Ep 271 - The Street Party That Shook a Nation – Jose Maria Cabral on 42nd Street

In this powerful episode, Geoffrey D. Calhoun sits down with acclaimed Dominican filmmaker Jose Maria Cabral to explore his groundbreaking hybrid documentary 42nd Street. The film showcases a grassroots art and music movement born out of the Capotillo neighborhood—a community stigmatized by violence but transformed through relentless creativity and self-expression. From razor blade dances to government crackdowns, this episode dives into the story of a 24/7 street party that became a symbol of survival and resistance.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How 42nd Street captures a real-time cultural revolution in Capotillo
• The power of art as survival in marginalized communities
• Why Jose lived in Capotillo during the writing of the film
• How to approach hybrid documentaries with both realism and care
• Jose’s advice for aspiring documentarians

Key Moments:

• 00:28 – Geoffrey welcomes Jose Maria Cabral to the podcast
• 01:08 – The origins of the 42nd Street movement and its defiance of government control
• 05:11 – The razor blade dance and its symbolism of survival
• 09:49 – How creating the documentary changed Jose personally and creatively
• 14:22 – Jose’s unique tip: filming a “research documentary” before production

About the Guest:
Jose Maria Cabral is an award-winning Dominican filmmaker known for his bold storytelling and social commentary. His latest hybrid documentary 42nd Street has received multiple screenings at South by Southwest, highlighting a vibrant underground movement in Capotillo. Jose’s commitment to authenticity and immersive filmmaking continues to shine a light on unheard voices.

About the Host:
With films on network television, streaming platforms, and in theaters, Geoffrey D. Calhoun is a screenwriter, author of The Guide for Every Screenwriter, and a passionate mentor in the industry. He hosts The Successful Screenwriter podcast to empower writers and filmmakers at every level.

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

• 42nd Street Documentary
• The Guide for Every Screenwriter

Connect with the Guest:

• Instagram – @josemariacabral
• IMDb – Jose Maria Cabral

Connect with Geoffrey D. Calhoun:

• Podcast Website
• Instagram @screenwriterpod
• TikTok @screenwriterpod

Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe! Share this with a filmmaker or screenwriter who needs to hear Jose’s incredible story of art through adversity.

#42ndStreetFilm #JoseMariaCabral #Capotillo #SXSW2025 #HybridDocumentary #ScreenwritingPodcast #TheSuccessfulScreenwriter #GeoffreyDCalhoun #IndieFilm #DocLife #StreetArt #CreativeResistance #PartyThatNeverStops

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Connect with Geoffrey
📸 Instagram: @screenwriterpod
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