Documentary on Puerto Rico’s coquí frogs hits theaters

The documentary traces the coquí’s relationship with Puerto Rico from the Taíno era to the present day, showcasing the frogs in their natural habitats -- including forests, plateaus and caves.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rican documentary “Los coquíes de Puerto Rico” (The Coquís of Puerto Rico) -- directed by Sonia Fritz and based on research by biologist Rafael Joglar -- began screening on Thursday at Fine Arts Popular and Fine Arts Miramar. The film examines the various species of the amphibian and the threats they face due to climate change.

“The ‘coquí’ is beloved by Puerto Ricans,” Joglar said in a written statement. “It is the ambassador, the soul of our people and our culture.”

With a runtime of 60 minutes, the production explores Puerto Rico’s various coquí species, their importance to ecosystems, and the impacts of climate change, blending science, history and conservation.

From a historical perspective, the documentary traces the coquí’s relationship with Puerto Rico from the Taíno era to the present day, showcasing the frogs in their natural habitats -- including forests, plateaus and caves.

“As a filmmaker, it was a unique experience to film ‘coquíes’ at night in forests, plateaus, and caves, and to watch expert biologists handle them while explaining the details of each species and the threats they face,” Fritz said.

Some of the scientific content is based on the work of Joglar, who has spent over 52 years researching coquíes; he appears in the production to explain the characteristics of the species and their habitats.

Beyond commercial screenings, the filmmakers envision the production serving as an educational resource for addressing topics such as biodiversity, conservation and climate change.

“Los coquíes de Puerto Rico” is presented in Spanish with English subtitles.