Program Notes
As the grandson of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, I was often surrounded by iconically Dominican images that shaped my conceptions of what it means to call myself Dominican. While I may be decades removed from my grandparents immigration to the United States, there are aspects of my life that are inextricably tied to the values and experiences of the country. In the same way that I interrogate and question my identity as a Dominican, this program is meant to present images that are new to the viewer and thus get them to reconsider their own conceptions of what it means to be Dominican.
This is Dominican presents a variety of moving images ranging from silent archival film to short videos taken from social media that promote the viewer to ruminate on the ideas that they associate with Dominican culture. The digital landscape actively aids in our perception of individuals around the world. How does the viewer’s perception of being Dominican change when they are witness to a video clip from a video game where someone is roleplaying as a Dominican? When the viewer is a witness to televised objectification and misogyny in the form of a game show once popular in Dominican households, what do they have to say about the Dominican experience?
While the focus of this program is to interrogate the audience’s preconceived notions of what it may mean to be Dominican depending on their own life experiences, I hope to present images that introduce nuance to the phrase “this is Dominican.” The moving images I have included are experimental in nature given that they are not considered films per say but serve the purpose of presenting new images that are inextricably Dominican.
Home movie: 098169: 1960s Dominican Republic places, people and events
Prelinger Archives, 2020, Dominican Republic, 8m 14s
Home Movie: 098169: 1960s Dominican Republic Places, People, and Events is a compilation of various archived footage depicting the Dominican Republic during the 1960s. The film depicts the Dominican landscape, a military ceremony of sorts, a man playing tennis, and ordinary life generally speaking. Effectively a silent film given the lack of audio corresponding to the captured footage, the audience is left to take in the visuals of an era more than 50 years in the past.
Dominican Car Wreck
Skysabove, 2020, United States, 18s
This TikTok from user Skysabove depicts a player character in the video game Grand Theft Auto V driving speedly down a street before crashing into the back of a car with music blaring from the speakers. A player character role playing as a Dominican emerges from the vehicle obviously upset with the situation and proceeds to chase the other player down the street.
Las Colitas de Sabado Gigante
Santamoris, 2012, United States, 9m 27s
Las Colitas de Sabado Gigante is a clip uploaded to youtube by user Santamoris from the infamous game show Sabado Gigante. Sabado Gigante is well known in Dominican households as well as Spanish speaking households more generally. The game show is known for audience interaction as host Don Francisco often steps off the stage and into the audience to ask them their thoughts. In this clip, Don Francisco, as well as members of the game show’s audience, witness a competition between women in bikinis who showcase themselves in different ways. It is up to the audience members to judge the performances of these women and comment on how well they satisfy the criteria for being named Miss Colita.
Dominican Firefighters in Los Santos
Skysabove, 2020, United States, 21s
In this TikTok from user Skysabove a player character from the video game Grand Theft Auto V comes upon a massive car crash on the highway. Cars are engulfed in flames and exploding around the player when a fire truck arrives playing loud music with Spanish lyrics. A player character roleplaying as a Dominican exits the truck and exclaims the job is too great before getting back in the firetruck and driving off.
Dominican Republic 2006
Michael Wright, 2006, Dominican Republic, 3m 4s
In Dominica Republic 2006 the audience is a witness to missionary efforts providing aid to Dominican children in the form of building a group home. Photos and videos of the building process and service to the community appear on screen while a Spanish song plays. The song makes it clear that being there for someone is all that one should care about while scripture from the bible flashes between stills and moving images.
Dominican Ambulance Saves Dirt Biker
Skysabove, 2020, United States, 35s
In this TikTok from user Skysabove two player characters in the virtual video game world of Grand Theft Auto V can be seen driving dirt bikes up a mountain. One of the players crashes and is in need of medical help but the lack of cellular reception is an issue. To their surprise a medical helicopter playing loud music with a Spanish speaking pilot roleplaying as a Dominican comes to their aid.
Herencia
Jose Perdomo III, 2020, United States, 18m 33s
Herencia tells the story of a man who is granted his inheritance after expressing his desire to separate himself from his parents. After receiving this inheritance, the man experiences a period of prosperity where money is merely an object at the mercy of his decisions. His short lived monetary privilege is followed by a period of turmoil raising the question of what it means to endure hardship. Jose Perdomo III employs a fictional plot driven narrative to create a Dominican contribution to the well known trope of drama films dealing with the accumulation and loss of wealth.
Questions for the Filmmakers
Prelinger Archives, “Home movie: 098169: 1960s Dominican Republic places, people and events”
- This film depicts the Dominican Republic following the end of Trujillo’s regime in 1961. How does this series of moving images, including their subjects and environment, compare to depictions of the Dominican Republic today?
- How do these depictions of people living ordinary lives contribute to or detract from the inescapable opaqueness of being from the Dominican Republic?
Santamoris, “Las Colitas de Sabado Gigante”
- Given that Sabado Gigante has since been removed from airing, what impact do you think this clip has on people who found the show to be offensive towards women and ableist in other capacities? In a similar vein, what do the comments below the video say about people who still enjoy the show and the objectification of women?
- As someone who assumedly enjoyed the show while it was on air, would there still be a way to enjoy the comedy of Sabado Gigante without the inclusion of the female body as something to be judged by the male gaze?
Michael Wright, “Dominican Republic 2006”
- While the purpose of this video is to showcase the achievement of building a home for those without one, do you think this video is performative in any way? Have you gone on to participate in anything that would promote true change in the Dominican Republic and prevent children from winding up homeless in the first place?
- Is this film harmful in the way that the Dominican Republic is portrayed as a nation that needs saving? Do you see the potential for your film to encourage more white Americans to travel to the DR and engage in paternalist activities?
Jose Perdomo III, “Herencia”
- Given that this film is directed by a Dominican, how does it contribute to the trope of cishet men pursuing monetary desires while also breaking down the canon?
- Is this film reductionary in the way that Dominicanness is reflected by an entirely white cast? What larger trends does this film speak to as far as representation of the Dominican community is concerned?
Skysabove, selected TikToks
- What makes these tik toks “Dominican?” Which characteristics are these virtual characters taking on in order to be unquestionably “Dominican” and what perceptions about Dominican people as a whole are revealed by said depictions?
- While this is a short video meant to be comedic, are there any dangers to presenting these generalizations in such a manner? Is there a chance that others, protected by the anonymity of virtual spaces in video games, will use these stereotypes to play Dominican?