Casi Una Mujer/Almost a Woman

From a three room apartment in Brooklyn occupied by ten family members, Esmeralda Santiago begins a journey that is both a triumphant struggle for identity and independence and a mother's worst nightmare. Challenged by language barriers, cultural stereotypes, and the extremely protective Mami, Santiago continues the rollicking ascent she began in When I Was Puerto Rican. By day she perfects the role of Cleopatra at Performing Arts High School and interprets for the family at city welfare offices. At night she accompanies her mother and sister to Latin dance halls, but on such a tight leash...