Logline:

A hurricane passes over the island of Puerto Rico, bringing forth destruction, and causing an island-wide power outage. Within the eye of the Hurricane dances the spirit of chaos, Guabancex, following the rhythm of bomba drums.

Synopsis:

A hurricane passes over the island of Puerto Rico, bringing forth destruction, and causing an island-wide power outage. Within the eye of the Hurricane dances the spirit of chaos, Guabancex, following the rhythm of bomba drums. She speaks in a mournful tone, accusing humans of bringing suffering to the island, and declares her duty to wipe everything out to start a clean slate. After this statement, a coquí frog hangs onto a branch and reveals a small wooden house nestled between the roots of a larger Ceiba tree. A creaking wheelchair rolls over the wooden floor and reveals a young woman named Ceiba. Flickering candles light her sculptures and tools lying around, showing that she is an artisan. Ceiba feverishly carves a small figure. She talks to her carving, searching for strength in another being to stop the storm. The carving is actually a Taíno zemi of Yucahu. Once she finishes, the carving is presented in her hand and begins to float by magic. Yucahu appears in her home as a magnificent godly figure, but when lightning flashes, Yucahu yelps and cowers in fear. Yucahu refuses to help Ceiba. He has lost his strong connection with the Earth, and cannot reach it unless man looks towards their roots. In moments like these, people only hold fear. Yucahu looks at Ceiba and states that she must look back at her roots, and find the strength of her people on her own. He returns to his zemi. Ceiba assumes a role of bravery and looks at her clattering wooden door. Ceiba leaves her home and crosses her ramp, only to find it destroyed and inaccessible to her. The ramp collapses. She rides down a tree root and crashes down onto a muddy ground. Her wheelchair is away from her and still, she drags herself to look up. Guabancex targets Ceiba as the eye of the hurricane passes directly over them. With Ceiba’s own stories of her experiences as a disabled woman, she boldly declares how she doesn’t feel fear because she knows she and her community, her pueblo, are strong. She knows the Hurricane will pass, and encourages Guabancex, and the audience, to look within themselves and recognize their roots. Guabancex, feeling understood and seeing Ceiba’s love for her island, returns Ceiba to her wheelchair and ceases the storm. Ceiba promises to protect her island, and Guabancex shrinks down into her zemi. Ceiba sits powerfully in her wheelchair, and there is no more chaos. The storm has passed, and she takes a look at her home. After all that stress, she has to get back to her life, and she breathes a sigh of relief.