Casa del Cordón screens documentary highlighting Pico Duarte

Santo Domingo.- The Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón, an initiative of Banco Popular Dominicano, screened the documentary “El Pico Duarte,” part of Centro Cuesta Nacional’s (CCN) Orgullo de Mi Tierra project, highlighting the ecological importance of the country’s highest mountain and its connection to Dominican identity.

The film is the first documentary dedicated to Pico Duarte in more than 40 years. Produced by Montesereno Films and directed by Mariana Rubio and Arturo Dickson, it was filmed during six expeditions throughout different seasons, capturing changes in the landscape, weather conditions, and several routes leading to the mountain.

The documentary highlights Pico Duarte’s key role in the Dominican Republic’s water system as the source of the Yaque del Norte and Yaque del Sur rivers. It also showcases the area’s endemic flora and fauna, as well as the experiences of local communities, mountain guides, and hikers involved in protecting the ecosystem.

The production included an 18-member crew, mountain guides from nearby communities, and more than 10 interviews with experts in history, biodiversity, and environmental issues.

Before the screening, a panel featuring producer Mario Dávalos, director Mariana Rubio Pittaluga, and CCN Vice President of Corporate Communication and Institutional Relations Amalia Vega discussed the challenges of filming in high-altitude conditions, the research behind the project, and the importance of preserving Pico Duarte for future generations.

At 3,101 meters above sea level, Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the Caribbean. Located in the Central Mountain Range between Armando Bermúdez and José del Carmen Ramírez national parks, the area is an important protected ecosystem and an increasingly popular ecotourism destination.