From Spark Media and director Andrea Kalin comes First Lady of the Revolution, a great documentary resource for those interested in history, politics, and women's rights. The documentary tells the story of Henrietta Boggs, a young southern belle from Alabama with an adventurous spirit ahead of her time, who visits her aunt and uncle in Costa Rica, where she joins a charismatic local farmer, José Figueres Ferrer on a fateful motorcycle ride that would change the course of her life. Henrietta challenged the conventions of early 20th-century society, and her journey represents a courageous escape from a traditional, sheltered existence to explore new horizons and live a life she never imagined.
Henrietta grew up in Alabama with a strict religious, specifically Presbyterian, upbringing. The southern way of life was held sacred, and the deeply conservative and segregated environment she inhabited encouraged conformity and demonized difference and eccentricity. But Henrietta was a rebel from the start—she tells the story of how she used to sneak out during sermons to drink coke and smoke cigarettes at a nearby store, eventually returning to the church and feigning genuine interest in scripture.
The oldest of five, Henrietta seems aware that she was a bit out of place both in her time and within her family unit. She quips “All of them were musical except me!” Instead, Henrietta wanted to be a writer and journalist, writing for the school paper at Birmingham-Southern College where she attended. It would be during her time in college that the gravity of the fully encapsulated and complete racial segregation of the South, remarking that it was near impossible to even encounter people of color unless they were workers performing a service for their white patrons. She began to ponder the validity of the racist views her father espoused and attempted to impart to her, coming to the realization that they were categorically wrong. Though it may seem obvious now, these were very radical views for a young white woman in the South to hold during this time.
While visiting relatives in Costa Rica, Henrietta falls in love with the country and José Figueres Ferrer, a rich and charismatic coffee farmer. Figueres himself is a very intriguing man; the land he owned was beautiful though it lacked fertile land. When asked why he would choose a location so unviable for his farm, which he named “The Endless Struggle," he simply replied, “Because easy things bore me.”
One fateful day, he approaches Henrietta on a motorcycle and tells her that she reminded him of a beautiful blonde woman from a Harley Davidson advertisement saying “You look exactly like her” which she dismissed, but she was fascinated by him. Their courtship continued, and on one trip up to the volcano he told Henrietta “I think we [should] get married…you can think about it on the way up to the volcano.” She asked him if their union would be akin to Macbeth, to which he replied “Marriage to me will be worse than that. But it will never be boring.”
Their marriage in 1941 marks the beginning of a tumultuous yet transformative journey. It’s a decade filled with activism, political upheaval, and the relentless pursuit of progressive reforms. The documentary serves as a window into the relentless struggle to shape Costa Rica’s democratic identity, with Henrietta at its heart. Her union with José Figueres thrusts them into the realm of political activism, leading to a period of exile in El Salvador and Mexico. Upon their return to Costa Rica, they find themselves immersed in the chaos of the 1948 civil war, with Figueres emerging as the nation’s president once the dust settles. Henrietta felt that women of the era were defined by the men in their lives, which she resented, and she belligerently worked to influence his ideas, particularly on women’s rights to vote.
The strains of leadership affect their marriage, as Figueres’ duties leave little room for personal life, especially when it comes to their children. She began to feel increasingly lonely, and being neglected by her husband in a time of illness convinced her to leave him and return to the United States. He didn’t try to stop her, simply lamenting “You have dealt me a blow from which I will never recover.” For all of his power and influence, he couldn’t change her mind about leaving.
One of the most beloved figures in Costa Rican history, it is easy to understand why a young woman yearning for adventure would fall in love with a man like Figueres; he is described as intelligent, though humble, persuasive yet enigmatic. What audiences will find upon watching First Lady Of The Revolution that it is is equally apparent why such a man would fall in love with Henrietta. A spritely 95 years old at the time of filming, she is witty, charming, and full of life, more so than those decades younger, working as an author and journalist until her passing. Those she encounters during the documentary can’t be helped but be charmed by her, commenting on her youthful energy and comedic timing. There is no doubt that audiences will be charmed as well.
The film ends on an uplifting note: writer Enrique Obregón Valverde is asked if what happened in 1948 had been a revolution, he responds: “Before 1948 when a peasant had a child he would say almost instinctively ‘A new farmhand has been born to me.’ A new life that can be exploited to work in the fields. But 25 years after the revolution of 1948, the children and grandchildren of those same peasants are teachers and university professors, physicians at hospitals, lawyers, engineers, chemists, physicists, and politicians. That is a revolution.” The documentary concludes with Henrietta receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Birmingham-Southern College, where she previously attended, at the age of 99, remarking that she had always wanted to earn a degree.
It is a solid documentary, directed competently and well produced. It doesn’t stray from the standard documentary format many films currently utilize and it doesn’t need to–as one would hope, the subject itself is the main drawing point here. It's an exceedingly interesting story that feels almost as though it were the plot of a book or a movie, a young woman thrust into such an incredible situation by chance, but as the viewer gets to know Henrietta it feels almost expected of her.
Overall, First Lady of The Revolution is an interesting watch, though it may have viewers wanting more. It is an amazing story, but it only scratches the surface of an even larger, fascinating part of history, as well as Henrietta’s life. The film is a worthy documentary resource for those interested in history.
What can this educational documentary be used as a resource for?
In conjunction with readings and in-depth lessons, this film would be a great asset to facilitate classroom discussion.
What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
First Lady of the Revolution would be a valuable documentary resource for high schools, community colleges and universities offering classes in Latin American history, the American South, Women’s Studies, and Civics.
What kind of film collection would this title be suitable for?
First Lady of the Revolution would be a valued resource for film collections focusing on Latin American History and Studies, Women’s Studies, and democratic movements worldwide.
Director’s Bio
Andrea Kalin is the creative visionary and founder of Spark Media, a production company dedicated to crafting stories with a strong social conscience. Her films have aired on major networks around the globe, screened theatrically to sold-out audiences, and earned more than 100 industry awards, including a Prime Time Emmy, Golden Globe and WGA nominations. Andrea specializes in bringing to viewers the emotional front line where lives of courage, perseverance and dignity transcend seemingly insurmountable hardships.
Director’s Statement
Some biographies help us understand broad historical themes, some appeal to the universal emotions of the human experience, while others simply entertain with vivid characters and astonishing events. First Lady of the Revolution somehow manages to do all three. This is a rare breed of epic, recalling hemisphere-rocking events—protests, exile, revolution, war, societal change—all through the eyes of a young social reformer, who also happened to be a Southern belle.
When I first met Henrietta Boggs in December of 2009, I was quickly captivated by her eloquence, boundless energy and indomitable spirit. Even as she approached her 100th birthday, she remained stunningly productive, presenting on a TEDx stage for thousands, crafting articles for the magazine River Region Living, acting as a member on several non-profit boards and as a docent at the local museum, and regularly entertaining an eclectic mix of artists and literary talents at her home. Beyond being amused by Boggs’ sharp humor, I became fascinated with her life’s journey and her improbable marriage to José Figueres, Costa Rica’s little giant, and the dramatic events that would sweep Figueres into the Presidency and Boggs into the role of the country’s Primera Dama, or First Lady.
Henrietta Boggs’s story—what she observed and endured in Central America from early in World War II through her husband’s first presidency at the start of the 1950s—is not just her own, nor is it only Costa Rica’s; this is a tale of deep historical relevance reaching even beyond one hemisphere. Through Boggs’ eyewitness accounts, this program will stimulate a new understanding of social reforms as they happen, exploring the broad historical and political themes that underlie them. First Lady of the Revolution is a singular opportunity to tell an intensely personal saga whose sheer heft and transnational scope are not mere backdrop, but the essence of the audience-mesmerizing adventure, horror, heartbreak and enchantment that defined one brave woman’s experience.
Quotes
“She was a remarkable woman. She dedicated her life to human rights. Whether she was in Costa Rica or in Alabama, her dedication was the same. She had this abiding concern for the rights of people. She strongly believed in democracy, freedom, and the right to vote.” - Judge Myron H. Thompson, Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
“I was honored to meet Henrietta Boggs, a trailblazing Alabamian who helped lead a successful democratic revolution in Costa Rica and served as its First Lady.” - Doug Jones, Former Senator
“Doña Henrietta Boggs shattered the gender stereotypes of her time; a woman who overcame internal and external obstacles and became the master of her own destiny… Henrietta is also a legend, one that speaks to a profound sense of justice and human dignity.” - Roman Macaya, Former Costa Rican Ambassador to the United States
“[Boggs] is a very appealing subject around whom to frame a largely forgotten but compelling story.” - Basil Tsiokes, What (Not) To Doc
“Fascinating…leaves viewers hungering for more.” - Rick Harmon, Montgomery Advertiser
Awards
- Audience Award, Sidewalk Film Festival
- Hoka Prize for Best Documentary, Oxford Film Festival
- Audience Award, Fairhope Film Festival
- Platinum Remi Award, WorldFest Houston
- Best Cinematography, #AMLatino Film Festival
- Spotlight Documentary Gold Award
- Pixie Award for Motion Graphics
- Award of Excellence, Impact DOCS
- Award of Excellence, Accolade Awards
- Three TIVA-DC Peer Awards
Festivals and Special Screenings
- Sidewalk Film Festival
- Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
- Fairhope Film Festival
- Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival
- Oxford Film Festival
- Salem Film Fest
- Women’s Film Festival
- Maryland International Film Festival
- Riverrun International Film Festival
- WorldFest Houston
- MICGénero
- MARFICI
- YoFiFest
- Red Rock Film Festival
- Latin American Film Festival
- Beijing Women’s Film Festival
- #AMLatino Film Festival
- Chesapeake Film Festival
- Seattle Latino Film Festival
- Boston Latino Film Festival
- Georgetown University Latin American Film Festival
- América Nuestra Festival
- Trieste Film Festival in Rome
- Trieste Latin American Film Festival
- San Diego Latino Film Festival
- Central American X Film Festival
- Centerpiece of a special agreement with the Costa Rican government to screen the film with 25 embassies and consulates in 23 different countries to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the abolition of the Costa Rican army.
- Featured film in the Southern Circuit, which hosted screenings and panel discussions throughout the American South.
- Special screening and discussion series in nine libraries in Alabama and North Carolina.
- Featured in bi-centennial programming in both Alabama (2018) and Costa Rica (2021).
Additional Information
- Centerpiece of a SUPER Teacher program funded by Alabama Humanities which organized a professional workshop for teachers to craft curricula based on the documentary.
- Inspiration for the El 48 Virtual Reality experience, produced with the National Museum of Costa Rica and officially supported by the Cultural Ministry of Costa Rica. The premiere was attended by Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado.
- Read Henrietta Boggs' obituary in the New York Times here.
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Jose Figueres courted Henrietta Boggs by taking her on motorcycle rides through the Costa Rican countryside.
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Henrietta Boggs and Don Pepe in 1942.
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Henrietta Boggs in the 1940s.
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Jose Figueres, known as “Don Pepe” in 1948.
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Don Pepe with his soldiers, 1948.
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Henrietta Boggs in 1948, posing with a rifle.
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Don Pepe strikes the wall of the Bella Cuartel military prison in a ceremonial gesture that abolished the Costa Rican armed forces, December 1st, 1948.
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Henrietta Boggs’ portrait as the First Lady of Costa Rica.
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Henrietta Boggs participating on a panel discussion about democracy in Costa Rica, 2014.
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Behind-the-scenes interview with Henrietta Boggs and director Andrea Kalin.
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Henrietta Boggs with director Andrea Kalin and Costa Rican journalist Glenda Umaña at the Washington D.C. premiere.
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Jaysen Michael / Secret Playgrou
Henrietta Boggs was awarded the inaugural Spirit of Sidewalk Award at the Sidewalk Film Festival, 2016.
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Henrietta Boggs on the back of a Harley-Davidson in 2016.
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School named after Jose Figueres in Costa Rica.
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Henrietta receives her honorary doctorate from Birmingham Southern College, 2017.
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Henrietta Boggs receives her honorary doctorate from Birmingham Southern College, 2017.