Kaiane Aldorino (Miss World 2009) discusses Culture in Gibraltar

I was able to briefly speak with former Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino, and recorded a brief interview with her. She discussed Gibraltarian culture, as well as some of the common misperceptions about Gibraltar that she encountered as she carried the title of Miss World.

Adrian Pisarello discusses his music & Gibraltarian identity

Rock musician Adrian Pisarello sits above La Caleta and discusses why he wrote "Aquí Nadie Se Lo Traga" and what it means to be Gibraltarian. Here's the song:

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo challenges Spain

On June 15, I had the honor to accompany the recently-elected Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, to the United Nations Committee of 24 meetings on decolonization. I filmed the Chief Minister's speech and have made it available in its entirety on YouTube. It is a stirring and energetic speech that astonished all present at the meetings that morning.



For those of you looking for just some sound bytes, this highlights video is a good place to start.



I filmed a lot more of the Government of Gibraltar's visit to the United States and United Nations Headquarters, but most of that will have to wait for the full documentary, which is coming along.

Phil Valverde sings to his Gibraltar

I filmed Phil Valverde singing this song in March 2011 for "People of the Rock," and this refrain has been stuck in my head ever since:

"Gibraltar, my Gibraltar
Keep your nose clean
From the North side of the border"

He's singing about the period from 1969-1985 when Spain closed the border with Gibraltar as an act of political aggression. In his full interview, Philip discusses how visitors to Gib flew to Tangier and took a boat across the strait to the Rock. Animosity towards Spain flourished and the people of Gibraltar became a very close-knit community.



The film is coming along well. I've recently been invited to attend and film the United Nations Committee of 24 meetings on non-self-governing territories this June in New York. That segment will cover something that a number of people have discussed in their interviews, but showing is so much more powerful than telling in film. The short story is that Fabian Picardo (recently-elected Chief Minister of Gibraltar) will represent Gibraltar before the UN in an attempt to have Gibraltar removed from the UN list of non-self-governing territories (ie, colonies). Spain and the UK will speak as well, and history suggests that sparks will fly.

Follow the Facebook page for more frequent updates!