Documentary
They Shall Not Perish
The Story of Near East Relief
They Shall Not Perish is the story of the men and women who worked to save survivors of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocides perpetrated by the Ottoman government in Turkey.
About the Film
They Shall Not Perish: The Story of Near East Relief is the story of the men and women who worked to save survivors of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian Genocides perpetrated by the Ottoman government in Turkey.
It is told through the individual stories of those who bore witness, rallied the country, raised money, and delivered aid and comfort. Utilizing leading academic experts and voice-over narration against a mix of historical film, photographs and contemporary footage, TSNP takes viewers on a journey from the depths of cruelty to the triumphs of survival.
Led by its Chairman, James L. Barton, a Boston missionary with deep experience in the region, Near East Relief (NER) would, at its peak, have a staff of three thousand. Many of the volunteers put themselves at deep personal risk to help those in need.
As the Ottoman Empire began to crumble, its rulers consolidated their power around Turkey. A genocidal policy of “Turkification” was enacted. Many of the minority population, largely consisting of Christian Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians, were massacred. Those who were initially spared were deported in brutal death marches to the deserts of Syria and beyond.
The film draws on the same primary sources explored across the Digital Museum and Archive, presented with narration and expert commentary. Feature-length. Free to watch. Donations welcome.
“Deportation of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from harrowing reports of eye witnesses it appears that a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion.”
Explore the History
Virtual Exhibit
Follow the story of America’s humanitarian response, from the first reports of genocide in 1915 to the relief efforts that followed.
Collections
Explore the photographs, letters, and field reports from across the archive that document the relief effort and the people it served.
Dispatches
Read in-depth stories from across the archive, each exploring a single place, person, or episode from NER’s history.
For Educators
Interested in using the film in the classroom? The curriculum guide supports critical engagement with the film and the history it portrays.
Cast
Experts
Crew
Special Thanks
Near East Relief Historical Society
Near East Foundation
American University Beirut
Anita Anserian
Garo Armen
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Levon Avdoyan
Vicken Babkenian
Michele Hitzik Beckerman
Charlie Benjamin
Don Buchwald & Associates
Simona Ceci
Melanie Dadourian
Garo Derounian
Hayk Demoyan
Rachel DeSario
Rosa DeSario
Judith Duryea
Leslie Malott
Carla Garapedian
Johnson Garrett
Hal Gessner
Nareg Hartounian
Harvard University
Houghton Library
Patricia Huntington
Linda Jacobs
Lucine Karjian
Missak Kelechian
Arman Kuyumjian
Marc Mamigonian
David Mann
Haig Mardikian
Christine Mardirossian
Bared Maronian
Rob Massey
Sean McMeekin
Jeffery Morgan
Khatchig Mouradian
Judi Nierman
Foster Padway
Grant Petrosyan
Pulse Media
Taline Sahakyan
Robert Schenk
Laura Chavez Silverman
Molly Sullivan
Scout Tufankjian
University of New Orleans
Heghnar Watenpaugh
Steven Weizenecker
Elise Kinney Woods