews about a plot to overthrow the leader of Haiti. But these aren’t images of the July assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Chassagne is piecing together the story of a group of young Haitian exiles from New York City who set out in 1964 to overthrow the brutal and repressive leader of Haiti, Papa Doc Duvalier. Chassagne's dad was among them.

Roland has photos of his dad at anti-Papa Doc rallies and training with weapons for the coup.

In the house he grew up in Jamaica, Queens, Roland works on "Disposable Souls," his documentary on the mostly forgotten but incredibly personal events.

Chassagne's dad, Albert was the campaign manager for Louis Dejoie, who ran against Duvalier in 1957.

"Doc won the electionm and because my dad was the campaign manager of the other candidatem they were going to kill him. So my father and my mother left Haiti," Chassagne said.

They fled to New York, and Albert got involved with many anti-Duvalier groups.  

"One was called 'Jeune Haiti,' which means Young Haiti Haiti. The CIA was training them," Chassagne said.

As it's told in the film, President John F. Kennedy directed the CIA and FBI to train Haitian immigrants to invade Haiti and overthrow Duvalier. After JFK ’s assassination, those plans were scrapped. But 13 members of Young Haiti decided to continue on. In 1964, they landed in the town of Jeremie. All 13, and many others in that town, were killed.

It’s still unknown why Albert didn’t go. He later wrote the book "Blood Bath in Haiti." It’s the basis for the film, which Chassagne dedicates to his late father and his mother.

Many, including Chassagne's mom, do not want him to make the film.

"Mom doesn’t want me to do it because she’s terrified of what might happen to me and the names I might mention," he said. He added that he will be naming names.

His friend, actor Laurence Fishburne, is part of the creative team, and convinced the first-time filmmaker to do the voiceover.

"In making it personal to you, that makes it more universal for everyone," Fishburne said in convincing Roland to overcome his shyness.

Walking around the Jamaica, Queens neighborhood he grew up in, Chassagne, the general manager of the popular Dizzy’s jazz club, reflects on his parents' incredible journey.

"The American dream is extremely powerful and on some level you bring trauma and tragedy, but what American offers on some level is possibilities and hope and that’s exactly what they experienced coming to Queens," Chassagne said.

An American dream that lets Chassgane share his family's story freely. He hopes to have the film completed by early next year.