Beyond the Smoke," Documentary on Dominican Cigar Making, Hits Theaters October 29
A 71-minute documentary traces the Dominican cigar tradition through three families' stories. It opens in theaters across the country on October 29.
Key points
- The film is titled "Beyond the Smoke" and runs 71 minutes.
- It is directed by Mariel Aponte and produced by Sterlyn Ramírez, founder of Selene Films.
- It is shot in Spanish and English and follows Wander, Nirka and Tony.
- Lauren Fernández of DGCINE took part in its presentation.
The documentary "Beyond the Smoke" will open in movie theaters in the Dominican Republic on October 29. The 71-minute film explores tradition, identity and a sense of belonging through the craft of cigar making.
Dominican filmmaker Mariel Aponte directs the production, and Sterlyn Ramírez, founder of Selene Films, produces it. Lauren Fernández, international relations coordinator of the Dirección General de Cine (DGCINE), attended the film's presentation on behalf of the institution.
The film follows the experiences of Wander, Nirka and Tony. Their stories show how craft skills are passed down between generations, the weight of family ties, and the challenges of keeping a tradition alive while each person looks for their own path.
The film is spoken in Spanish and English. For its director, the project began as an exploration of tradition but became a story about the families who cultivate, inherit and transform it. "Its true essence lies in the gestures, the songs, the doubts and the decisions of those who find their own way to relate to that legacy," Aponte said.
The production invites viewers to reflect on the relationship between inheritance and evolution, and on the human stories behind a tradition rooted in Dominican culture.
The documentary is supported by Grupo Linda, Aeropuerto Internacional del Cibao, De los Reyes Cigars, La Flor Dominicana, ITABO, Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago, Hyatt Centric and Caribbean Films Distribution.