[StBernard] "LOUISIANA'S LOST TREASURE: THE ISLENOS" - A LOCAL DOCUMENTARY TO BE SHOWN IN ST. BERNARD PARISH COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 12

[Westley Annis]

 "LOUISIANA'S LOST TREASURE: THE ISLENOS" - A LOCAL DOCUMENTARY TO BE SHOWN
IN ST.  BERNARD PARISH COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 12

 

The St. Bernard Parish Film Commission, in conjunction with Los Islenos
Heritage and Cultural Society, will present  the documentary,  "Louisiana's
Lost Treasure: The Islenos," in a public showing on Friday, March 12, 2010
at 7 p.m. in the St. Bernard Parish Council Chambers, 8201 West Judge Perez
Drive, Chalmette.

 

Isleno descendants Samantha Perez and Joshua Robin produced and directed the
documentary as a film project for Southeast Louisiana University in Hammond
in 2009.  This film provides an overview of the cultural and historical
legacies of the Canary Islanders or Islenos who settled in Louisiana between
1778 and 1783 and founded St. Bernard Parish in 1780.

 

The documentary also explores the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the
demographics of the Isleno community. More than 67,000 people resided in St.
Bernard prior to Hurricane Katrina.  About two-thirds of that population
traced its ancestry in whole or in part to Canary Islands colonists.

 

"The St. Bernard Parish Film Commission plans to sponsor monthly screenings
of film work produced by local artists in Louisiana" said Ryan Fink, film
commission director.  Dorothy Benge, Los Islenos Society President,
commented that "young Islenos Joshua Robin and Samantha Robin did a
wonderful job of documenting our distinct culture. The film screening is an
excellent way to lead into our annual fiesta, scheduled for March 20-21, at
the museum complex."

 

A reception will immediately follow the documentary.  For additional
information, please call Ryan Fink at 504-650-1010 or Dot Benge at
504-554-8412.

 

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