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Everything Seemed Possible (Todo parecía posible) + ScreenTalk with Ramón Rivera Moret and film curator Jonathan Ali

Cinema Restored

,Cinema 2
Everything Seemed Possible

Ramón Rivera Moret's compelling archival documentary revisiting a utopian chapter in Puerto Rico’s history through dozens of short films made in rural communities from the late 1940s to the 1960s.

In this documentary, Ramón Rivera Moret uncovers a visionary chapter in Puerto Rico’s history through the lens of the Division of Community Education’s ground-breaking film unit.

Born from Governor Luis Muñoz Marín’s Operation Bootstrap in the late 1940s, the unit produced dozens of short films with and for rural communities, aiming to educate, empower, and inspire social change. Led by Jack Delano and pioneering local filmmakers like Amílcar Tirado, these poetic documentaries defied simple propaganda, often challenging the government’s industrial push and rural displacement. 

Blending family memories with rare archival footage, Rivera Moret crafts a moving tribute to grassroots creativity, resistance, and the enduring spirit of the Puerto Rican people.

Tagged with: Cinema Young Barbican Cinema priority booking More...

With thanks to Jonathan Ali.

This event is in partnership with Open City Documentary Festival and the ICA.

Some of the films discussed in the film can be seen as part of a special programme at the ICA: https://ica.art/films/short-films-of-the-puerto-rican-film-unit

Film information
  • Release year   2025
  • Country   USA
  • Director   Ramón Rivera Moret
  • Runtime   1hr 45min

Ticket prices

Standard
£13 *
* Excludes £1.50 booking fee

Booking fees

£1.50 booking fee per online/phone transaction.

No fee when tickets are booked in person.

Booking fees are per transaction and not per ticket. If your booking contains several events the highest booking fee will apply. The booking fee may be reduced on certain events. Members do not pay booking fees.

Cinema 2

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.