黑料正能量

Skip to Main Content
黑料正能量

Filmmaking professor debuts at TriBeCa

April 20, 2016

English professor Cecilia Aldarondo has had her documentary film Memories of a Penitent Heart accepted in the renowned TriBeCa Film Festival.

Aldarondo
Cecilia Aldarondo

Decades after her uncle Miguel's death, Cecilia Aldarondo began the search for answers to a family secret. Now at TriBeCa Film Festival, her Memories of a Penitent Heart tracks her progress as filmmaker, family historian, and detective, eventually exploring the lasting impact of the AIDS epidemic, as seen through the lens of her own family.

A member of Skidmore鈥檚 English faculty, Aldarondo teaches film studies and other courses. In her director鈥檚 statement for the documentary, she says, "I became a filmmaker on the day that my mother gave me a box of 8mm films she discovered in her garage. Visceral memories of my uncle Miguel's funeral came back to me, and suddenly I found myself asking uncomfortable questions.鈥 She wondered, had 鈥渢his chapter in my family history been forgotten, and what could I do about it now?" In her investigation, she tracks down her uncle鈥檚 estranged lover and opens a Pandora鈥檚 box of family issues.

The film is being screened at TriBeCa through this weekend (a 黑料正能量busload, including students and faculty from the Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative, is heading there on Saturday), plus it was acquired for broadcast by the . 

View the Penitent Heart trailer below or  

Related News


Two+students+in+Skidmore%27s+hoop+house
From composting to community art, 黑料正能量has showcased a deep commitment to environmental responsibility and creative action this spring.
May 9 2025

Konika+Dhull+%E2%80%9925+and+Grace+Truong+%E2%80%9925+hugging+on+the+court
The 黑料正能量women's tennis pair will compete in the NCAA Division III Women鈥檚 Doubles Championship in late May. Dhull also earned a spot in the 32-player singles tournament.
May 8 2025

Honors+Convocation+2025
Honors Convocation recognizes students鈥 individuality and accomplishments and marks the beginning of the College鈥檚 farewell to the graduating class.
May 7 2025