Faith in Blackness: An Exploration of AfroLatine Spirituality
“How can the creator of the universe be smaller than me?” Black Latine people around the world practice a myriad of faith traditions. This short-form documentary explores dynamic identities of these AfroLatine people and their journey for a home, a faith in Blackness.
-
Charles ReynosoDirector
-
Guesnerth Josue PereaWriter
-
Charles ReynosoWriter
-
Michael A Lopez, Jr.Writer
-
Guesnerth Josue PereaProducer
-
Charles ReynosoProducer
-
Michael A Lopez, Jr.Producer
-
Rosanna CastroKey Cast
-
Jose HumphreysKey Cast
-
Yvette ModestinKey Cast
-
Yahusef MedinaKey Cast
-
Marisela GomezKey Cast
-
Emilio AlvarezKey Cast
-
Americo PaezKey Cast
-
Tania MolinaKey Cast
-
Paulina RiveraKey Cast
-
Project Type:Documentary
-
Runtime:26 minutes 50 seconds
-
Completion Date:May 6, 2023
-
Production Budget:5,000 USD
-
Country of Origin:United States
-
Country of Filming:United States
-
Language:English
-
Shooting Format:Digital, 4K UHD
-
Aspect Ratio:2:1
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
-
Student Project:No
-
Afro-Latino Film Festival
CT Premiere
Best Short Documentary -
South Film and Arts Academy Festival
Chile
Chile Premiere
Best Short Documentary, Best First Time Director -
T.I.F.A. - Tietê International Film Awards
Brazil
Brazil Premiere
Best Short Documentary -
Santa Barbara International International Movie AwardsSanta Barbara
United States
Best Short Documentary -
New Jersey International Short FestivalNew Jersey
United States
NJ Premiere
Best Short Documentary -
Pulling Focus Film Festival
United States
Best Inspirational Film -
Three Fires Film FestivalOntario
Canada
Canada Premiere
Best Inspirational Film -
The Love Peace and Freedom Film FestivalChihuahua
Mexico
Mexico Premiere
Best Religious/Mystical Film -
The IndieFEST Film Awards
Best Religious/Mystical Film, Award of Excellence -
Festival Internacional de las Artes Cinematograficas de San Cristobal de las CasasSan Cristobal de Las Casas
Mexico
Best Religious/Mystical Film -
Hispanic International Film Festival
Award of Excellence
Charles Reynoso has been an educator, musician, and multimedia artist for over two decades. He is currently the Director of Education at Reel Works, a nonprofit organization that mentors, inspires, and empowers marginalized NYC youth to share their stories through filmmaking and career xploration. As a media producer, Charles collaborates with several non-profit organizations to bring awareness to issues surrounding
the AfroLatino community. For many years Charles worked as a teacher with the Department of Education, during his time there he engaged his history students by creating short films with historical narratives to connect modern day injustices and inequalities to American history. Charles has a B.S. in Multimedia Journalism from CUNY Lehman College, and a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Special Education within Urban Settings from Long Island University. He has recently discovered that his love language is coffee.
My own journey of faith has taken me from a devout spirituality to a form of agnosticism. My lived experiences as a Black man, an Afro-Latino, often felt constrained by the religion that sought to free me. Like the people in this film, I discovered that embracing my Blackness connected me to all people whose healing journeys are redefining their spiritualities and faith traditions. Humanity is dynamic and “religion” can shrink the divine and the believer. Through interviews and poetic imagery, this documentary puts into conversation the stories of eight Black Latine people who are shaping their faith traditions to ensure the inclusion of their whole selves, and others like them. I believe this documentary can provide other intersectional people with a place of exploration that helps them decolonize their spirituality and remain rooted in justice and the memory of our ancestors.