Author: Andrea Leland

Las Carpetas (The Files) Maite Rivera Carbonell, Visiting Filmmaker March 4, 2014 / 7:30 pm St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay Las Carpetas (The Files) Maite Rivera Carbonell | 2011 | 75 min.  Color Documentary, Country: Puerto Rico & Spain, Language: Spanish with English Subtitles Puerto Rico’s secret police, supported by the FBI, spied and persecuted those who disagreed with the government for decades. All collected information was classified in archives known as “the files”. An entire network was set up so that this “subversives”, were denied certain jobs through which they could exert some influence or authority (police, university, journalism). On the jobs they were hounded till they resigned. Many citizens had to emigrate since they could not find jobs in Puerto Rico. In some families they even followed the children. When the existence of the files became known in 1987, the practice known as “the carpeteo” was declared unconstitutional. It wasn’t until 1992 that 15 thousand files were officially returned to the persecuted citizens, opening a Pandora’s Box of painful memories. At present, we have Pupa, Miguel, Ismael and Norma. None of them is a political leader. They are ordinary citizens, workers, and heads of household. All were persecuted for defending causes that ran counter to the interests of the government. Through their testimony the public will see the humane side of a political story that will expose the extent of this persecution on families, workers, professionals and students. Through their personal stories, the documentary exposes a collective history. Maite Rivera Carbonell is a renowned Puerto Rican sound editor. She is a two-times winner of the Goya Award for Best Sound for her work in the feature films The Others by Alejandro Amenábar and Tres Días by Javier Gutiérrez.  Writer and director of the short film La Nota Final, which has won international awards. She graduated from the International Film and Television School (EICTV) in Cuba, where she annually works as advisor.        

The Rican-ing of White Boy Jeff Rodriquez, Visiting Filmmaker February 4, 2014 / 7:30 pm St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay Rican-ing of White Boy Paul Louis | 2012 | 56 min. What happens when a 47  year old paternally adopted Schmuck from Queens, NY , sets out for the first time to meet his long lost Puerto Rican family, after being raised by a tribe of white people?  Actor/writer, Paul Louis (Gonzalez) comically documents his journey, with no short supply of anxiety, culture  shock, religious jokes, and a surprisingly touching lessened learned on family, and the bond which connects us. “The Rican-ing of White Boy” won the Audience Choice Award at the 2013 Rincon International Film Festival – thanks in no small part to cinematographer and supporting actor, Jeff Rodriguez.  Jeff is part of the dynamic duo behind the production of the award-winning comic documentary shot on location in Rincon, Puerto Rico.  Jeff also lent his effortless comedic persona to the film as he made his screen acting debut and played comic sidekick to the film’s star and director, Paul Louis. Produced, Directed & Edited by Paul Louis. Filmed by Jeff Rodriguez & Paul Louis. Music by Kevin MacLeod. Jeff Rodriquez  was born in NYC on October 1964 to Puerto Rican parents who had emigrated to the states at an early age. Jeff had the complete opposite experience as Paul growing up because his family moved from Manhattan to Massapequa Park, Long Island when he was just 5 years old. He grew up in suburbia where most of his friends were Irish, Italian or Jewish. Although both Paul & Jeff had a different upbringing, they both were minorities in their own neighborhoods.  He now lives between Amityville, NY and Rincon, Puerto Rico and is a property manager in Rincon.  Jeff’s life experiences have taught him to enjoy the present to the fullest, be grateful for what you have and most of all Live, Love, & most of all Laugh.

Early Women’s Lib Films Julia Reichert, Visiting Filmmaker January 7, 2014 / 7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay             Julia Reichert presents a selection of short, painfully funny films from the early Women’s Liberation Movement. Growing Up Female Jim Klein, Julia Reichert | 1971 | USA | 50 min.  Widely recognized as the first feature film to come out of the modern women’s movement, Julia Reichert’s landmark documentary “Growing Up Female” follows six girls and six women living in Middle America and gives voice to their powerlessness over imposing institutional forces. Recently inducted into the National Film Registry, this painfully funny, honest and daring film remains a powerful example of what women accomplished when they first picked up the camera.  This program is something we encourage all young girls to see. Reichert will be on hand for discussion and to introduce several surprising, funny additional films from the era. Growing Up Female, a classic film of the Second Wave Women’s Movement, has been beautifully restored. This 1971 work was a basic organizing tool for Women’s Liberation over decades, screening in living rooms, nascent women’s centers, classrooms and church basements. This 1971 work was the first feature length documentary to emerge from those halcyon days.  It was very widely seen and used in women’s centers, classrooms and church basements to spread the basic insights of women’s second class status. Susan Sontag wrote “It’s one of those painful experiences that’s good for you.” Make Out Geri Ashur, Andrea Eagan | 1970 | USA | 5 min. “Make Out” shows a young couple making out in a car while a voice over reveals the young woman’s real thoughts about what is happening. Up Against the Wall Miss America Newsreel Group | 1968 | USA | 8 min.  A now-historical film about the disruption of the Miss America pageant of l968, with raps, guerrilla theater, and original songs. Anything You Want to Be Liane Brandon | 1971 | USA | 8 min.  A teenager’s humorous collision with sex-role stereotypes. Julia Reichert  was nominated three times for the Academy Award for her documentary  work and is winner of the Primetime Emmy Award.  She has directed both documentary and fiction features.  Her films have screened in major film festivals worldwide, including Sundance, New York, Telluride, Cannes and Rotterdam.  Her first five documentaries  were all broadcast on national PBS.  GROWING UP FEMALE, which was her student project at Antioch College, was recently named to the National Film Registry. Her films have screened theatrically around the U.S., playing in over 100 cities, and internationally in theaters and television in dozens of countries.  She is a proud co-founder of this distribution co-op, New Day Films, a founder of the Independent Feature Project, a professor of film production at Wright State University, a mom and a grandma.