STJ Film Society Cancels Screening of PR Films

One of the children from the documentary “Los Ninos de Maria”

St. John Film Society has canceled events until further notice. The filmmaker coming from Puerto Rico has decided not to come for the March 18th screening. The governor of Puerto Rico has declared a State of Emergency in response to the pandemic. It is best for all of us to avoid public gatherings at this time.

“Danae” is a short documentary, and “Los Ninos de Maria” is a 60-minute documentary that will be shown at 7:30 pm., Wednesday, March 18, at St. John School of the Arts (SJSA), Cruz Bay.

“Danae,” by filmmaker Julio Benito Cabrera, is about a young artist from Montréal who decides to devote her life to making street art murals with children in communities all over the world. (D) (Canada)

“Los Ninos de Maria” with special guest speaker producer Laura Duque: The documentary follows the lives of several children in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 hurricane that hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017.  Hurricane Maria passed through Puerto Rico destroying everything in its path.  The film captures the trauma of living through the hurricane, its emotional and material impact on families, and the work of recovery — all from the perspective of children.

A Puerto Rican boy in the documentary “Los Ninos de Maria”

The film explores the central role of children in the process of reconstruction and how their leadership will impact the future for years to come. The film reveals their adaptation to this new life, the challenges of family relationships, the economic and social consequences, possible emigration and the impact on their lives. More than anything, the children’s greatest concern is on how to rebuild the island.

Producer Laura Duque will be visiting from Puerto Rico. She was born in Colombia, studied film at New York University and lives in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where she has a production company called One Film Corporation. During her 35-year career, she has produced television commercials, promotional videos, feature films and documentaries.

“Los Ninos de Maria”

She made the documentary in 2018 after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico; she felt the need to give a message of hope. The documentary has been selected in four festivals so far and won Best Documentary and People’s Choice Award at the Rincon International Film Festival.

SJFS is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, Virgin Island Council on the Arts and the St. John Community Foundation.

For more information, contact St. John Film Society at stjviff@gmail.com or www.stjohnfilm.com or 715-0551.

The suggested donation is $5, or become a member of SJFS: $40 individual/ $60 couple.