LATINO FILM FESTIVAL

April 21 to April 30. 1990

FILMS TO FEATURED

Garcia Marquez Cycle

Letters from the Park by Tomas Gutierrez Alea (Cuba) The Fable of the Beautiful Pigeon Fancier by Ruy Guerra (Brazil) Miracle in Rome by Lisandro Duque (Colombia) The Summer of Miss Forbes by Jaime H. Hermosillo (Mexico) rm The One You're Looking For by Jaime Chavarri (Spain) A Happy Sunday by Olegario Barrera (Venezuela)

Other Films

Break of Dawn by Isaac Artenstein (Chicano) She Can Drive a Person Crazy by Sergio Rezende (Brazil) Barroco by Paul Leduc (Mexico) EI Caso de Santiago by Jacobo Morales (Puerto Rico) A Matter of Honor by Sergio Cabrera (Colombia) A One \V ay Ticket (Dominican Republic) Tango. EIilios de Gardel by Fernando Solanas () 11tw C/&keL ft/hlJ- , ,I .- did-· d~:r(PIIO T~: £L- ~LUzl chqa..tad~ ~~H.~ t:J i - CM /-It.. G,.;; Jo

Jawbo , 7?,

} I I )

fJ i- rl1@d~ iSA-iC Aufew;re;,... (6 1'1) ~we4- f~ J-- 8rt. A;{ S~cJ))'~ - f~ b- ~V~ d~ 1/ ~ 7- 1{ )Wk.Jd6~ fj t- r (v.,iJ'V4L j~ f~ ?- FILM PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR CAFE TEATRO I I SERIES

PR.OGR.AM I-October 2. 1990

Plena is Wort. Plena is Song -37 min.- (1989) Directed by Pedro Rivera and Susan Zeig

A film about the historical and social roots of the plena, a popular musical expression in Puerto Rico. in which romance. personal tragedy and daily news become the target of satirical humor and in which protest and mourning become celebration. Great pleneros of the 1950s like Cortijo. Canario and Ismael Rivera are featured in rare performance footage.

Iawo -40 min.- (1978) Directed by Gerald Sarno

Examines the Yoruba cult of the Orisha, which survives today in such areas as Cuba and Brazil. By showing the initiation of a group of women into a temple, the film offers a deeper examination of the religion. its ideology and social meaning.

PROGRAM 2- October 9. 1990 At / ~ (11 Lo que Je paso a Santiago (What Happened to Santiago)- 95 min. ­ (1989 ) Directed by: Jacobo Morales (Puerto Rico)

Morales's third feature film. it was nominated for an Academy Award (1990 ) in the category of best foreign-language film. It tells the story of an elderly man, Santiago, whose humdrum existence is shaken by a beautiful, eccentric woman whio is twenty years younger. Poetic and bittersweet, it is a rueful exploration about love.

PROGRAM 3- October 16. 1990

Havana Postmodern: The New Cuban Art -40 min.- (1988 ) Directed/Produced by: Robert Knafo. Coco Fusco. Andras Mesz

A rare glimpse into the new. sophisticated Cuban visual arts scene, which ranges from pop culture to Afro-Cuban ritual. from Soho to semiotics. Artists interviewed talk about censorship. feminism and the relationship between art and revolution. It is an irreverent, informed and fresh look at an important barometer of change in Cuban society. .'

IA BaHart: The Journey of a Latin Dance Company -30 min.- (t 988) Directed by: Catherine Calderon

The film documents Eddie Torres' attempt to create a Latin Dance Company along the lines of what Alvin Ailey has done. Torres is part of a revival of the Palladium era of the 1940s when the mambo reigned. It is a behind-the­ scenes look at a vital cultural expression. The music is by Tito Puente.

PROGRAM 4- October 23. 1990

La pelicula del rey (A [ing and His Movie) -104 minutes- (1985) Directed by: Carlos SOrln (Argentina)

A young, fanatical film director has dreams of producing an epic work based on the true story of a French adventurer of the 19th century who appointed himself king among Patagonian Indian tribes in the 1860s. Beset by a magnitude of problems (running out of money, actors abandoning the project) Sorin's movie becomes a film about the making of La peUcula del rey. It is stunningly visual. unpredictable and outrageously funny, an apt metaphor for how things work (or become undone) under the rigors of underdevelopment. A [ing and His Movie won the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival.

PROGRAM 5- October 30. 1990

Break of Dawn -90 min- 1989 Directed by: Isaac Artenstein (Mexico/US)

By the same director of Ballad of the Unsung Hero, this film is based on the life of Pedro j. Gonzalez, who was a telegraph operator for Pancho Villa, then later became a radio star in Los Angeles. He was subsequently arrested in 1934 on trumped-up charges, imprisoned and deported to Mexico. Finally, Gonzalez was vindicated and returned to the U.S.- 30 years later. A gripping film about commitment and racism.

PROGRAM 6- November 6. 1990

Barroco- 100 min- 1988 Directed by Paul Leduc (Mexico)

A loose adaptation of Alejo Carpentier's Concierto Barraco. Leduc's experimental approach and use of Mexico's rich cultural tradition as a way of exammmg 's baroque traditions evolves into a freely­ structured mosaic. By the same director of award-winning films like John Reed: MeIico Insurgente and Prid.: PROGRAM 7- November 13. 1990

Boleto de Ida (A One Way Ticket) - 98 min.- 1988 Dominican Republic

A moving tale of Dominican workers who pay a handsome price to be stowaways on a ship that will take them to Puerto Rico, where they hope to find a better economic future. It is a harrowing expereince for the would-be immigrants, as the title of the film suggests and it takes a stark look at corruption and betrayal.

PROGRAM 8- November 27. 1990

Sur (South) -127 min. - 1987 Directed by: Fernando Solanas (Argentina)

Solanas third feature is about Florea!. a man who spent five years in jaiJ under the dictatorship (1976-83), is let out of prison and it is time for "the return". A lyrical film, told in strikingly poetic and theatrical images, it is the story about internal exile and is complementary to his previous film ." Tangos: The EIile of Garde1. Solanas won the Best Director Award at Cannes in 1988 for Sur.

PROGRAM 9- December

Doida Demais (She Can Drive a Person Crazy)- 110 min.- 1988 Directed by: Sergio Rezende (Brazil)

Doida Demais is a raucous comedy starring Vera Fischer as a beautiful art forger who. meeting a pilot in the backlands of Brazil, becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures. It is lushly photographed and the acting is first­ rate. 1991 CAFE TEATRO CALENDAR

~- -~ March 16, 1991 I___ ~~~~ /Jimenez ,Concert _. / March 21, 1991 l~ Program #1- Plena is Work, Plena is Song and Iawo April 4, 1991 r::Film Program #2- Lo que pas6 a san~ago April 5, 1991 Hilton Ruiz Concert \ April 11, 1991 Film Program #3- La pelicula del rey ~ April 18, 1991 Film Program #4- Boleto de Ida

April 25, 1991 Film Program #5- Sur \ \ April 26, 1991 Underground Railway Theater- "Are You Ready My Sister?" \ May 2, 1991 '" Film Program #6- Doida Demais

May 10, 1991 Miti Bermejo in Concert \

------FILM PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR SPRING 1991 CAFE TEATRO SERIES

PROGRAM 1 - March 21, 1991

Plena is Work, Plena is Song - 37 min.-(1989) Directed by Pedro Rivera and Susan Zeig .

A film about the historical and social roots of the plena, a popular musical expression in Puerto Rico, in which romance, personal tragedy and daily news become the target of satirical humor and in which protest and mourning become celebration. Great pleneros of the 1950s like Cortijo, Canario and Ismael Rivera are featured in rare performance footage.

Iawo -40 min.-(1978) Directed by Gerald Sarno

Examines the Yoruba cult of the Orisha, which survives today in such areas as Cuba and Brazil. By showing the initiation of a group of women into a temple, the film offers a deeper examination of the religion, its ideology and social meaning.

PROGRAM 2 -April 4, 1991

Lo que pas6 a Santiago (What Happened to Santiago) -95 min.­ (1989) Directed by: Jacobo Morales (Puerto Rico)

Morales's third feature film, it was nominated for an Academy Award (1990) in the category of best foreign-language film. It tells the story of an elderly man, Santiago, whose humdrum existence is shaken by a beautiful, eccentric woman who is twenty years younger. Poetic and bittersweet, it is a rueful exploration about love.

PROGRAM 3 - April 11, 1991

La pelicula del rey (A King and His Movie) -104 min. (1985) Directed by: Carlos Sorin (Argentina)

A young, fanatical film director has dreams of producing an epic . ~ work based on the true story of a French adventurer of the 19th .• century who appointed himself king among Patagonian Indian tribes in the 1860's. Beset by a magnitude of problems (running out of money, actors abandoning the project) Sorin's movie becomes a film about the making of La pelicula del rey. It is stunningly visual, unpredictable and outrageously funny, an apt metaphor for how things work (or become undone) under the rigors of underdevelopment. A King and his Movie won the Silver Lion Award at the Venice Film Festival. ..

PROGRAM 4 -April 18, 1991

Boleto de Ida (A One Way Ticket) -98 min. 1988 Dominican Republic

A moving tale of Dominican workers who pay a handsome price to be stowaways on a ship that will take them to Puerto Rico, where they hope to find a better economic future. It is a harrowing experience for the would-be immigrants, as the title of the film sugg'ests, and it takes a stark look at corruption and betrayal.

PROGRAM 5 -April 25, 1991

Sur (South) -127 min. 1987 Directed by: Fernando Solanas (Argentina)

Solanas' third feature is about Floreal, a man who spent five years in jail under the dictatorship (1976-83), is let out of prison and it is time for "the return". A lyrical film, told in strikingly poetic and theatrical images, it is the story about internal exile and is complementary to his previous film Tangos: The Exile of Gardel. Solanas won the Best Director Award at Cannes in 1988 for Sur.

PROGRAM 6 -May 2, 1991

Doida Demais (She Can Drive a Person Crazy) -110 min. 1988 Directed by: Sergio Rezende (Brazil)

Doida Demais is a raucous comedy starring Vera Fischer as a beautiful art forger who, meeting a pilot in the backlands of Brazil, becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures. It is lushly photographed and the acting is first-rate. "LO QUE LE PASO A SANTIAGO" ("What happened to Santiago") Santiago Rodríguez has be en an accountant for 40 years. He is a simple, good man, overwhelmed by widowhood, his children's conflicts, and the insecurities and materialism that prevail in his country. His feelings of loneliness deepens when at the age of 65 he is discarded by the Company he has worked for since his youth. 1n one of his nostalgic walks, he meets Angelina in a park, a woman much younger than him, with a distinguished and enigmatic aspecto They establish a relationship that begins to renew in Santiago an eagerness for life. However, Angelina is hesitant to talk about her pasto Santiago turns to an investigator to uncover the reason for her silence. The result of this investigation shocks Santiago and forces him to make a very Production Company DIOS LOS CRIA, INC. AND difficult decision. PRODUCCIONES PEDRO The story contains elements of humor and character MUÑIZ that belong in the realm of make belief. Writer/Director JACOBO MqRALES Producer PEDRO MUNIZ Executive Producer BLANCA SILVIA ERO Director of Photography AGUSTIN CUBANO Lo que le pasó a Santiago Art Director BONITA HUFFMAN (What happened to Santiago) Editor ALFONSO BORRELL Music PEDRO RIVERA TOLEDO Sound ANTONIO BETANCOURT Costume Designer GLORIASAEZ A Jacobo Morales film Assistant to the Director AMOS ROSARIO U nit Manager VICENTE JUARBE Script Supervisor JUAN ESTEBAN SUAREZ Mak~- U p/Hair MIGDALIA CORREA "Dios los Cría"; 1980 • Habana, Cuba: Coral Awards (Best Actress Esther "Muñizs pe10rmance in Santiago is a gem ': ADMINISTRATIVE • Video Luz Production Company Sandoval and Best Film) in the New Latin America Luis Trelles (The San Juan Star) Film Festival; 1980. Vice President - 1980-86 • London, England: Outstanding Film of the Year, "The best dramatic production of the decade': • Channc17 London Film Festival; 1981 Vice President & General Manager - María Cristina (Claridad) 1981-86 • Cannes, France: XXXW Festival International Du TELEVISION Film, Diplome de Participation, Section "Un Certain ']acobo Morales deserves distinction and recognition. • "Maripili" Popular Family Sitcom Regard",·lJ81 With this film, his third, his mastery in this art is Producer and main talent - 1988-90 • Biarritz, France: Makhila (Audience Popularity confirmed': • Miss Puerto Rico Pageant Award) III Biarritz Film Festival; 1981 . José M. Umpierre (El Nuevo Día) • Miss World Pageant • Presented by the Lincoln Center Film Society and the Producer for Television - 1987-present Department of Cinema of the M useum ofModern Art in New York Citys sample of"New Directors, New Films': "Narrative is straightforward and rife with detail and RADIO • Viaje con Nosotros where it was acclaimed by the public andocritics; lJ8J humor. Dialog is fresh and believable, avoiding cloying "Nicolás y los Demás"; 1986 Producer of radio travel program sentimentalit!} Competent lensing by Agustín Cubano • Best Actor Award, ¡acobo Morales. XXVI Cartagena • P.R. Basketball League and San ¡ uan location give the pie a sense of Old World Film Festival, CartafIena, Colombia; 1986 Radio Producer lJ87, Guaynabo Team charm within a modern contexto "Lo que le Pasó a Santiago'; 1989 FILM • Osear Nominee for Best Foreign Language Film lJ90 With 'Santiago: Morales has achieved a mature film • "Lo que le pasó a Santiago' that should find offshore acceptance': Producer - lJ87-90 ACTING Paul Lenti (Variety) • San Juan Film Festival • Dramatic role in more than JO plays. Actor-director in Consultant and Member of the Board of Directors all his theatrical works. • Woody Allens film, "Bananas"; lJ70 "Under ¡acobos direction, the local actors and actresses lJ89-91 • Co-star with in "U p the Sandbox",· have provided us with pe10rmances never se en before in • Junior Cordero 1972 Puerto Rican films': Producer offt:mior Corderos via satellite program TELEVISION Carlos Camuñas (Revista Vea) of his induction to the Racing Hall of Fame. • Director, producer, writer and actor since tc1evision started in Puerto Rico in 1954. His programs have been widc1y accepted and have shown consistent high ratings. DIOS LOS CRIA, INC.

Apartado 1276 Correo General Sa~l Juan, P.R. 00936-1276 Tel. (809) 758-9916

CONTRATO DE EXHIBICION

Entre Inquilinos boricuas en acción con domiciljo en

4 O5 Sh awmu t A ve., Bos t on, M ass. denominado en adelante EL COMPRADOR por una parte y por la otra Dios los cría Inc., con domicilio en Génova 1809 College Park, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico 00921, en adelante EL VENDEDOR, convienen en celebrar el

~iguiente contrato sujeto a lo que se detalle a continuaci6n, y a

.. as cláusulas que se insertan a dorso, que son parte j ntegrante del presente:

LA PELICULA DEBERA EXHIBIRSE POR: División de Arte y Cultura

Inquilinos boricuas en acción.

TERRITORIO DE EXHIBICrON: Boston, Massachussetts

TITULO DE LA PELICULA: Lo que le pase;) a Santiago

MATERIAL A PROVEER: Video tipo "VHS" en español

CANTIDAD DE EXHIBICIONES: Una (l)

FECHA DE INICIACrON: 11 de abril de 1991 DURAcrmT: 1:45

PRECIO POR EXHIBICTON: $30.00 mas franqpeo y transportee

FORMA DE PAGO: Cheque (pago del vLdeo) y Federal Express (acarreo)

LOS MATERIALES DEBERAN ENTREGARSE A: 405 Shawmut Avenue

Boston, Massachussetts 02118 LOS MATERJALES DEBERAN DEVOLVERSE A: N/A

OTROS:

PRlMERA: EL VENDEDOR ~arantiza terer el derecho absoluto de conceder 1a licencia que por el presente documento se otorga. SEGUNDA: Todas 1as exhibiclores previstas en e1 presente se "efectuaran dentro del plazo establecido aJ fY'ente de e~te contrato. TERCERA: E1 monte totaJ fijado al frente de] presente no esta sujeta a descuento alguno por ningun concepto. CUARTA: Todos los pagos previstos en es e contrato seran abonados a FL VENDEDOR en dolares estadounidenses sobre e1 banco que se indique. QUINTA: Todos los gastos de transporte correpondientes a la entrega y devolucion de 1a pelicula, incluyendo flete, seguros, etc. quedan por cuenta de EL COMPRADOR.

SFXTA: En e1 caso que EL COMPRADOR efectue una 0 mas exhibiciones adicionales a as que se convienen en el presen+e, cualquiera sea 1a localidad del Territorio establecido en este contY'ato donde s~ efectua(n) la(s) exhibicion(es) adicional(es) EL COMPFADOR debera abonar inmediatamente cada una de dichas exhibiciones a EL VENDEOOR a1 precio tot-a) por exhibicjon f "jado a1 frente de] presente, y sin que ello implique extender el plazo fijado en p presente para exhibicion y/o devolucion de Jas capias. SEPTIMA: EL COMPRADOR tiene e1 derecho de exhibir toda a pub1icidad comerciaJ que estime convenjente para sus intereses . OCTAVA: EJ incurnplimient o por parte de EL COMPRADOR de alguna de las condiciones pactadas en este cont rato, todas las cuales se consideran esencia1es, dara derecho a EL VENDEDOR a suspender la provisi on de l as pel iculas pactadas, y a reclamar la inmed·ata devol ucion de las peJiculas ya entregadas cqn e] abono del precio integro y total de todo e1 Jote aqui contratado como si este contrato se hubiera cumplimentado hast. ~ su termjno. NOVENA: Este contrato puede ser alterado 0 modificado Unicamente por escrito con la conformjdad de ambas partes. DECIMA: Ambas partes contratant es declaran que os abajo firmantes ostentan su representacjon respectjva de plena derecho. DECIMA PRIMERA: A todos los efectos legales, las partes contratant es fijan sus domicilj,os lel2:ales en las direcciones citadas al frente, fijandose los tribunales ordinarios de San Juan, Puerto Rico para cualQuier controversia.

Leido p~r ambas partes el presente contrato, 10 Que se detalla al frente y las once (11) clausulas impresas al dorso, todo parte integrante del mismo, 10 hal Ian a su entera saUsfaccion, firmandol o en prueba de ell0 ~n dos (2)copias de un mismo tenor a un solo efecto, e1 6 de febrero d~ 1991 .

DIOS LOS CRIA, INC. BORICUAS INQUILINOS EN ACCION BL~NCA E. MORALES EILEEN COLLINS DIOS LOS CRIA, INC.

Apartado 1276 Correo General Sa~l Juan, P.R. 00936-1276 Tel. (809) 758-9916

~t·rn~d...JL ~~ iS

r -º--r:~ ~. Q. . ~ jÁ-Q. cU- ~ Á.o ~ ~ UVYY)~olR.ct ~ D~ . ./~ r Cl--~~~~~r~ ~r ·~ · ~~·j)~~

~~ .. - LO QUE LE PASO A SANTIAGO

(Synopsis)

Santiago ROd.ríguez has been an aeeountant for 40 years. He was a simple, good man, overwhelmed by widowhood, his ehj.ldren' s eonfliets, and the insecurities and material i.sm that prevail in his country.

His solitude crisis deepened when at the age of 65 he was discarded by the company he had worked for sinee his youth.

In one of his nosta.1gic wa lks, he meets Anp:e] ina in a park, a woman muen younger than him, with a distingutshed and enigmatie aspecto They establish a re]ationship that begins to renew in Santiago an eagerness for life. Hewever, Angelina was hesitant to talk about her pasto

Santiago turned te an investigator to uncover the reason fol" her silenee. The result of this investiga.tion shoeked Santiago and forced him to make a very difficult decision.

The story, basieal1y realistie, contains elements of humor and eharaeters that belong in the realms of fant.asy. LO QUE LE PASO A SANTIAGO FICHA TB:NICA

Título original: Lo que Je pasó a 'Santiago Comedia dramática rodada en 35mn Nacionalidad: Puerto Rico Categoría: Largometraje (ficción) Forma.t de pe1 ícula : 1.66

Duración: 1: 45

Protagonistas: Tommy Mu~iz, Gladys ROdríguez, Johanna Rosaly. Con la participación de Clari.bel Medina. Actuación especial de Jacobo Morales. Guión: Jacobo Morales Dirección: Jacobo Morales Producción: Dios los Cría., Tnc. V Producciones Pedro Mufti.z Productor: Pedro Mufiiz Direcci.ón de fotografía: Agust.ín Cubano Ambi.entación: Bonita Huffman Edición: Alfonso Borrel Música: Pedro Rí vera. Toledo Sonido: Antonio Betancourt Vestuario: Gloria sáez Asist ente dirección: Arnós Rosario Conti.nuista: Juan Esteban Suárez Maqui.llajes y peinados: Mi.gdalia Correa y 8011. Mufiiz

Filmada en Puerto Rico por técnl.cos puertorrique~os.

"LO QUE LE PASO A SANTIAGO"

Hace mas de tres anos desde que Jacobo Morales comenzo

la trayectoria de "Lo que Ie paso a Santiago", miles de horas de trabajo, mas de medio millon de dolares inver­ tidos, cientos de personas comprometidas y muchas noches despues es que "Lo que Ie Paso a Santiago" llega a su feliz conclusion.

La mas reciente pelicula de Jacobo Morales, "Lo que

Ie paso a Santiago", es el resultado de un esfuerzo conjunto de parte de los componentes de la industria del cine puerto­ rriqueno, los realizadores, el talento, los tecnicos, el personal de produccion y nuestros auspiciadores, patrocina­ dores y otros colaboradores, sin cuyo apoyo y aportacion economica, este esfuerzo hubiera sido en vano.

Don Tommy Muniz, Gladys Rodriguez, Johanna Rosaly,

Rene Monclova, Claribel Medina, Roberto Vigoreaux, Pedro

Javier Muniz, Jaime Bello, Luz Minerva Rodriguez, y Jacobo

Morales, componen la parte principal del talento de esta pelicula; pero no son menos importante los cientos de extras que espontaneamente nos ofrecieron su colaboracion. "LO QUE LE PASO A SANTIAGO" Pagina 2

La direccion fotografica de la mas alta calidad estuvo a cargo de Agustin Cubano; el sonido fue responsabilidad de Antonio Betancourt; vestuario de Gloria Saez, ambienta- cion de Bonnie Huffman; continuidad de Juan Esteban Suarez; la asistencia de la direccion de Amos Rosario; el jefe de unidad 10 fue Vicente Juarbe, y la edicion estuvo a cargo de Alfonso Borrell.

Jacobo Morales escribio, dirigio y co-produjo esta pelicula, ademas de tener una destacada participacion como actor. La produccion en el campo se Ie debe a Blanca Sylvia

Ero, quien ademas realize innumerables labores. Pedro Muniz, ademas de productor, tuvo a su cargo la produccion ejecutiva y finalmente la distribucion y mercadeo de la pelicula.

Javier Morales, Tommy Muniz, Taleski Studios y Jose Orraca, fungieron como co-productores asociados, aportando su esfuerzo economicamente, 0 como en el caso de Taleski Studios, al brindar su apoyo de Ilene en la produccion y con su equipo tecnico.

"Lo que Ie paso a Santiago" es en buena medida producto

, de la confianza y el interes que un grupo de patrocinadores puso en ella: Triple SSS, Pollos Picu, 7 Up, Arroz Valencia,

Cafe Yaucono, el Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena, la

Administracion de Fomento, el Banco de Desarrollo, y Super

Siete, entre otros. De una forma u otra, estas entidades aportaron economicamene, en recursos 0 con su apoyo en un gesto loable en pro del cine puertorriqueno. "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" PRODUCTION INFORMATION

"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" · ("Lo que Ie pas6 a santiago"),

Academy Awa~d-nominee for .1989's Best Foreign Language Film, stars popular Puerto Rican TV actor Tommy · Muniz in a · funny, touching, life-affirming tale of a retired accountant who suddenly finds himself in the midst of a romantic adventure. The movie co-stars

Gladys Rodr~guez, Johanna Rosaly, Rene Monclova, Pedro Javier Muniz, Jacobo Morales, Claribel Medina, and Roberto Vigoreaux.

written and directed by Puerto Rican Jacobo Morales (who also appears in the film) and produced by Pedro Muniz, "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" pulled together Puerto Rico's nascent film-making community to produce the island's most successful production to date. And, in a place where mainstream films almost always dominate the local market, the critical and commercial success of

"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" has surprised everyone.

"I never doubted that people would like the film," says

Morales, "but something even more significant has happened here.

In the first few weekends the film was. in theatres, it grossed more than the films from North America. The box office receipts are wonderful," he continues, "but ·what is even more important is that we've broken the myth that Puerto Ricans won't go see their own

••• /more 2 /"WHAT .HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" films." Adds Morales, · "It is a very Puerto Rican movie about a widower in his mid-sixties who is forced to retire, and who feels useless and discarded. However, the theme is very timely and very universal." "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" follows the title character as he adjusts to an "unstructured" · life alone after 40 years as a precise, dutiful accountant. Haunted by the loss of his beloved wife, and ' troubled by his daug.hter' s divorce and his son's emotional handicap, Santiago seeks solace in his daily strolls around the plazas and parks of Old San Juan. It is here he has a chance encounter with Angelina, an elusive, captivating beauty 20 years his junior. A relationship soon develops between them, renewing Santiago's zest for life. But, despite their intimacy together, Angelina is reluctant . to share her past with Santiago. She insists their meetings be dictated by chance, and refuses to reveal her phone number or her last name. When Angelina's mysterious ways become too much for the lovestruck Santiago, he hires a detective to learn h~r tirie identity. The investigation reveals some sho~king truths about the woman, but in the end, Santiago. decides to follow his heart and continue his romance with Angelina. For Pedro Muniz, the film "works on all different levels - suspense is interwoven with . romantic comedy, realism intersects with the fantastical, and time is transcended through a series of ••• /more 3 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" flashbacks that reveal Santiago's early life." But, most importantly, Muniz see "SANTIAGO" as an oppotunity to' help change the "sterotypical image" of Puerto Rican characters in film. He feels Puerto Ricans have i~erited an "indentity crisis" in the media and that "this is the first chance the world will have to see the Puerto Ricans as we really are - with problems and aspirations, and in day-to-day situations like everyone else." Jacobo Morales began developing the role of Santiago three years ago when he first directed Tommy Muniz, in a Puerto Rican stage production of Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys." Inspired by Muniz's performance as the cantankerous Willie, Morales created a similar character in Santiago, a retired accountant whose alienation and family problems threaten to crush his spirit. santiago is grumpy, lonesome, stubborn, and ins~cure, but with a great reserve of warmth, sensitivity and kindness. "That was the hook," says Morales. "The story focuses on the character - a depressed man who, o~e supposes, has enough financial reserves to live comfortably for the rest of his life but is missing the fundamental desire to live. When he has a casual encounter with an attractive woman in a park, well, that's where the story begins." Morales has spent over 20 years on the Puerto Rican arts scene working as a poet, playwright, screenwriter, actor, dramaturge, and director. A popular TV personality in his own right, Morales's directing career was prefaced by brief acting stints in such ••. /more 4 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO"

mainstream Hollywood films as Woody Allen's "Bananas" and "Up the Sandbox," with Barbra streisand. ? Morales has directed and acted in over 30 plays, including works by Chekov and Miller, as well as many of his own.

, Inevitably, his work in the theatre led to movies a~d, in 1980, he wrote and directed his first film, the acclaimed, award-winning "Dios los crla." It was hailed as a, "different" Puerto Rican film,

due in part to its omnibus fo~at ~ one that comprised several episodes. -The landmark movie also differed from other local productions by neither adhering to the rural themes of many previous films nor following the trend of the '60s and '70s toward pictures starring popular TV characters or dealing with notorious delinquents. "Dios los cr1a" ,offered a critical and satirical look at the "new" Puerto Rico: urban, ' we'll-to-do and with the values and conventions of a growing middle class. In 1985, Morales cO,mpleted his second feature film, "Nicolas Y los demas," a romantic triangle involving two old friends and the

, " woman they ,both love. The film earned Morales a "Best Actor" award in the Cartagena Film Festival.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" is Morale~'s biggest project to date and his first picture shot in 35nun. He found the Puerto Rican government more cooperative than with previous projects throughout the 51 day shoot. "The government's principal objective should be the development of the Puerto Rican film industry itself," Morales

says, "not just making Puerto Rico an attractive place to film~" . .•• /more 5 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO"

Morales also ,acts in the film, playing the small, but pivotal part of Aristides Esquilin, the private investigator who uncovers the startling truth about the enigmatic Angelina. "I see my triple roles (as writer/director/ actor) all as one piece," explains Morales. And, though he "loves to act," the film-maker says he never writes himself into his movies arbitrarily: "The script is the most important element, and that t 'akes precedence over an acting part for me." Known a"s an "actor's director," Morales is pleased with his actors. "The performances are most 'salient," he says. "Unlike other countries, there is a great interflow of actors in Puerto Rico between theatre, film, and television. This has been my greatest resource. The medium doesn't matter to me - just the dramatic possibilities."

" Morales currently divides his time between writing, directing, and acting in two Puerto Rican TV series: the satirical "Los Rayos Gamma" and the dramatic "Todo el ano es Navidad." Producer Pedro Jose Muniz, the son of "SANTIAGO" star Tommy Muniz, is a former TV executive who went on to become one of Puerto Rico's leading film and television producers. Muniz, who also doubled as its production manager, brought "WHAT HAPPENED TO

SANTIAGO" in for a remarkable $480,000. "It's not the money you spend," says Muniz, "but how you spend it. " To that end, the producer managed to hire the best local technicians available, many of whom worked on award-winning TV ••• /more 6 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" commercials. Presently Muniz produces several annual specials for Puerto Rican television in addition to his roie as actor and producer of the popular Puerto Rican sitcom "Maripili." contributing to "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" are cinematographer Agustin Cubano~ . who brilliantly captures the charm of both old San Juan and the natural splendor of the Puerto Rican countryside; costumer Gloria· Saez; art director Bonita Huffman; editor Alfonso Borrelli and composer Pedro Rivera Toledo, whose tender musical score ideally supports the film's romantic, often surreal structure. "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" had its World Premiere in October, 1989 in Wasl'lington D.C. as part of the "American Film Festival" at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to its Academy Award nomination (the first one ever for Puerto Rico), the film has been included in two other international competitions, including the Havana Film Festival. Pedro Muniz and Jacobo Morales present "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO," directed by Jacobo Morales from his original screenplay,. the film was produced by Pedro Muniz. The film stars Tommy Muniz, Gladys Rodriguez, Johanna Rosaly, Rene Monclova, Pedro Javier Muniz, Jacobo Morales, Claribel Medina, and Roberto Vigoreaux. The cinematographer was Agustin Cubano.

* * * .••• /more 7 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO"

ABOUT THE CAST

Though TOMMY MUNIZ has been' a vital part of Puerto Rico's artistic community for the last 50 years, his title role in "WHAT HAPPENED TO ,SANTIAGO" is, ironically, his first part in a major film. Persuaded by his son, "SANTIAGO" producer Pedro Muniz, and his lifelong friend, writer/director Jacobo Morales, Tommy Muniz agreed to star as the grouchy but good-hearted widower, Santiago, in this Oscar-nominated film. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on February 4, 1922, Tommy Muniz began his show business career at age 21 when he joined a civilian vaudeville troupe that performed at Armed Forces training camps throughout the Caribbean and Central American during World War II. His marriage to Luzie Garcia de la Noceda in 1944 eventually spawned nine children and 18 grandchildren. "The growing family made me look into writing and producing radio comedies," says Muniz. He eventually wrote, produced, and acted in "La Familia Perez" and "Torito and ' Company," which became the two radio comedies of Puerto Rico's pre-tefevision years. At the same time, Muniz also created and performed in various vaudeville shows that toured Puerto Rico, bringing live entertainment to secluded towns, every week for ten years. In 1954, with' the advent of television in Puerto Rico, Muniz was one of the first radio personalities to independently produce for the local TV stations. While other popular stars were bound ••• /more

" 8 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" to station contracts, Tommy Muniz Productions was able to corner an array of promis~ng young comedians. who became the core of the production company's impressive talent roster. A list of Muniz-produced TV hits would be like a trip through Puerto Rican television history. There were times that seven out of ten shows on the air were presented by the Muniz organization. In late 1978, the owners of the station where Muniz had been producing for 20 years, decided to terminate their long-standing agreement with the production company in an attempt to make him produce directly for their station. In response, Muniz bought San Juan's economically-troubled Channel 7 and renamed it Tele-Luz in honor of his wife. It became the only natively-owned TV station at the time, and after five years of constant harassing by the ruling party, Muniz sold 80% of the station to a nationally-owned network.

He then starred in a Spanis~ version of Neil Simon's "The Sunshine Boys," with his friend and producing rival Paquito Codero. The event marked Muniz's stage debut as well as the first time in over 30 years that he and Cordero had acted together. Jacobo Morales, who directed this production, was so inspired by Muniz's performance in "The Sunshine Boys," that he decided to write "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO" expre$sly for him. Muniz is currently acting- in two new shows for Puerto Rican television, "Carcajadas y Algo Mas" and "El Papa de mi Papa," both produced ~y another of his sons, Rafael Muniz. • •. /more 9 /"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO"

A local institution, Tommy Muñiz has been called "the Puerto Rican Bob Hope." -He is now certain to gain international acclaim for his starring role in "WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO." .* * .. * " The seductive and enigmatic Angelina is portrayed by GLADYS RODRIGUEZ, a leading lady in Puerto Rican soap operas for over 25 years. She has appeared in such highly rated novelas as "Amor a

Prueba, " "'Renzo el Gitano, 11 "Marta Lloréns, " "El Collar de

Lágrimas," and "La Isla.~' On the Puerto Rican stage she has been seen in countless productions, including "SANTIAGO" writer/director Jacobo Morales' "Una Campana en la Niebla" and "Aquella, La otra, éste y aquel"¡ Neil Simon's "The Owl and the Pussycat," "The Odd Couple"and "Same Time Next Year"¡ Agatha Christie's "Death on the Nile"¡ Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire"¡ Frederico Garcla Lorca' s "Los Tlteres de Cachiporra" ¡ René Marqués' "Los Soles Truncos" and Noel Coward' s "Fallen Angels" and "Private Lives." More recently, Rodriguez performed in a Spanish stage version of "Steel Magnolias." * * * JOHANNA ROSALY plays Santiago's volatile, self-absorbed daughter Nereida. Acting since age nine, Rosaly has enjoyed a varied C?lreer in Puerto Rican TV soap operas, as a TV journalist and game show hostess, and as a CBS Records recording artist. She hasalso acted in many stage productions including Spanish versions of "The Glass Menagerie," "The Tempest," and "The Odd Couple," as

well as works by Frederico Garcla Lorca ("~a Zapatera Prodigiosa") , 10/"WHAT HAPPENED TO SANTIAGO II

Rene Marques (liLa Carreta:" and "Los Soles Truncos"), and Ana Diosada ("0Ivida Los Tambores"). , She is currently on stage in the spanish version of the "Uctete Bridge Club." * * * RENE MONCLOVA portrays Eddie, Santiago's emotionally handicapped son. Born into a family of actors, Rene Monclova made his first dramatic appearance at the age of one, in a public television 'presentation of "stories by Chekov." He continued to work in pub~ic television and in , the 1960's became a well known soap opera star. His most recent television appearance was in "A Flower of Skin," a movie made for Puerto Rican television on domestic violence. His theatrical career was launched in 1970 with a production of "Sacrificio en el Monte MoriA" by Rene Marques. Among his other theater credits are Marques' "Un nino azul para esa sombra"; Samuel Beckett's "Wai ting For Godot"; Dario F6' s "We Can't Pay, We Won't Pay"; Jean Genet's "Severe Vigilance"; Oscar Wilde's

"Salome"; Pablo Cabrera's "La verdadera historia de Pedro Navajall and Alexandro Jodorowski' s "EI juego que todos jugamos." currently he is filming Sydney Pollack's "Havana" in the Dominican Republic while also appearing regularly in the Puerto Rican television comedy "EI papA de mi papA."