1950, La Insurrección Nacionalista

This cinematographic PIECE OF ART was written, directed and produced by José Manuel Dávila Marichal. It’s an incredible documentary that tells the story of the 1950’s revolutionary movements of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party lead by Pedro Albizu Campos. This is honestly the best movie I’ve seen all year and I exhort everyone to watch it. The movie doesn’t even have actors, it’s all retold via people that where part of the Nationalist Party. Those who participated in the film where mostly imprisoned during the revolt various years and most of them missed important events in their lives because of the consequences that being part of the Nationalist Party had. They were all Puerto Ricans who were willing to give their life for Puerto Rico’s freedom.

The film explains very clearly the Island’s history and its relationship with the United States throughout the years, from beginning until today. It also gives light on subjects that history books don’t inform people about. For example, people think these were just battles; nonetheless, these fights were between the poor and the government’s military. The people who where organizing these revolts were from outside the metropolitan area and didn’t even have the money to have proper fire arms or weapons. One of those who were interviewed emphasized on the fact that the government was told that there where 600 nationalists waiting for them in Jayuya and organizing a huge revolt. He laughed and said, “We were 32 nationalists.” His interview impacted me the most because he said that when the government finally arrived to Jayuya equipped and prepared to face 600 men. He only had four bullets, two which he fired and missed, and the other two he didn’t even use because they surrendered before he could even attack properly. Therefor, in his point of view he didn’t participate in the revolt nor killed anyone. Nevertheless, he was imprisoned suffered during an individual cell without being able to speak to anyone for more than 10 years.

Do your nationalist ancestors a favor, even better do your patria a favor and watch this movie. It’s not only informative on the Island’s history, but it also gives an inside scoop of it with great photos and memoirs. For those with a sensitive stomach for strong scenes or for those who are very sensitive when it comes to violence presented in cinematography don’t worry about it because this movie is very subtle and soft with its narration and plot.