This documentary tells the story of the bachata, Dominican Republic’s blues. It centers on the figure of singer, guitarrist, and songwriter Luis Vargas. It is also a tribute to the unknown heroes that transformed the bachata from a rejected music of the cabaret and whorehouses to a national pride and Dominican youth’s prefered urban music.
Jun 2004
Puerto Rican coffee farmers fight a plague of beetles and other menaces with homegrown biological warfare, good humor, and strong coffee.
Nov 2011
When a young mayor finds his reelection plans challenged by a crusading former evangelical pastor, a battle begins for the hearts and souls of the faithful. Amidst car caravans, cockfights, reggaeton concerts, and jujitsu work outs, the Machiavellian mayor is reborn and christened "The Boss" by his supporters. Accusations fly of malfeasance, mismanagement of funds, vote buying, and incitement of violence as the campaigns roll forward. All politics is local and from this perverse passion play uncomfortable truths emerge about the mechanics of democracy in America’s biggest colony.
Nov 2015