Emilia: an untold Cuban-American story
Documentary - 51 min - English/Spanish with subtitles - (USA/Cuba/Spain)
Luis Pérez Tolón – luispereztolon@gmail.com © 2017 Emilia Productions LLC
Emilia is a first-person experimental narrative and a personal journey in search for ancestral roots. Emilia recounts a little known and very significant episode in Cuban-American history, the creation of Cuba’s national symbols in New York during the first independence struggles against Spain in 1850; and the meaning of the flag as a symbol for all Cubans. Emilia was the first woman deported from Cuba for political insurgency and the woman who sewed the first Cuban national flag in 1850 in New York City. When Emilia Teurbe Tolón’s tomb was found in Madrid in 2010 and her remains repatriated to Cuba for a State funeral, Luis traveled from Miami to Cuba, Spain, France, and New York to unravel the story of his ancestor, Emilia Teurbe Tolón. He traces his familial roots over two centuries to uncover a forgotten past and inspire future generations to tell their stories. Although anchored in history, the story is told in the present as he re-discovers family heritage and joins Emilia’s descendants in Cuba and Miami as they struggle to understand Cuba-US history, and their own family history of exile, family separation and reunification.
Emilia explores the life Emilia Teurbe Tolón, a pioneer for an independent Cuba from Spain. The first Cuban woman exiled for insurgency, Emilia continued to conspire from New York City, where she also embroidered the first Cuban national flag, an important symbol for the emerging Cuban nation. The film recounts a little known episode in Cuban American history, the first independence struggles against Spain during the early 19th century. When Emilia Teurbe Tolón’s tomb was found in Madrid in 2010 and her remains repatriated to Cuba for a State funeral, I undertook a journey to trace the life of Emilia. During the trip from Miami to Cuba, Spain, France and New York in search for ancestral roots, I find milestones about the history of Cuba and of my ancestor. Descendant of a family of Moguer (Huelva, Spain) of French origin, Emilia was a 19th century Criolla woman ahead of her time and a role model for Cuban women; a courageous pioneer in the struggle for independence, and for her contribution to education and to social justice, Emilia bequeathed her wealth for the education of poor children in Cuba.
Emilia’s husband was the nationalist poet and political activist Miguel Teurbe Tolón, a pioneer of Spanish-language journalism in the United States and a Freemason who designed the flag and coat of arms in New York in 1850. Initially, a supporter of Narciso López and his controversial filibustering expeditions to annex the island to the U.S. and free Cuba from Spain, Miguel and fellow exiles evolved towards full independence. Emilia and Miguel's commitment to free Cuba gave rise to the birth of the Cuban nation.
Emilia is an experimental documentary narrated in the first person. Although anchored in history, the film takes place in the present as I investigate official records to reconstruct Emilia’s life. Excerpts from 19th century publications, letters, and poetry lend authenticity to the personal quest. During the journey I discover forgotten family lore and join Emilia’s descendants in Cuba and Miami as we struggle to understand our ancestors’ roles in Cuba-U.S. history, and our own family history of immigration, exile, family separation and reunification. The documentary incorporates alternative digital formats, from professional HD to images captured on home video and mobile phones. Emilia is an independent production funded by donations from family and friends, and professional colleagues who donated their services.