For the 2015 documentary film Cimarrón Spirit, I was part of a filmmaking team that examined syncretic cimarrón (maroon) cultural celebrations in the Dominican Republic.  We traveled to the cimarrón regions of the country, near the cities of Elias Piña and Barahona, to document practices and performances of Dominican Gagá troops and Haitian Rara. We learned from community leaders about the significance of these cultural traditions with African roots still practiced today. The film centers the voices of Dominican and Haitian women, including an interview I conducted with award-winning Afro-Dominican singer-songwriter Xiomara Fortuna.

Cimarrón Spirit was directed by Rubén Durán, with production support from me, Michael Brims, Donna Pinnick , and numerous collaborators in the Dominican Republic.

Learn more about the film at www.loscimarrones.com. Find us on Facebook at Cimarrón Spirit: A New Documentary Film on Afro-Dominican Maroon Culture.

The film is now available to view here on Vimeo.