“I want to spark both reflection and conversation” | Film buzz

In 1948, Luis Muñoz Marín became the first democratically elected governor of Puerto Rico, 50 years after the island was colonised by the United States. As part of his Popular Democratic Party’s programme of reforms, the Division of Community Education (DIVEDCO) was established. Among its activities, DIVEDCO produced a series of short films aimed at improving the lives of people, primarily in poorer rural communities — films made in collaboration with the people themselves.

Combining social intent with cinematic artistry, and imbued with a spirit of collective endeavour, DIVEDCO’s documentary and fiction films explored subjects such as illiteracy, women’s rights, and civic responsibility. They won acclaim internationally at film festivals in the 1950s and 1960s, then remained difficult to access for decades.

Everything Seemed Possible — a new, largely archival documentary that coincides with the restoration of several of the films — explores what was a utopian moment in Puerto Rico’s history. Its director, Ramón Rivera Moret, spoke with Jonathan Ali.

The story of the Community Education Division films is a personal one for you, as your great-uncle Gabriel was one of the filmmakers. When did you first become aware of these films?

I first heard about the films from my grandmother when I was very young. She told me about her brother Gabriel’s work and the value she saw in the films and the stories they told. The films were known in Puerto Rico, but were primarily intended for rural communities and weren’t easily accessible outside that circuit. I didn’t have the chance to see the films until much later, when I was a film student in Paris.

The films were made within a particular context of post-War modernisation in Puerto Rico

The 1950s and ‘60s economic shift from agriculture to industry spurred rapid modernisation in Puerto Rico, driving urban migration and mass emigration to the US. As in other parts of the world, this modernisation process generated new problems, and largely failed. Its architect, Luis Muñoz Marín, became a polarising figure — hailed as a saviour by some, and condemned as a traitor by others for repressing opposition, particularly the pro-independence movement.

In Everything Seemed Possible, I wanted to explore this complex historical period, and the DIVEDCO films — with their utopian vision, portrayal of the landscape and rhythms of rural life, and depiction of the people’s spirit — provided a powerful entry point. Having grown up in a small town, I had witnessed the tail end of the world these films portrayed.

You note that the division’s films were not simply propaganda for the Muñoz Marín administration

It is striking that Muñoz Marín, who enacted a gag law that made opposition to the government illegal, still allowed DIVEDCO artists the freedom to dissent. At times, these artists openly challenged his administration. Only one film is known to have been censored.

DIVEDCO was Muñoz Marín’s brainchild. In his youth, he had been a socialist and an advocate for independence. Perhaps those beliefs lingered in some way, with the programme serving to showcase them.

What was impact of the films at the time they were made?

Their greatest impact was in the rural communities. In my conversations with organisers who facilitated the screenings and discussions, [they] emphasised the films’ social function in sparking communities to organise, improve infrastructure, create literacy programmes, and address democratic ideals. They also spoke of the significance members of the communities felt seeing their lives portrayed on the screen.

At the film’s conclusion, you quote a writer who describes Muñoz Marín’s project for Puerto Rico as “a house half built”. Could the recovery of the DIVEDCO films have a role to play in reimagining a lost future?

With Everything Seemed Possible and the restoration of the DIVEDCO films, I want to spark both reflection and conversation about the films, the period in which they were made, and the generation of Puerto Ricans who, in a short time, transformed the country by building infrastructure and educational and cultural institutions. The project ultimately failed, and for decades now the institutions built at that time have been dismantled or made dysfunctional.

But there is much to learn from this period in imagining and building the future. A strong spirit of solidarity remains in the country. The DIVEDCO films’ embrace of community and their utopian spirit can continue to be a source of inspiration.

Everything Seemed Possible (2025)
Ramón Rivera Moret
USA • 105 minutes