Viva La PCT

The Pocono Community Theater and Cultural Center (PCT) in East Stroudsburg, PA hosts the 3^rd Annual Latino Heritage Month Film Festival which began on Thursday September 24^th and will continue until Thursday October 15^th. The festival is presented by the East Stroudsburg University of PA's Department of Modern Languages under the auspices of Assistant Professor Annie Mendoza, Ph. D. The variety of films reflecting the Hispanic culture are shown during the course of the festival in two venues which are The Pocono Community Theater and Room 113 located within the campus' Stroud Hall Building.

I was and am unable to view all of the films being presented in the festival, but, if the entirety of the cinematic works are favorably comparable to the film I've experienced, it would be safe to surmise that the screenings are both satisfying and enlightening to those who love the meaningfulness of quality films. The film I did see on Sunday October 4^th was titled, “Gypsy Barcelona” which is a documentary on Flamingo Dancing directed by Eva Vila. The cinematic techniques employed in the film were of a very high quality that made the life evolving narrative of the work much more engaging to the audience. Even though the subtitles translating the Spanish Language into English was inoperable in this screening of the film, one could still relate to the actions and emotions being felt throughout as the images communicated with a universal lexicon that was understood by all who viewed it. This was especially true as the camera showed the reactions of a young girl who aspires to be a flamingo dancer while she was watching professionals perform.

After the film, Ms. Mendoza expressed her appreciation to those who attended the screening and introduced Christina Luna Zabih to the gathering. She shared her experiences of living in Barcelona, Spain and her comprehensive understanding of the art of Flamingo Dancing including its varied international origins. Her talk was followed by some thoughtfully asked questions whose answers enhanced the perceptions of all who heard them. It was after this session did the afternoon end with many eager to partake of future films presented during the festival. You’ll be able to find more photographs taken during the Sunday October 4^th afternoon screening of the 3^rd Annual Latino Heritage Month Film Festival in the Viva La PCT Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154259679928761.1073741904.91146283760&type=3.

The 3^rd Annual Latino Heritage Month Film Festival takes place from September 24^th to October 15^th and is presented by the East Stroudsburg University (ESU) of PA's Department of Modern Languages. The department's primary focus is to teach the students of ESU to communicate effectively in their target language while allowing them to gain inter-cultural competencies that serve their professional and personal goals. The Festival is co-sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the ESU Center for Research and Economic Development, Inc. The film festival continued with a screening of the film “Mr. Kaplan” in the late afternoon of Sunday October 4^th at the PCT and which will be shown once again on Thursday October 8^th at 2pm in Room 113 at ESU, another screening of “Gypsy Barcelona” on Tuesday October 6^th at 2pm followed by a Question and Answer session with the director via Skype, and the film “Adelante” at The Pocono Community Theater on Thursday October 15^th at 5pm followed by a Question and Answer session with director. You can learn more about The 3^rd Annual Latino Heritage Month Film Festival from their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/ESULatinoFilmFest?fref=ts&ref=br_tf or from their Website at www.esu.edu/academics/departments/modern_languages/film_festival.cfm.

Christina Luna Zabih was born in Barcelona, Spain to a Catalan father and an Iranian mother which provided her with an inter-cultural perception of life. After graduating in the field of public relations in her home country, she studied Communication Studies at the University of East Stroudsburg of PA. She then began broadcasting on the University's Radio Station, WESS 90.3 FM Www.tunein.com/radio/WESS-903-s28605, on a program known as “Your voice with (Tu Voz con) Christina” which was designed to give a voice to the Hispanic community through the presentation of entertainment, music, and interviews. The program can now be heard on WABT aka Pocono 96.7 www.Pocono967.com every Sunday beginning at 8am. She is also a columnist in the daily publication of the local Newspaper, “Pocono Record” in which she expresses the experience of being an immigrant in the United States. You can learn more about Christina Luna Zabih and her contributions to the community by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/tuvozconchristina?fref=ts or her Website at www.tuvozconchristina.com.

In addition to hosting the 3^rd Annual Latino Heritage Month Film Festival, The Pocono Community Theater and Cultural Center presents a variety of films both popularly current as well revivals of those films released in the past such as the films “Night of the Living Dead” on Sunday October 11^th along with screenings of “Halloween” and “Halloween II” on Monday October 19^th. The Pocono Community Theater also host special events such as their Book Club Series which explore novels that have been adapted to the screen and are currently being shown in the theater as well as special event like their Comedy Cabaret - Open Mic Night on Sunday October 11^th, a concert with the Bovine Social Club on Saturday October 17^th, a screening of the film “Fed Up” on Sunday October 18^th, and an exploration of the book titled, “Your Face in Mine” in conjunction with The East Stroudsburg University One Book, One Campus program. Please Explore The Pocono Community Theater Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/PoconoCommunityTheater or their Website at www.poconocommunitytheater.org for more information.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.