Hurricane Maria: Stories From the Storm is a heart-wrenching documentary chronicling the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that struck the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico in September 2017. The film follows the stories of several Puerto Rican citizens, including Cindy Perez, a young woman whose life has been forever changed by the storm. She shares the struggles her family faced in the aftermath of the hurricane, from dealing with loss and uncertainty to navigating the bureaucratic nightmare of rebuilding their home.
Restituto Perez is another survivor who is featured in the film. A Vietnam War veteran, he shares the challenges of living through a natural disaster as someone who survived a war. He talks about the resilience he and his wife had to muster to make it through the storm, and the efforts they had to make to help neighbors and friends.
Myriam Lorenzo, a resident of Yabucoa, one of the hardest-hit communities, shares her story of how she and her family survived not only the storm but the following days without food, water or power. She talks about the sense of community that emerged as neighbors banded together to help one another.
Isela Ruiz, an electrical engineer who worked on restoring power to the island, shares the frustrations of working with a government bureaucracy that lacked the resources to effectively coordinate and execute repairs to the island's power grid. She speaks passionately about the need for Puerto Rico to be better prepared for future storms.
Priscilla Gonzalez shares a story of her family's evacuation to the United States after losing their home to the storm. She talks about the challenges of navigating the transition to a new country and culture, and the emotional toll that losing their home and community inflicted on her and her family.
Throughout the film, these and other survivors share their experiences of loss, resilience, and hope in the face of one of the worst natural disasters in Puerto Rico's history. The documentary provides a window into the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, including the breakdowns in communication and coordination between government agencies, as well as the quiet heroism of everyday citizens who stepped up to help their friends and neighbors.
The film's cinematography is stunning, capturing the breathtaking beauty of Puerto Rico's natural landscapes, as well as the stark contrasts of destruction wrought by the storm. The soundtrack, featuring the music of local artists, underscores the resilience of Puerto Rican culture in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Hurricane Maria: Stories From the Storm is a compelling and deeply moving documentary that sheds light on the realities of life after a natural disaster. It showcases the resilience and strength of ordinary citizens in the face of extraordinary adversity, but also highlights the need for better preparedness and stronger infrastructures to protect against future disasters.
Hurricane Maria: Stories From the Storm is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 4 minutes.
