An afternoon of film and conversation underlines San Francisco Bay Area connections and knowledge of community and resistance in Puerto Rico. A showcase of two short documentary films focuses on the awareness of the water crisis, poverty, austerity in post-Maria Puerto Rico and the self-help and creative solutions that the community require.
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.
Connect: Todavía Estamos Aquí - Trailer
The second film, We Still Here locally produced by 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.
Connect: We Still Here - Trailer
A post screening conversation provides historical and cultural context of the island’s colonial legacy and the Puertoriqueno will to survive through leadership, self-management, and collective care. The audience will leave with a heightened understanding of colonial and environmental practices that will continue to be replicated in our own communities on the mainland.
Space limited. Reservations required: sign-up at Eventbrite
Presented with support from:
University of San Francisco School of Education, International and Multicultural Education
Leo T. McCarthy Center for Public Service and the Common Good
San Francisco Public Library Latinx Center
University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez
USF School of Critical Diversity Studies
USF School of Performing Arts and Social Justice
USF Master in Migration Studies Program
USF Architecture
USF Global Studies
USF Center for Global Education
Community Partner:
Voice of Witness
Cine+Mas San Francisco Latino Film Festival
La Tertulia Boricua