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Jimmy Smits, Rosie Perez, Sixto Ramos, Carmen Serrano, Chema Soto ... see more see more... , Bobbito Garcia

Actress Rosie Perez makes her directorial debut with this documentary about her heritage, Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas! (I'm Puerto Rican, Just So You Know!), which she co-directed with acclaime... read more read more...d documentarian Liz Garbus (The Farm: Angola, USA). Starting with the focal point of New York City's famed Puerto Rican Day Parade, Perez examines her culture, both from a deeply personal perspective, interviewing her sister and cousin about their sense of pride in their background and exploring the journey of her own family from the island to New York City, and from a broader perspective, looking at the island's rich, neglected history. The film explains how Spanish conquistadors nearly wiped out the island's indigenous population, and made Spanish the official language and Catholicism the official religion. The U.S. eventually took over the island during the Spanish-American War, making it a commonwealth, in which residents pay taxes and can serve in the military, but can't vote in national elections. The U.S. prized the island for its sugar plantations and its strategic proximity to the Panama Canal, but a vast percentage of its residents live in poverty to this day. The documentary takes an honest look at how residents of the island were used as guinea pigs by pharmaceutical companies, at how the U.S. government utilized forced sterilization in an effort to control the island's population, and at the bloody struggle for independence led by Pedro Albiza Campos. Operation Bootstrap, a government program to move islanders to the mainland, is also explored. Perez also celebrates the Puerto Rican poets, artists, and musicians that have impacted American culture, along with the island's unique influence on our language. The film had its New York premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi

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71% liked it

721 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 26 min.

Directed by: Liz Garbus, Rosie Perez

Release Date: January 1, 2006

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DVD Release Date: June 13, 2006

Stats: 45 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (45)

  • 75michelle75
    November 7, 2007
    75michelle75
    I learned stuff, and I'm pro learning. It was a decent documentary about Puerto Rico and its people in the US, specifically NYC. Rosie Perez doesn't have that voice she used to have. What's that about?
  • paradox101
    August 17, 2007
    paradox101
    Provides good insight into the history that no one ever hears about when it comes to this commonwealth left in perpetual limbo since the spanish american war
  • tauro5484
    August 7, 2007
    tauro5484
    An interesting and personal look at the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. After seeing this documentary I'm completely in love with Rosie Perez LOL
  • bsjr1
    July 3, 2007
    bsjr1
    Very infomative for those that ARE Puerto Rican and do not understand much about Perto Rico's existence as a "commonwealth"..
  • soquend78
    June 13, 2007
    soquend78
    I loved this documentary about Boriquas.....I learned a lot about my heritage....please see it if you haven't yet!
  • solyante
    April 8, 2007
    solyante
    Rosie Pérez nos da una perspectiva del orgullo boricua desde sus experiencias creciendo en Nueva York y desde una visual histórica. Para que entiendan porqué la parada puertorriqueña en Nueva York es un evento monumental!

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Critic Reviews

Felix Vasquez Jr.
July 10, 2007
Felix Vasquez Jr., Film Threat

Has its heart in the right place and Rosie Perez is proud of her culture through the hardships and advantages... Full Review

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