Children and Youth Library Celebrates Sixth Annual Dominican Film Festival 2019

Santo Domingo – Films are a powerful cultural tool that allows us to explore the human condition through images and sound. At the same time, films are an unending source of information that helps the viewer develop a critical sense of the history of a particular nation.
Convinced of this reality, the Children and Youth Library of the Dominican Republic (BIJRD) will hold its Sixth Annual Dominican Film Festival 2019 from March 26-29, at the Library’s La Trinitaria Auditorium.
The Center will also hold various panels on the Dominican film industry, where both panelists and audience will discuss some of the most popular films exhibited during the Festival and the issues they touch upon, such as equality, democracy, mutual respect, love, tolerance, social inclusion, friendship, faith, social justice, humility, peace, integrity and perseverance.
This year, the Festival will highlight movies filmed between 2015 and 2018. There will be films included in the “comedy” category, such as “Hermanos,” by Archie López and “Misión Estrella,” by Fernando Báez. Also, the drama film “Lo que siento por ti,” (What I Feel For You) by Raúl Camilo and the documentary “Nana,” by Tatiana Fernández.
Ever since the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Margarita Cedeño, inaugurated the BIJRD in 2009, the film industry has been an important component of the Center’s annual agenda.
The Center’s director, Dulce Elvira de los Santos, explained that the film industry is and will always be an important tool to transmit knowledge and culture to the overall population. Films provide viewers with infinite possibilities to discover different stories, landscapes, places and customs.
During the year the Library includes films in its regular programming, specifically films that are chosen for the enjoyment of the entire family. Programming also includes film workshops for young people between the ages of 13 through 18.
To date, some 4,289 children, teenagers and young adults have enjoyed Dominican films that have been included in the Center’s cultural programming. Some of the Dominican films exhibited are “Luis,” by Archie López; “Azul Magia,” by Yoel Morales; “Mañana no te olvides,” by José Enrique Pintor; “Súper Papá,” by Roberto Ángel Salcedo; “De pez en cuando,” by Francisco Valdez; “María Montez,” by Vicente Peñarrocha; “Detective Willy,” by José María Cabral and “Y a Dios que me perdone”, de Ángel Muñiz, entre otras.

PROGRAM:
Tuesday, March 26: 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.: “Lo que siento por ti.” (What I Feel For You).
This trilogy tells the story of Ana (Yordanka Ariosa), a single mother who was abandoned by her husband with her two Autistic children. It is their struggle to be accepted by their surrounding community. The story also tells the story of Jorge (Frank Perozo) and Diana (Nashla Bogaert), a couple that has been married for eight years and who have been struggling to have a child. The other is the beautiful story lived by (Félix Germán), the father of a teenager with Down’s Syndrome, whom he accompanies to participate in the II Latin American Special Olympics in Puerto Rico.
Wednesday, March 27: 10:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. “Misión Estrella.”
This comedy/action film tells the story of Teo (Javi Grullón), a humble young delivery boy who works at a local grocery story in Villa Juana, a Santo Domingo neighborhood. Ever since he was a little boy Teo has wanted to participate in a popular international extreme sports reality show. In his efforts to reach his goal, he is forced to face serious challenges.

Thursday, March 28: 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. “Nana”
This documentary is the story of the children of three women who had to leave their children in their homeland, under the care of others, in order to care for others.

Friday, March 29, 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. “Hermanos.”
This comedy tells the story of an unexpected encounter between twin brothers who were separated at birth. It is a movie to be enjoyed by the entire family.