The only film from Puerto Rico in the lineup at this year’s CIFF (Chicago International Film Festival) is “This Island” (“Esta Isla”), a beautifully shot and confidently made modern-day tale that marks the feature-length debut of directors Lorraine Jones Molina and Cristian Carretero. Both filmmakers are from Puerto Rico, and their film clearly demonstrates a love and appreciation for their homeland, showcasing its current life, rich culture, and lush locations. With a background in shorts and documentaries, they bring an observant and intuitive approach, paying homage to a diverse range of genres while artfully presenting an environment they are familiar with.
The directors co-wrote the screenplay with Kisha Tikina Burgos, combining the coming-of-age tale with a timeless “lovers on the run” story. The two young lovers are Lola (Fabiola Brown) and Bebo (Zion Ortiz), each of whom comes from a different socioeconomic background on the western coast of Puerto Rico. Lola may come from a place of privilege, but her wealthy family is far from perfect. Bebo lives with his older brother, Charlie (Xavier Antonio Morales), in a public housing area, where they often check in on their abuela. Charlie has become involved in some local drug dealings since his usual fishing trips have not been generating the kind of money needed to make ends meet.
When a deal goes awry, Bebo and Lola find themselves fleeing into the mountains to escape a dire situation, which turns into an unexpected journey into the island’s past. They are taken in by Caro (Teofilo Torres), a sage-like figure who lives in the jungle, offering the two lovers refuge and putting them to work on the farmland he oversees. Bebo and Lola can regroup and reaccess their relationship and their place in life, as they each share family histories and are exposed to a rural community deeply rooted in Taino traditions. As they explore the land, from the shoreline to the caves, the couple must determine whether or not they have a future together as dangerous pursuers loom nearby.
What is entwined throughout “This Island” is a portrayal of the proud people of Puerto Rico as resilient and resourceful, no matter what comes their way. The story may have some predictable beats, but how it goes about telling the story is often compelling and poetic. The actors, many of them first-timers, come across as raw and natural. In particular, Brown, in her feature debut, is a standout as Lola. She’s quite convincing in her role and has a commanding screen presence.
“This Island” premiered earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival where it won Best Cinematography (Cedric Cheung-Lau) and Best New Narrative Director. With its stop at CIFF, it continues its festival circuit tour, and hopefully, it gets picked up so a wider audience can see it.
RATING: ***
You can catch “This Island” tonight at 8:45 pm, followed by a discussion with director Lorraine Jones Molina, assistant cameraman Edwards A. Martinez, and actress Fabiola Brown
