Under My Nails

Three stories that narrate the normality of life in all three types of urban post-industrialization developments in Puerto Rico, the parcelas, caseríos, and residenciales.

Juan Encarnación is a reserved jibaro with a violent past. When Pura, the woman he loves, disappears, Encarnación sets out on a path of revenge armed with his machete and his daughter, Patria, in his arms.

Teenager Carmín lives in a mountainous village in the center of Puerto Rico with her tough and conservative grandmother. Her mother left for the US without her. The arrival of her father, after long years in prison, eases Carmín’s profound sadness. The relationship with him, however, brings its own ambiguousness and complexities and as Carmín moves into womanhood this causes great confusion, mostly for her.

The Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico, Dr. Eduardo Suáre does not agree with the new health reform that the Governor imposes on the country. At the same time, his wife with whom he has been married for more than 30 years and with whom he has six children, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Eduardo faces two crises, one of country and one in his home. Over time the disease completely takes his wife and Eduardo, who left his post in government to dedicate himself to his family, is in need to continue with his life. Submerged in the pain that causes the disease, not only the patient but the relatives and those closest to him, Eduardo begins a new love relationship that gives him back the desire to live.

Benny, the best North Manhattan barber, inherits a building. He must choose either to sell it (thus ending the history and dreams of an immigrant neighborhood) or keep the Barbershop, center of the community where everything can happen.

70% of the rum sold in the United States is produced in Puerto Rico. This 35-minute short film tours the island's distilleries and places of historial importance, highlighting the Puerto Rican rum industry. It has the participation of Puerto Rican music figures such as Kany García, El Gran Combo, Pedro Capó and Wisin.

This year, Popular dedicates its musical production to the Christmas holiday season that is celebrated in Puerto Rico for a period of almost two months. The production takes the audience through the various celebrations that take place during that time, from the trullas, Noche Buena, Misa de Gallo, despedida de año, to the Candelaria. All these celebrations have taken root in the Island’s popular culture, which allows Puerto Ricans to celebrate everything that period represents with a lot of music.

125 years of music in Puerto Rico from 1893 to 2018.