Monthly Archives:
October 2010

imagineNATIVE film + media arts festival had an impressive line up of films this year. Here is my recap of the films I was able to screen.

Boy
New Zealand
Director: Taika Watiti
Synopsis: The year is 1984 at the height of “Thriller”-mania in the beautiful Waihau Bay on the east coast of New Zealand. Eleven-year-old Boy spends his days idolizing Michael Jackson, talking to a goat, and taking care of his strange little brother Rocky (who has magical powers) and a band of deserted cousins. Boy’s other hero is his absent father, Alamein. But when Alamein suddenly arrives back in town, Boy is forced to reconcile his imagined idol with the reality of who his father is – a childish wannabe gangster just released from prison. This heartwarming and funny coming-of-age story finds hope in the pain of the disillusionment through the optimism and whimsical imaginings of a young boy.

My thoughts: An interesting look at a sport I had never heard of before. What makes this even more interesting is seeing Anne Risten and Enna II race. Anne Risten is quite determined to win and continue racing but her aging reindeer is not able to keep up. A nice introduction to the world of reindeer racing and the bond these animals form with those that train and care for them.

Rober de Jesús Guachetá

(The Work Goes On)

Colombia

Director: Cineminga Collective

Synopsis: In this region of Colombia plagued by drug traffickers and paramilitary squads, Rober de Jesús Guachetá believed in the power of education. At 41 years old, Rober was a visionary. His goal was to build a community-based school where Human Rights and Sustainable Development would be taught alongside Family Planning. An advocate for the people, Rober was committed to exposing corruption within his community. But it was this undeniable crusade for truth that led to his brutal, cold-blooded murder. Intimate interviews and shocking archival footage breathe life into this powerful story of one man’s search for justice.

My thoughts: This film shows the dangerous realities indigenous people often face in an effort to maintain their traditions and teach them to the new generations. Unfortunately, this story is too common in such communities in Central and South America. Guachetá was one of many indigenous leaders who’s been killed in the past decade because they spoke openly about wanting changes in their communities. The locals want to and continue to have control of their education and keep their history alive. Thus, Guachetá’s death has not been in vain. A not-so-short film that I wish the authorities or “powers that be” would see in Colombia.

Y El Rio Sigue Corriendo

(And The River Flows On)

Mexico

Director: Carlos Efraín Pérez Rojas

Synopsis: Since 2003, the Mexican government has been pushing to build the La Parota hydro-electric dam in Guerrero, which would flood several communities south of Acapulco, dislocating the Indigenous people who live there. As many campesinos rise up in opposition to the dam, tensions run high in the communities and violence escalates.

My thoughts: Another documentary from Latin America that shows us the struggle between small indigenous communities and the multinational corporations looking to make another buck. It was great to see some of the elder women talk about candidly about the problems such projects like La Parota bring to their communities. As one puts it, “where do the plan to relocate us?” The government just keeps lying about their intentions to help the locals. “The project has no benefits for us”, says another elder. “Los campesinos no queremos este proyecto.” What is even more tragic is that some of those protesting the hydro-electric dam are being killed; not unlike Guachetá was in Colombia. Of course, the representatives for La Parota project explain it as a benefit to the municipality and community as a whole. What I like about this film is that it shows how organized communities can have their say. It’s also great to see them speak about how they have been living off the land for many years and that they will keep living off this land. The opposition continues…

The documentary, I Don’t Have Time for This: Diagnosed With Breast Cancer When You Least Expect It, follows the personal journeys of 35-year-old Clare, a happily married teacher and mother, Crystal, 34, a vibrant casting director and mother of a toddler, 30-year-old Janelle, who is planning the wedding of her dreams, Sylvia, 25, a young world traveler trying to find her passion as she dabbles in modeling, and recent graduate Claudia, 24, newly-engaged and looking forward to starting a career, marriage and parenthood. These women have too much to live for. Lumpectomies, mastectomies, chemotherapy, radiation, egg extraction, treatment schedules – who’s got the time?

LCCA, CANORAA & ROZINA KAZI PRESENT A CONTEMPORARY ARTS FESTIVAL
“LATIN-AFRO-SOUTH ASIAN FESTIVAL”

October 22, 2010 – LULA LOUNGE – Music, Dance and Video
October 30, 2010 – TRANE STUDIO – Music and Dance
November 5, 2010 – GLADSTONE HOTEL – Music and Dance

In case you didn’t know… “The Latin-Afro-South Asian Festival is a 3-day contemporary multi-disciplinary arts festival presented by the Latino Canadian Cultural Association, CANORAA and ROZINA KAZI that shows the fusion between the different cultures and roots of the Latin American, African and South Asian artists involved and the influence of the multicultural society where they work and reside. The artists’ starting point is their own cultural background and experiences, going through the discovery first, and then the sharing of other cultures, to finally, develop and transform them into a new and original product.

This multidisciplinary festival presents high quality artists within their different disciplines. This Festival will include Music, Dance and Video.

This Festival is about the interaction and influence of the Culture and Art of the 3 communities involved. Involving Music, Dance and Video, trying to find elements in common.”

FRI. OCT 22nd, 2010 @ 7:30 PM – Cover: $ 5
LULA LOUNGE – 1585 Dundas St. W., Toronto (416) 588 0307

Artists’ List

Video screening by Alex Flores (Mexico) and Guillermina Buzio (Argentina), Lucero Milchorena (Mexico) and Alejandro Freeland (Argentina)
SNMFASH Fashion Show
Music by Bruno Capinan (Brazilian Music)
Music by Jacques Yams (African Music)
Music by The Tabla Guy (South Asian Music)
Dance by Mind the Gap (Contemporary Dance)

As you see, Toronto offers up plenty of arts and cultural festivals… Feeling chilly? This is a way to keep warm.

The Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto, The Televisa Foundation and Lula Music & Arts Centre present, Emilio Fernandez and Gabriel Figueroa’s Mexico, as a part of the commemoration of both the bicentennial of the beginning of Mexican Independence and the centennial of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

FREE Admission.

PUEBLERINA (1948)

Director: Emilio Fernández.

Script: Mauricio Magdaleno based on Emilio Fernández’s argument.

Photography: Gabriel Figueroa.

Cast: Columba Domínguez, Roberto Cañedo, Guillermo Cramer, Luis Aceves Castañeda, Ismael Pérez.

Synopsis: Aurelio returns to his home town after serving a sentence for having avenged the rape of his beloved Paloma by Julio González. When he returns he finds his mother dead and Paloma living exiled from the town with her son, the result of the rape. Aurelio tries to marry Paloma and bury the past, but the evil Julio and his brother Ramiro are not willing to leave them alone.

The screening is free, with English subtitles, and start at 7:00pm in Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. W, West of Dufferin. 416 588 0307 www.lulalounge.ca).

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No se pierda la proyección gratuita de la película mexicana “Pueblerina”, dirigida por Emilio ‘El Indio’ Fernández, este martes 19 de octubre, a las 7:00pm en Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. W, oeste de Dufferin).

Con la fotografía de Gabriel Figueroa y las actuaciones de Columba Domínguez, Roberto Cañedo, Guillermo Cramer, Luis Aceves Castañeda e Ismael Pérez.

Sinopsis: Aurelio vuelve a su pueblo tras cumplir una condena por vengar la violación de su amada Paloma a manos de Julio González. Al llegar se entera de que su madre ha muerto y que Paloma vive exiliada del pueblo con su hijo, fruto de la violación. Aurelio busca casarse con Paloma y olvidar el pasado, pero el malvado Julio y su hermano Ramiro no están dispuestos a dejarlos en paz.

La película, filmada en 1948, tiene subtítulos en inglés y forma parte del ciclo de cine “El México de Emilio Fernández y Gabriel Figueroa”, que se está presentando como parte de las conmemoraciones del Bicentenario del inicio de la Independencia y del Centenario del inicio de la Revolución Mexicana, con el apoyo de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores y de la Fundación Televisa.

Mayores detalles en: 416 588 0307 www.lulalounge.ca

*Information provided by the Consulate General of Mexico in Toronto