SEPTEMBER 16 SAFE HOUSE SCREENING: Two films featuring Afro-Ururguyan people and culture
Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 PM
Location: Central Cinema - $5.00 admission
1411 21st Avenue (21st Avenue & Union Street), Central Seattle
CANDOMBE
Directed by Rafael Deugenio
16 minutes.Spanish with English subtitles.
More than two hundred years ago, there was an influx into Uruguay of slaves from Africa whom, after being freed, continued to make up the poorest and most marginalized strata in society. Fernado Nunez, a Black man, a musician, and a maker of drums, sees himself as the heir to "Candombe", an important social and cultural legacy from his slave forefathers. The official history and culture of Uruguay, on the other hand, which has never acknowledged this contribution to the degree which it deserves, continues to marginalize expressions of Black culture. Fernando Nunez and his friends from the Barrio Sur back street quarter of Montevideo have decided to fight to keep these important cultural roots alive in the consciousness of the Uruguayan people.
followed by
A DIOS MOMO
Uruguay, 2005
Directed by Leonardo Ricagni. Starring Jorge Esmoris, Mathias Acuna, and Washington Luna.
100 minutes.Spanish with English subtitles.
Obdulio is an 11-year-old Afro-Uruguayan street boy who lives with his grandmother and sells newspapers for a living while he cannot read or write. Obdulio is not interested in going to school until he finds out that the night watchman of the newspaper's office is a charismatic magical "Maestro" who not only introduces him to the world of literacy but also teaches him the real meaning of life through the lyrics of the "Murgas" (Carnival Pierrots) during the mythical nights of the irreverent and provocative Uruguayan carnival.
With a poetic nod to Fellini, Leonardo Ricagni uses the carnival atmosphere to transport the viewer to a magical place where realism and surrealism live side by side in Uruguay—and what a wonderful place to be. With sweeping directorial vision and gorgeously shot with rich, vibrant colors, A DIOS MOMO achieves a rich visual and spiritual sensibility unparalleled today.
– Shaz Bennett AFI Fest 2005
Presented in celebration of the Seattle International Latino Film Festival, September 24-27, 2009.
The Seattle International Latino Film Festival aims to exhibit films that recognize the richness and diversity of Spanish speaking communities worldwide. The broad range of Latino cultural expression cannot be minimized to stereotypes.
.........................................
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Special Events
Summer Youth MusicalBobos
Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center
104 - 17th Avenue South, Seattle
17th Avenue South & Yesler Way - Metro bus #27
Date: August 17 - 23
