Reflections of an American at the Festival de Cine Internacional de San Juan, PR

"You remember the gala de apertura for last year's Festival," says Lillian, "We didn't know anybody at that red-carpet event." It's true. We had just moved to the island and the Festival was our first experience of the San Juan cinema and art scene. "Do you see anyone we know?" asks Lillian.

We're early and a crowd has just started forming in the lobby of Cine Metro in Santurce."No, not yet," I tell her, although I notice a few people pointing at us and one raising a camera to take our photograph. Then I look down and realize we're standing on the red carpet in the area reserved for actors, directors and other invited guests. "I think we'd better move," I tell Lillian. Press credentials in hand, we make our way to the table where tapas and wine are being served.

The selections for this year's Festival are diverse, featuring movies from 20 countries, including Brasil, Chile, China, Hungria, Iran, Noruega, Peru, Rumania and Turquia. 13 of the 30 films are competing for the Don Ricardo Alegria Premio a la Mejor Pelicula de Caribena, and include films from Republica Dominicana, Cuba, Venezuela, Columbia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico, Barbados, Guadalupe, and four films made here in Puerto Rico. This year's Festival also includes a special grouping, Nuevo Cine Espana...

Click here to download:

An American in Puerto Rico.pdf (2.12 MB)

(download)

Click here to download:

An American in Puerto Rico.pdf (2.12 MB)

Jan Galligan y Lillian Mulero
75Grand/Sur
Santa Olaya, PR

http://75Grand.posterous.com [foto blog]
http://JANGuarte.posterous.com [art blog]