pa-o-lah - Paola Méndez Colón

Documentary
15:16

pa-o-lah is a self-portrait documentary. Paola describes what it’s like to live far away from her cultural roots. As Paola prepares to graduate from college she is tempted with exploring Spain or coming back to her Puerto Rican roots.

pa-o-lah


Ìý

pa-o-lah is a self-portrait poetic documentary about Paola Méndez Colón. In the film, Paola describes what it’s like to grow up so far away from family and her cultural roots. Navigating through the climax of her decade-old cultural identity crisis, she is faced with the urge to move out of the United States but not knowing where to go. As Paola prepares to graduate from college she is tempted with exploring Spain or coming back to her Puerto Rican roots. Seeking a place to thrive in. A place to call home. A place where she can go by Paola.

Movie poster with cut-out photo of artist as toddler pasted against a brunt orange background with title pa-o-lah

Movie poster

This is me coming home with all the equipment I rented.

This is me coming home with all the equipment I rented.

Interface of Adobe Premiere video editing

Layers in Premiere during editing.

Two people sitting and laying on the grass

This project was difficult for me (especially during the editing process) and my friends helped to take mental breaks.

Artist Talk