In loving memory of the Butterflies

[DominicanScotty]

The book, the movie

Has anyone seen the movie version of Julia Alvarez's book "In the time of the butterflies", with Salma Hayek and Edward James Olmos?
They both give very powerful performances along with a strong cast of supporting actors.
Buy the movie, you won't be disappointed!

Both Salma Hayek and Edward James Olmos gave us powerful performances with the supporting role of Marc Anthony. A riveting account based from Julia Alvarez's book. Of course, the directors and producers could not keep their greasy little hands off the true story which is powerful in it's own rights. They just had to twist the story around a little. Read the book, it is based on Julia Alvarez's many conversations with Dede Mirabal and her first hand knowledge and experiences of what really happened.

 

[DominicanScotty]

Visit the museum

This is one of the best threads I have ever seen on DR1. Thanks, D Scotty. I have learned a LOT about the DR from this.

It is in Salcedo which is near Moca. Also, if possible visit the site where they were murdered. This November 25th will be 46 years of their passing. It is on the cumbre (tourist road) between Monte Llano and Santiago. Just stop along the roadway an ask where it is (the site). Everyone knows about this.

Buy the book and see the movie. Salma Hayek portrays Minerva Mirabal wonderfully. Edward James Olmos portrays Trujillo almost as real life. Salsa great, Marc Anthony played a powerful supporting role.

Last year on another message board I started this topic. It is my way of showing my love for this country, it's people, it's culture, it's history and the Mirabal family.

 

[bob saunders]

My wife is good friends with Jacquiline, Minerva's youngest daughter, and grew up in the Mirabel household(uncle of Minerva and sisters) in Jarabacoa where her mother was the cook. At one time Don Fedjo owned most of what is now Jarabacoa. Yris feels that she owes alot to the Mirabel family because they paid for her to go to private school and were instrumental in pushing her to suceed. Dominican women will someday run the country, but they will not let their men know it.

 

[CFA123]

Interview with Dede Mirabal posted on YouTube recently.
Hear the story of her sisters' deaths in her own words (English subtitles included).

YouTube - Dede Mirabal - 1
YouTube - Dede Mirabal - 2
YouTube - Dede Mirabal - 3
YouTube - Dede Mirabal - 4

 

[snowbird44]

Wow, this is powerful testimony! It's good that some people survived to tell the truth.
I bought and read the book after I was made aware of it in another thread on DR1, I believe. It is wonderful. I also saw the movie later and was a little disappointed.
In the time of the Butterflies and The Feast of the Goat are truly fascinating accounts of the Trujillo era, even if it was only fictional story telling.

 

[Berzin]

I visited the museum while in the region, and also took in the sites of Old Santiago, which was destroyed in an earthquake. The country has alot of history which is quite compelling, but nothing tops a guided tour of this house.

 

[Sharlene]

I have to confess that I was ignorant of the story of the Mirabal sisters until I watched the film on cable recently. I was fascinated by the story and it's given me the impetus to find out more and to try and visit the museum and read the book that the film is based on. Thanks very much for starting this thread as there's some really interesting information here....

 

[Chirimoya]

Both the book and the museum are a must. I've visited the museum three times and it doesn't fail to move me. Last time (about a year ago) I had the honour of meeting Do?a Ded? too.

 

[2LeftFeet]

I just picked up In the time of the Butterflies. It's fascinating. How much of it is true and how much is fiction? The book is considered fiction. Does anyone know?

Is Dona Dede still alive?

 

[2LeftFeet]

I saw the You Tube interviews and they really piqued my interest. I'd love to visit the museum. I'm reading the book now I can't wait to finish it.