This past Thursday, the Presencias program kicked off its fifth season with a showing of La Llamarada, a fascinating movie based on the book of the same title by Enrique Laguerre. From the moment I stepped into the Figueroa Chapel amphitheater, the room was abuzz with people, young and old, who were eager to watch the film. As a first time attendee, I must say that I was surprised by the artsy atmosphere, since most shows I’m used to attending are either parodies or shows of a light-hearted nature. It definitely added a little something special to my viewing experience.
Before the event, I had never even heard of La Llamarada, but after seeing the movie, I can honestly say it made me feel not only interest in the original work, but also see parallels between that world and our own. The story of Juan Antonio Borras, the protagonist, and his struggle between his duty as the overseer of a plantation and his desire to help his workers is an emotional one, with a romantic subplot that is certainly relatable to our own love lives;hopeless romantics beware, things get sad real quick in this tale. The most important aspect of the film is the social commentary about what life used be like here in Puerto Rico, and how the injustice and inequality illustrated in the film still occur in our modern world.
While at the event, I managed to meet up with Gloria Ramírez, an elderly woman with a love for the book, and Frank Montes, an Industrial Engineering student who attended the event for one of his electives. Gloria shared that she “loves the book deeply, and remembers having to read it in high school quite fondly. Frank, a third-year student here at UPRM, on the other hand, had just learned about the book and its movie, and explained that “I now see the importance of the book, as it paints a picture of the past quite vividly. Even though I saw it for an elective, it was very enjoyable.”
The event concluded with a forum featuring the actor Braulio Castillo Jr., who plays the film’s second main character, who offered many trivia facts about the production of the film and how the film affected him. He stated that the film was shot in only twelve days, and that even though it may seem like a short filming schedule, they had a smooth time while on set. He went on to say that “the crew behind the scenes are some of the most dedicated, talented individuals I’ve ever worked with, and even some of the tougher scenes went by without a single hitch.” On how he felt after production, he expressed that “the character of Segundo (a worker who causes strikes at Juan Antonio’s plantation) is one that has changed me forever, and I will never forget the feeling of playing such a strong character.”
All in all, the event was a success, and you could tell it was even before it began. If the packed theater wasn’t enough to tip you off, the ferocious wave of applause that hit the theater as the movie ended was certainly an indicator of its success. Hopefully the rest of the season presents this high quality that Presencias’ fans here at UPRM are accustomed to.
Thumbnail image credit: Presencias UPRM