Abraham, a Puerto Rican single parent with two boys, is becoming very worried about them living in their rundown neighborhood when one day he notices that escaping Cubans are lionized and given exceptional benefits. He schemes to have his sons washed ashore as Cuban immigrants to be adopted by rich Anglos.
Acting
Alan Arkin's frantic, heartbreaking desperation as Abraham.
Writing
Sharp satire that stings harder 50+ years later.
Director
Arthur Hiller
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Alan Arkin learned Spanish phonetically for the role; Rita Moreno reportedly coached him between takes.
Released months before the Young Lords' founding, Popi captures pre-activist Nuyorican frustration with assimilation's empty promises.
US
