Powering Puerto Rico — Bridging Perspectives Film Series

Opening the Bridging Perspectives series is a film that chronicles a story of resilience, innovation, and passion as Northeastern University professor Eugene Smotkin responds to the challenges of providing reliable power to Puerto Rico’s residents in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Following the screening, filmmaker Adam Fischer, Director of Northeastern Films, will be in conversation with David Roach, founder of The Oakland International Film Festival.

Presented by Northeastern University and Mills Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Oakland International Film Festival.

Puerto Rico, 2017: It all started with a storm and a car battery.

Eugene Smotkin was home in San Juan for the summer when two disasters struck: His wife had a stroke and Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, leaving more than 3 million people without electricity. After days of powering a cell phone and a small fan with a car battery, Eugene and his wife were finally able to make it to Boston for the medical treatment she desperately needed.

Back on campus, he has an idea: In conjunction with just a few solar panels, Eugene believes he can make a fully functional, affordable, renewable nanogrid system powered by reconditioned hybrid car batteries. And he wants to do so all over Puerto Rico, giving back electricity to a neglected energy populace at a fraction of the current cost.

This is a film about Puerto Rico’s resilience through hardship—and one man’s ingenuity in bringing power to the masses.

Run Time 40:45

After directing and producing television shows with networks including the Discovery Channel, History Channel, and Animal Planet for over a decade, Adam transitioned to Boston where he’s currently the Director of Northeastern Films. His 2019 documentary, M**der in Mobile, garnered international attention and was featured in 19 film festivals across the globe winning several festival awards, including best director, and a regional Emmy for Best Documentary.

In December of 2022, Adam wrapped his second documentary film which he wrote and directed. Powering Puerto Rico focuses on the timely issue of energy justice in Puerto Rico, following one man’s ingenuity in bringing reliable and affordable power to a neglected populace.

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Bridging Perspectives: Exploring Social Justice with the Oakland International Film Festival is a transformative three-part film screening series that delves into pressing social issues of our time: climate change, racial and gender justice. This series, presented by Northeastern University and Mills Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Oakland International Film Festival, offers a unique lens on pivotal movements and challenges, fostering dialogue and inspiring action.

"Bridging Perspectives" is more than just a film series—it's an invitation to reflect, engage, and act. Each screening will be followed by a curated conversation with the filmmakers and community leaders.

Don’t miss this opportunity to broaden your horizons and be part of a community dedicated to social justice and positive change.

Host or Publisher Mills Performing Arts