When Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico in 2017 the devastation the storm caused was well-documented, but what was less publicized was the 72-billion-dollar debt crisis crippling Puerto Rico that precipitated María. Landfall, the latest film from acclaimed director Cecilia Aldarondo, examines these two storms -- one environmental, the other economic -- juxtaposing competing visions for recovery.
Through shard-like glimpses of everyday life in post-María Puerto Rico, Aldarondo's film explores the resilience of different people and communities all of whom are eager to rebuild. An important and timely investigation into the related issues of environmental and economic catastrophes, Landfall is a cautionary tale for our contemporary age. Landfall broadcasts Monday July 12th at 10pm on PBS (check local listings) and streaming at pov.org.
Events & panels featuring the filmmakers in conversation with artists, scholars and activists
At the 2020 DOC NYC Film Festival, renowned journalist and disaster capitalism expert Naomi Klein joined LANDFALL director Cecilia Aldarondo for a conversation about the film.
The Landfall film team completed the first half of their outdoor screening tour in Puerto Rico. Partnering with local grassroots community organizations, each screening has had its own flavor with things like basket weaving workshops, discussions about recovery efforts and incredible food! See full list of screenings here.
In The News
Select press coverage, interviews and related stories
"Landfall, like a great many documentaries, is necessitated by the abdication of crisis-happy, short-attention-span network and cable news" - review in KQED
Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, Reva & David Logan Foundation, Open Society Foundations and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding comes from Nancy Blachman and David desJardins, Bertha Foundation, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Charitable Trust, Park Foundation, Sage Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, Chris and Nancy Plaut, Abby Pucker, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee and public television viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG.
