"Tito and The Manta Ray" (Tito y La Mantarraya) is a movie about a boy, "Tito", befriended by a Manta Ray at the fishermen's dock of the small caribbean island known as Vieques, where he lives. Tito becomes obsessed with the Manta Ray to the point where he tells his grandparents, at whose home he resides that the Manta Ray is asking him for help. The grandparents are very concerned with Tito's interest in the Manta Ray but consider it part of the child's fantasy.
Large areas of the small island are constantly used for military target practice during sixty years and Tito joins his grandmother at the community's protests.
The people, like Tito, demand an end to the military practices and that the Navy leave their land, because they cause contamination and sickness among many of the inhabitants. Tito expresses his worries in many ways, while insisting the Manta Ray is asking for help to stop the military exercises that greatly affect all marine species, the flora and fauna.
What will be the conclusion of this outstanding story? You will find out when you see "TITO AND THE MANTA RAY".
"Tito and The Manta Ray" is the first feature length docudrama done in Digital Cinematography shot entirely on the beautiful island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
Students from the Vieques Middle School lived the wonderful experience of participating in this history making film of highly real life dramatic content.
Tito is portrayed by brilliant child actor, Michael Urayoan Connelly Reyes, who becomes a screen star. Other actors include the talented actress, Myrna Pagán, Charlie Connelly, Mario Solís, Carmian Céspedes, Iván Montero (father and son), Eduardo Cánovas, children actresses Alexandra and Kiani Connelly Reyes and their father, Pablo Connelly.
Music is by Néstor Torrez, Carlos Lazarte, Américo Boscheti and Fernandito Ferrer.
The movie was made thanks to the support of Cinevieques Idependiente, the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques, the Vieques Cultural Center, the Vieques Historic Archives, the famous Fort Count Mirasol Museum, and the Milivy Foundation.
This epic project was written, produced and directed by the well known Puerto Rican Filmmaker, Andrés L Nieves Meléndez, ( also known as AL Nieves) who worked for three arduous years on this incredible production.
RUN. TIME 101 MINUTES
