 He single-handedly led the Cinemateca Nacional through very hard times but managed to stay afloat until it was finally forced to close its doors in 1986 following the election of right wing candidate Joaquín Balaguer.The Cinemateca Nacional introduced classics from the world cinema to a fresh and enthusiastic new audience.His perseverance and single-minded vision made Agliberto Melendez the undisputed film pioneer of Dominican Cinema.