Luis Molina Casanova
Directing
Biography
Luis Molina Casanova (Ciales, Puerto Rico, August 27, 1951) is a Puerto Rican film director, screenwriter and producer. He is one of the most prestigious and award-winning filmmakers on the Caribbean island of recent times, highlighting in his filmography documentaries and films that have investigated the idiosyncrasies, history or literature of Puerto Rico such as La guagua aérea or the Tales of Abelardo. In addition, his academic work, carried out for more than 40 years at the University of the Sacred Heart1, has led him to teach at other universities such as the University of Guadalajara or Harvard University. Luis Molina Casanova was born on August 27, 1965 in the municipality of Ciales, into a family of descent from the Canary Islands. He studied Business Administration at the University of Puerto Rico before entering to work on the television network WIPR-TV (Channel 6) where he began working as a cameraman in different cultural programs of the station. He later travels to the United States and works as a photojournalist for major American networks such as CBS or NBC. He moves to Madrid, where he holds a master's degree in Film Production and Direction. After this training experience, he returns to Puerto Rico and records several documentary projects related to culture. Molina is considered one of the great documentary filmmakers of the country for his work of disseminating countless fragments of the cultural life of the country: the development of the train, the arrival of the telephone or the life of historical characters such as Pedro Albizu Campos, Juan Ramón Jiménez or Luis Muñoz Marín. Subsequently, he becomes part of the staff of the faculty of the University of the Sacred Heart as a resident filmmaker in the Department of Communications, since he has worked to this day. Among other distinctions, he is Citizen of the Year 1999 (Club of Lions of San Juan), Special Recognition for his cinematographic work (Club of the Library of the Higher School of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, 1995) or Medal of the Virgin of Candelaria, patron saint of the Canary Islands, for representing the Islands worldwide (Cabildo de Gran Canaria). He is also President of the Corporation of Cultural Productions from 1978 to the present day.
Known For
A comedy narrating the adventures of ten Puerto Ricans looking for a better life. The film centers on an airplane trip to New York during 1960's. It relates in a comical, yet poignant manner, the array of reasons each of the passengers has for leaving Puerto Rico and the challenges they face as suggested by the interactions of the Anglo crew and the passengers.
A Flight of Hope
This documentary analyzes the life and political legacy of Puerto Rico’s first elected governor, Luis Muñoz Marín, covering his early career in the late 30’s through the 1960’s.
Luis Muñoz Marín: un hombre, un pueblo, un propósito
Through photos of the time and recording of the writer, this documentary tells the story of Juan Ramón Jiménez in the light of his work.
Juan Ramón Jiménez: diario de un poeta
Recreates aspects of the life of Abelardo Díaz Alfaro as a rural teacher in Puerto Rico during 1940's, integrating three of his stories "El josco", "Santa Cló va a la cuchilla", and "Don Fruto Torres".
Cuentos para despertar
A selection of three short stories by Puerto Rican writer Abelardo Díaz Alfaro (“Don Procopio”, “Peyo Mercé enseña inglés”, and “Bagazo”), portraying typical characters of the Puerto Rican social and economic classes in the 1940's.
Cuentos de Abelardo
Through the use of archival film and photo images, this documentary examines the political awakening and journey of nationalist leader Pedro Albizu Campos. The film also captures the volatile political and social atmosphere during the 1930’s and 1940’s which gave rise to Albizu Campos and the nationalist movement in Puerto Rico.
Albizu Vive
Documentary about how the arrival of the railway industry impacted Puerto Rican culture economically, socially, and humanistically during the first half of the 20th century. It includes photos by Jack Delano, among others, and scenarios to reconstruct the experience of what could have been the last trip made by train from San Juan to Ponce in 1953.
One-Way Ticket
Based on the short story from Puerto Rican writer Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, it tells the story of a poor family on the eve of the Christmas celebration of the Three Kings.
La cajita vacía
On the life and work of Beato Carlos Manuel Rodríguez.
Vivimos para esa noche
A film narrative on Puerto Rican playwright and journalist don Cayetano Coll y Toste. Three of his most famous stories are reenacted: "El Santo Cristo de la Salud", "El Espíritu del Carretero", and "La Garita del Diablo".
Leyendas de Puerto Rico
A handful of immigrants make a bittersweet pilgrimage back to the land of their birth in this comedy drama. Ten people who have little in common beyond the fact they were all originally from Puerto Rico and now live in New York, discover they've won a contest giving them each a free, all-expenses paid vacation -- in Puerto Rico. While some are eager to visit the place they once called home, others are nervous about what they will find and wary about confronting the people and things they left behind.
El sueño del regreso
A mad scientist invents a formula to control Puerto Rico. A little pig named Chona drinks water from a pond contaminated with the formula and grows to gigantic proportions, chasing and killing people.
Chona, la puerca asesina
Abelardo Díaz Alfaro visits the places that inspired him to write his book "Terrazzo". His life and work is explored through interviews with friends and colleagues.
Abelardo Díaz Alfaro: Homenaje Póstumo
A compilation of twelve short stories from one of Puerto Rico's most prolific writers, Abelardo Díaz Alfaro. These are: "El figurín", "El ejecutivo", "El muerto encogío", "La historia de la polilla", "Julia Rosa", "El funerario", "La mujer y su poder de dominio", "La locura del Rock & Roll", "Las píldoras juvenilinas", "Una estatua al ñame", "El bautizo de la leche", and "Una suegra lista".
Estampas de Teyo Gracia
Presents an historical sweep of the impact of hurricanes on Puerto Rico.
Allá viene el temporal
Traces the economic history of Puerto Rico in the sugar plantations, and the closing of the last one in 1990.
Zafra: la historia de la industria azucarera en Puerto Rico
Shows how underground water has carried out the caves, their features, extension, entrances, and more. On exploration visit of the caves of the Sistema de Cuevas del Río Camuy, Camuy, Puerto Rico.
Cuevas, cavernas y un parque
History of the development of the sports in Puerto Rico and its insertion in the idiosyncrasies of our people.