The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Film by Lorain native nominated for Emmy
Lorain native Raquel M. Ortiz creates art to preserve and celebrate Latinx culture and history.
“Cucarachita Martina’s Musical Adventure,” a short film written by Ortix, was nominated for a New York Emmy in the category of Children/Youth (12 and under) Long Form Content longer than 10 minutes.
Waldo Cabrera directed and animated the production.
It was illustrated by Tere Marichal and produced by the Center for Puerto Rican Studies.
The film is inspired by Pura Belpré’s first picture book, “Pérez and Martina: A Portorican Tale,” originally published in 1932.
Pura Belpre was the first Puerto Rican librarian in New York City.
“I really loved Tribeca because the whole team was together. Everyone was surrounded by their families, and that made it extra special. It was really a dream come true. And now, the Emmy nomination feels surreal.”
— Dr. Raquel M. Ortiz
Literacy matters
Belpre was a champion of increasing access to literature while preserving and sharing stories.
Tribeca
The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year.
“I really loved Tribeca because the whole team was together,” Ortiz said. “Everyone was surrounded by their families, and that made it extra special.
“It was really a dream come true. And now, the Emmy nomination feels surreal.”
Ortiz said the reception of the film was beyond words.
“It’s really great that something that was made during the (coronavirus) pandemic, under really trying circumstances, is now being celebrated,” she said. “It was a project made from a place of love, and you can tell.”
South Lorain contribution
Ortiz said she taped her role of the narrator from the closet of her South Lorain home.
Through this project, she said she aims to preserve historic folktales in an exciting and engaging way.
Ortiz also is the author of six picture books.
Her latest book “Broken Butterfly Wings/Alas de mariposas rotas” will be available next month.
“It’s a story inspired by trips I’ve taken with my daughter and son to the tropical rainforest El Yunque in northeastern Puerto Rico,” Ortiz said.
She will teach Introduction to Puerto Rican Studies at Lorain County Community College in September.