Film Unveils Latin Side of Williamsburg

When Spanish slang with a Puerto Rican drawl dominated the south side of Williamsburg, a man named Diego Echeverria told its stories in the 1984 documentary "Los Sures," ("The Souths") — the neighborhood's Spanish nickname. You don't hear "Los Sures" spoken on those streets as much anymore, but a group of newcomers to the area wants to change that.

"Living Los Sures" is a project by Williamsburg-based Union Docs to restore the 1984 documentary — and a more ambitious effort to retell the neighborhood's story. Echeverria's restored film will screen at the New York Film Festival on Saturday at 8 p.m., and a panel at 1:30 p.m. will discuss the larger project."The film is so photographic," lead content editor Aris Dilone said. "It's very beautiful, and it gives you a real sense of the community. But it doesn't tell you what's happening to them now. So I went out and got that."

Drawing on her experience as a community organizer, Dilone took the film to homes in the neighborhood and started conversations with mainstays and newcomers. These chats became the foundation for a broader documentary project, which combines over 30 short films, interactive stories and an interactive online documentary. 

The idea for "Living Los Sures" was first conceived in 2007, when neighbors handed Christopher Allen, Union Docs' artistic director, a VHS of "Los Sures." "I moved into the south side of Williamsburg in 2002," Allen said. "There was so much about this neighborhood that I liked immediately, but also I found it was a little difficult to connect to the longer term residents." 

He said Echeverria's film helped him contextualize the neighborhood, and he sees the project as ongoing and ever-growing and hopes to keep adding to the collection of "Los Sures" stories.

Marta, one of "Los Sures" original residents, said she hopes the neighborhood's name catches on. She wants a sign on the Williamsburg bridge to read "Now Entering Los Sures." 

Diego Echeverria and three of the original characters from the 1984 film will be present for the screening and panel discussion on Saturday.