Bronx, NY: The Bronx premiere of the Roberto Clemente documentary, The Legacy of #21 held at the Hostos Performing Arts Center on Thursday February 15, 2007 was a resounding success. The 363-person capacity screening theater was practically sold out with many from the Bronx community coming out to support this Bronx production.

Among the many community leaders and supporters were Bronx Borough President, Adolfo Carrión (who was also the narrator of the film), Dr. Dolores Fernandez, President of Hostos Community College, Willie Colón, Pittsburg Pirates tackle and South Bronx native who came just to attend the premiere, Eddie LaGuerre, Executive Director of NAICA a South Bronx housing advocacy organization, Ramón Jimenez, known Bronx activist & actor Luis Antonio Ramós. Mr. Ramós was very excited about having the film premiere out in California and will assist the organizers in this effort.

Though the majority of the audience was from the local Bronx community, several special guests had driven from as far as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Delaware and South Jersey to attend this special community premiere. Among them, Paul Kutch, considered the worlds largest Clemente collector based out of Delaware and Phil Dorsey Jr. the son of Roberto Clemente’s best friend (who drove in from New Jersey), both were featured in the film.

“We are very proud to present the Legacy of #21 here tonight in the borough that saw its creation, the borough that has been responsible for the development of Rap, Hip Hop, Break Dancing, Salsa, and so much more can now add this film as part of its own legacy. The film was edited here, many interviews conducted in Yankee stadium, and in the community. The majority of the music came from local Bronx musicians and even the narration was the voice of our Borough president, Adolfo Carrion,” stated, Julio Pabón one of the films producers in his welcoming introduction.

The great majority of the audience stayed throughout the film’s ending to read the credits that had listed everyone and everything responsible for the film. The list included an extensive list from God to the tenants at 424 Grand Concourse. Byron hunter, the films other producer and the Executive Producer and mastermind behind the film stated it best when he thanked everyone for coming out on such a cold and icy day and reminded everyone that this was true community project.

After the film the audience remained for a question and answer period with both, Mr. Pabón, Mr. Hunter and the Bronx Borough President who was one of the community sponsors.

The Borough President congratulated both, Mr. Pabón and Mr. Hunter for what he termed, “an excellent job” in bringing us so much insight into the life of a great humanitarian, Roberto Clemente. “I was immediately convinced to support the Retire 21 Campaign when it was first brought to my attention by Julio, It was like bringing the congregation to the converts, however, this film taught me a lot more on why #21 should be retired,” stated Borough President Carrión.

The resounding applause and all the suggestions and offers of support that the majority of the audience gave to the producers and organizers were a testament of the love and respect that the community has for Roberto Clemente and for the excellent work done by this South Bronx firm in documenting our own history.
 

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