New Film, Set on a Philly Bus, Celebrates the Magic of the Latino Community

The Latino community gathers on a bus, and joy ensues, in the new short film "La Guagua 47."

1 minute read

September 15, 2022, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


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A new short film, La Guagua 47, provides a portrait of the Latino community in Philadelphia by documenting a transformative ride on a SEPTA bus.

According to an article by Bibiana Correa, filmmaker Alba Martínez created the film as a loving portrait of the Latino community in Philadelphia, and the magic and joy they achieve when they come together.

The film “follows a young Latina migrant who is new to Philly and discovers community as she takes SEPTA’s 47 bus route through the city,” writes Correa. According to Correa, the film came about through a collaboration between the filmmaker, SEPTA, and Al Día for the Aborrdo SEPTA program.

The filmmaker hopes the film will resonate with a larger audience (such as, this writer suggests, transit riders of any race, who have expressed repeatedly over the years that community is part of the reason they love to ride transit).

The short film is set to debut at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on September 15 — the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in WHYY

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