June 6, 2009 — St. Croix filmmaker Johanna Bermudez-Ruiz's documentary "Sugar Pathways" will reach an audience in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
Residents of St. Croix were able to see the documentary at a gala premier held at Government House in Christiansted in March.
“The historic perspective Bermudez-Ruiz put together in the documentary was right on target,” said Holland Redfield, former V.I. senator who attended that screening. “She captured three major areas — social, political and economic influences and what the migration meant to the V.I. showing the major impact Hispanics have made on this community,” he added, “I am happy she has accomplished this for the Virgin Islands.”
Bermudez-Ruiz, who was born on St. Croix, is a descendant of the families who migrated to St. Croix.
Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen will host the screening at the Capitol Visitor Center South Orientation Theatre from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Christensen said in a press release, “I am proud to present the work of a young Crucian, who at the beginning of her career as a filmmaker, has already produced works of note that are helping to illuminate our history and our culture for ourselves and for the entire country.”
The release also noted that Bermudez-Ruiz as a filmmaker has told the story of survival, integration and contributions to the political, economic and social fabric of the modern Virgin Islands.
Bermudez-Ruiz has received recognition for her work as the winner of MAAFA Film Festival Best Short Documentary, San Juan Film Festival Hummingbird Best Short Documentary and the ImageNation Special Award. She is the executive director and owner of Cane Bay Films, LLC which is dedicated to the preservation of the stories of ordinary citizens.
The screening of "Sugar Pathways" will celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month in conjunction with the DC Caribbean Film Festival. “I have invited my colleagues on Capitol Hill and their staff to come and view the film in support of Bermudez-Ruiz and as a way for them to understand a little bit more about our territory,” Congresswoman Christensen said.
Hosting the event along with Christensen are her colleagues Congressional Black Caucus Chair Barbara Lee, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nydia Velasquez and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi.
For more information about the film, which tells the story of the migration of Puerto Rican families from the island of Vieques to St. Croix, contact Shelley Thomas in Delegate Christensen’s office at 202-225-1790.
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