Community and Resistance in Puerto Rico

Submitted by the Event Organizer

An afternoon of film and conversation places Puerto Rican culture front and center and helps to explain the excitement of Bad Bunny’s music in Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show.  A showcase of two short documentary films underlines San Francisco Bay Area connections and knowledge of the Borican community and resistance in Puerto Rico. A post-screening discussion invites filmmakers, activists and community members to ponder self-help and creative solutions required to meet the political and environmental impact of post-Maria Puerto Rico.

The first short, Todavía Estamos Aquí illustrates the hopeful residents of Barrio Rucio in mountainous Puerto Rico, supported by a mutual aid organization of university students and community organizers, responding to government inaction by providing educational support through Afro-traditional music, agroecology, physical activity, acompañamiento and tutoring. See the trailer of Todavía Estamos Aquí

The second film, We Still Here locally produced by Berkeley based Fistup Films follows the youth of Comerío, Puerto Rico as they become community organizers, restore housing, power, and clean-up efforts and then travel to Washington D.C. to demand action in Congress. It is a coming-of-age story about finding power and creating a sustainable future. See the trailer of We Still Here

The audience will leave with a heightened understanding of Puerto Rico’s historical and cultural context, colonial legacy and the Puertoriqueno will to survive through leadership, self-management, and collective care. All are invited to meet community partners in a reception at the conclusion of the program.

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.