A look at Puerto Rico and its cinema through films, documentaries, and commercials from the early twentieth century to the emerging cinema of today. Visual and narrative strategies portray fragments of Puerto Rico's general history and, in turn, answers the questions of who, when, and for whom have films been made in Puerto Rico and the resources that are available to do it.
Related Movies
The Last American Colony (2019)
Puerto Rico, the last relic of colonization in the western hemisphere, has been a dependent territory of the USA since 1917. Los Macheteros and one of its leaders Juan Segarra have been fighting for its full independence for many decades.
San Juan, más allá de las murallas (2022)
Explore the 500-year history of the city of San Juan, from the move from Caparra to the different invasions during these centuries. It also looks at how different situations and people were key to what is now the capital of Puerto Rico. This documentary presents, through the recreation of key situations, archival material, and accounts of historians and researchers, decisive moments that influenced what is now the capital.
La operación (1982)
Documentary on the mass sterilization of Puerto Rican women during the 1950s and '60s.
Landfall (2020)
Hurricane María abated, the news crews packed up and left Puerto Rico, and the interest of the international community turned elsewhere. What happened next?
Una pasión llamada Clara Lair (1996)
Through dramatization and interviews with her colleagues, this film captures the life and work of famed Puerto Rican poet Mercedes Negrón Muñoz (also known as Clara Lair).
Nuyorican Básquet (2017)
The story of the basketball players that represented Puerto Rico at the San Juan's 1979 Pan Am Games.
Julia, toda en mí (2002)
A poetic journey about the life and work of Puerto Rican poet Julia de Burgos.
Anatomy of a Dress (2014)
This documentary presents the passion, the talents, the history, the struggles, and the local and international triumphs of the most renowned fashion designers in Puerto Rico. The history of garment making in Puerto Rico has marked our history, culture, and traditions forever. The exploitative history, as a labor manual industry, which served as the base for what we have today as a fashion industry is also portrayed.
El puente (1951)
The efforts of a community to build a bridge which would allow their children to go school during the rainy season.
Ellas: Mujeres en la música (2021)
A musical look at the invaluable contribution made by women to Puerto Rican music.
Rafael Cancel Miranda: I'm Not Sorry for What I Did (2016)
Explores the trajectory of the young nationalist from the time of his incarceration, at 23 years of age, as a result of the attack on the United States Congress.
El apagón: Aquí vive gente (2022)
“El apagón: Aquí vive gente” is a 23-minute film that explores the socio-economic challenges in Puerto Rico, focusing on the effects of power outages and gentrification driven by the real estate and energy sectors. Through visuals and personal stories, the documentary highlights the experiences of Puerto Rican communities facing these issues.
Antonio Paoli: Rey de Tenores y Tenor de Reyes (1991)
The life and career of Puerto Rican tenor Antonio Paoli, also known as The King of Tenors and The Tenor of Kings.
Puerto Rico (1975)
Presents a socio-economic analysis of present day Puerto Rico. Uses archival footage, re-enactments of historic events, and interviews with participants to recount the long history of U.S. involvement in Puerto Rico and the anti-colonial struggle.
Near Earth Asteroids: Dr. Anne Virkki (2020)
At Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, “Near Earth Asteroids: Dr. Anne Virkki” tells the story of Research Scientist Anne Virkki and her ongoing studies on asteroids and their threat to humanity. Originally from Finland, Anne Virkki shares her experience in education as well as her studies on asteroids, including her work hunting and tracking asteroids headed for Earth.
Solar Weather: Dr. Alessandra Pacini (2022)
Alessandra Pacini, solar physicist and mother of two, has dedicated her life to researching our sun and its relation to the rest of our solar system. Traveling across the globe with her family, from Finland to Puerto Rico, Alessandra is on a mission to discover the great mysteries of our solar system.
