Yo soy Boricua, pa'que tu lo sepas! (2006)

Directors:

Liz Garbus
Rosie Perez

Writer:

Roger M. Sherman (writer)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot:

A documentary on New York's annual Puerto Rican Day parade. |

Plot Keywords:

Grocery Store | Puerto Rican | Puerto Rico

Cast

Rosie Perez	...	Herself
Pedro Pietri	...	Himself
Sixto Ramos	...	Himself
Ramon Rodriguez	...	Himself
Jimmy Smits	...	Narrator
Rafael Tufiño	...	Himself

Directed by
Liz Garbus
Rosie Perez

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Roger M. Sherman		writer

Produced by
Alison Palmer Bourke	....	executive producer
Julie Gaither	....	line producer
Liz Garbus	....	producer
Rory Kennedy	....	producer
Rosie Perez	....	executive producer
Evan Shapiro	....	executive producer
Roger M. Sherman	....	producer

Original Music by
Carlos Valdez

Cinematography by
Tom Hurwitz
Roger Sherman

Film Editing by
Kate Taverna

Production Management
Matthew Justus	....	post-production supervisor

Sound Department
Keith Hodne	....	sound re-recording mixer

Visual Effects by
Chris Kairalla	....	digital animation

Editorial Department
Joaquin Perez	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Beth Callas	....	production coordinator
Eric Daniel Metzgar	....	production assistant
Jessica Perez	....	production coordinator
Carissa Potenza	....	researcher

Production Companies

• Independent Film Channel (IFC)
• Moxie Firecracker Films
• Ten in a Car Productions

Distributors

• Independent Film Channel (IFC) (2005) (worldwide) (TV)
• Red Envelope Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

I'm Boricua, Just So You Know! (USA) (alternative title)
Untitled Rosie Perez Project (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:86 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Independent Film Channel (IFC)

Wonderful documentary but....

Rosie and her family did a wonderful job of outlining our history in a way that is exciting and informative. Even the dedicated historian might learn a thing or two from this film but what it offers most is a genuine 'feel' of the Puerto Rican experience in America. Sure, the PBS programs of Puerto Rico are more informative, but they lack the personal touch.

But here's whats wrong with the film... Though the Taino Indians were mentioned probably over a dozen times, their culture and history explained, the contribution of Africans to the island was sadly absent from the documentary. I am very happy that the more contemporary historical black figures such as Don Pedro Albizu Campos were celebrated in the film, but you'd think black folks did nothing but work until he came along. Much was said about resistance against Spain and about bomba music, but they forgot to mention that bomba is African music as it is interpreted in Puerto Rico and that it too was part of the resistance. No mention that those barriles (drums) were outlawed because they were part of the resistance.

There was an entertaining, if not slightly embarrassing section (if we can't laugh ourselves...) on Puerto Rican Spanish. They mentioned the Taino influence, they mentioned the English words that have crept in but surprisingly, failed to mention all the African words that make up Puerto Rican Spanish like 'bemba' meaning lips or mondongo which brings me to food. Yes, they mentioned the frituras and Puerto Rican cooking but failed to mention the many African influences that make up our daily meals from cuchifritos and mondongo to pasteles.

My final comment: It was a good piece. I applaud our sister Rosie Perez on her directorial debut and wish her the best of luck. I encourage you to see it if you haven't, see it again if you have.