ANDREW HALLENBERG & ALEXZANDRIA SANCHEZ
About An Island Worn
In September of 2017, Hurricane Irma passed through the Caribbean, leaving 1 million people without power. A week after Hurricane Irma made its mark, Hurricane Maria came forging through in full force, leaving large parts of Puerto Rico completely devastated. Now, in 2020, the estimated death toll in Puerto Rico has surpassed 5,000. The event has been recorded as the worst natural disaster in recorded history to affect the Caribbean.
In October of 2019, Alexzandria “Alexz” Sanchez (Philadelphia, PA) received funding from a panel of producers to pursue a documentary film that would use family testimonies and academic insight to highlight how natural disasters in Puerto Rico contribute to a long history of oppression and colonization of the island.
After Alexz was green lit, Andrew Hallenberg (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) joined the project as a “one-man production crew.” Andrew does not speak Spanish. This was his first time visiting Puerto Rico. Over the course of five days, they traveled the length of the island. Alexz conducted interviews, while Andrew carried out the necessary guerrilla production.
These photos captured on 35mm film by Andrew are paired with interview statements selected by Alexz. In tandem, the work becomes a reflection that is both novel and insightful. This series tells the story of an island worn, resilient, and beautiful.
About Andrew
Andrew Hallenberg is a filmmaker from Ft. Lauderdale, FL who concentrates on editing and post-production practices. His creative non-fiction work pulls influences from street photography, deep funk, documentary, and experimental film. Andrew is a graduating senior from Ithaca College studying Film, Photography, & Visual Arts.
About Alexz
Alexzandria Sanchez is a senior journalism student from Philadelphia, PA. With minors in Politics and Latinx Studies, her concentration is focused on analyzing how U.S policies have affected Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Latinx populations within the U.S.
She is passionate about using journalism and media as a vessel to create nonviolent spaces and platforms in which marginalized voices can be amplified and valued. Alexzandria is currently working on her documentary (which has yet to be named!) that aims to explore Puerto Rico’s status as colony of the United States, using her family’s testimonies of surviving Hurricane Maria.