A new documentary "Boston's Latin Quarter," which takes a close look at the Hyde and Jackson Squares neighborhoods, is debuting in Jamaica Plain on August 12.
Colombian filmmaker Monica Cohen, a Jamaica Plain resident, spent much of the last year producing and directing the 30-minute, bilingual documentary. The film looks closely at how the Hyde-Jackson Square neighborhood on the border of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury has transformed during the past three decades and recently received the designation of being Boston's Latin Quarter from the Massachusetts Cultural District.
In the documentary, the director examines issues such as the strengths of the immigrant communities, Latinx entrepreneurs, the role of Afro-Latin Arts/Culture, place-keeping, and problems of crime, violence and gentrification.
Following the film, a panel including Cohen; Celina Miranda, Executive Director of Hyde Square Task Force; Damaris Pimental, owner of Ultra Beauty Salon; and Elaine Mondy, a Boston Latin Quarter residents, will discuss the issues raised in the film.
The movie will be screened on Monday, August 12, at 6 pm, at the Connolly Branch Library (433 Centre St.). The event is sponsored by Hyde Square Task Force. Please RSVP to Ken Tangvik at ken@hydesquare.org if you would like to attend the screening.