The backstory of how Testamento came to the United States is one of those accidents of fate. I was in Cape Verde in l996 on a research project at the same time the production of Testamento was underway in Mindelo, Sao Vicente,the city where my daughter and I were living. I recognized the high production value of the shoot, and liked the fact that it was based on a Cape Verdean novel by a Cape Verdean writer, and that it was shot in Cape Verde. Further I felt it was a story that had universal appeal for both the Cape Verdean and the American audience. A successful theatric release would increase the public awareness of Cape Verde, Cape Verdean literature, and expand the educational opportunities to talk about the history, language, culture and communities in America and the Diaspora.
Since the theatric debut in the USA in 1998, Testamento has gone coast to coast, from Boston to New York to LA, and points in-between; Canada theatric and television, SBS-TV, Australia, HBO/Cinemax, Starz/Encore, and national DVD release through Winstar/Wellspring(now Genius Productions)