Dominican Filmmaker René Fortunato and his Films Receive Recognition in New York

New York City’s Municipal Council released a proclamation of public recognition in honor of Dominican filmmaker René Fortunato for his contribution to Dominican art and culture through his documentary films.

Through his work, Dominican residents of the Big Apple have gained access to a large part of the recent history of the Dominican Republic.

The proclamation confirmed that Mr. Fortunato’s documentaries have contributed to the rescue and diffusion of the country’s historical memory which has permitted the Dominican community in New York to benefit from them. Through his work, Dominican residents of the Big Apple have gained access to a large part of the recent history of the Dominican Republic.

The initiative for the recognition of René Fortunato came from Council member Ydanis Rodríguez, who leads a group of six Dominican Council members including the Sala Capitular of the city of New York. Out of a total membership of 51 council members, 27 are of Hispanic and African American origin while the rest are white Anglo Saxon Americans.

René Fortunato received the proclamation of recognition at the Green Room of the Municipal Palace at New York’s City Hall which is located between Chambers St., Park Row and Broadway in lower Manhattan. A select group of prominent people from the New York Dominican community including Frank Cortorreal, Nazario Brea, Eduardo Hopelman, Kenyi Ogando and Agustín Fortunato Domínguez, among others.

In appreciation of the honor, Fortunato said the recognition in itself is a stimulus for him and for Dominican film, the development and diffusion of which he said he feels committed.

Fortunato’s film bibliography is made up of eight feature length documentaries in which he has rescued and disseminated, with images and sound from the era, more than a half century of Dominican history. His best-known films include:  “April: The Trench of Honor”, “Trujillo: The Power of the Chief.” And, appearing in three parts, are “Balaguer: The Violence of Power”, “The Legacy of a Tyrant” and his recent film “Bosch: President in the Imperial Frontier,” released last year and shown at various theaters.

Council Ydanis Rodríguez giving the recognition proclamation to René Fortunato.