Did you see the film? This is the place to share your thoughts! Click the "Comments" link at the bottom. Thanks.
"Everyone in my party − teens from 3 different continents − really enjoyed the film and commented on how passionate and beautiful it was. Each of the kids at some point said "Hey! - It's like that in my country too!" - then related a story about their own countries...it was amazing. They completely connected with the story and the experiences of Neli and Cynthia."
- Angela Fuhrken, Young Life
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"I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the film, the dancing, and all of the wonderful energy in the room."
− Marjorie Nass, yoga teacher
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"Now I realize what a crazy man you are, to have made your first film (as producer AND director) in the Andes. Whew, baby, it's like deciding to learn to walk a tightrope while already on a wire strung between the Empire State and Chrysler buildings!"
− JK Canepa, community activist, More Gardens
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"I really liked it....both characters seemed larger than life, so much intensity and passion."
− Carlos Guitierrez, co-founder/director, Cinema Tropical
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"You were able to show the feeling of Peruvian dances and of both characters. You should keep doing documentaries."
− Vania Milanovich
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"The film came together very well − it was obvious that tons of deliberation went to every cut. The story was tight, the characters clear, and the end result seems to hit your audience exactly the way you always hoped that it would...I was so impressed to see such a huge packed theater and such thoughtful and moving conversation after."
− Jay Sterrenberg, director, "Bolivia"
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I loved the movie! It actually moved me to tears a little bit! Maybe I was a little extra emotional, but there was just an incredible energy in that room, and the Q&A session afterwards was very cool too. Many of my friends are Peruvian and they absolutely loved it as well. You really captured a very special story that so many people can relate to
- Rachel Caplan
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"Well done! I enjoyed the film, but was a little sad not to see more of Neli and the Fiesta Patronal in it."
− Antoinette Maclachlan, massage therapist and Ghandigiri
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"A great first film."
− Cecilia Salvatierra, Ph.D. Anthropology, CUNY Grad Center
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"Thanks for a lovely evening. I really enjoyed it! The film and extras all made for a great screening event!"
− Agnes Varnum, documentary film consultant
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"We loved it! Had so much fun and learned so much about Peru!"
Ricki Grater, Shanti Space Psychotherapy ~ Dance-Movement Therapy
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A couple of friends from the International Center were a little disappointed not to see more of Nelida and her preparation & hosting of the fiesta. Some of them saw the raw material when you showed it at the Center last time and expected to see the continuation of that version. One asked what happened to that original version. All I can tell him was, I will ask you and let him know!"
− The Jennster, ThinGyan, Burmese Arts & Culture
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" I am writing to thank you for such a wonderful film you, Cynthia and Nelida put together. My parents and I immigrated from Peru some 23 years ago and we know first-hand the struggle immigrants undergo when making such a life-altering change. Your film hit close to home.
We were choked up throughout the entire film. Even though we travel to Peru every year or so, we only get to travel for a short time and we do not get to see most of our family outside of Lima - "Soy Andina" showcases so many different little "provincias" of Peru, it was almost as if we had visited all of our relatives that we haven't seen in a long while - And believe-you-me, we have a BIG family.
We own a Peruvian restaurant in Kearny, NJ. I have put my heart and soul into this restaurant much like you have with your film. I would be honored if you, Neli and Cynthia would join us for dinner with our compliments...no if's, and's or but's, please. This is my way to give back to you for helping spread the word of the rich culture of Peru."
− Juan Placencia, "Oh! Calamares" restaurant, Kearny, NJ
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"The film was really uplifting, culturally enriching, and fun!"
− Danielle Zambito, jewelry designer
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"A magnificent tribute to cultural re-awakening."
− Rick Vecchio, Fertur Tours
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"Quite a night! - The movie was sweet, sad, funny and hopeful."
− Mitch Karig
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"I thought the film was wonderful, heartfelt, worthy, and important to so many people in the immigrant community (that's all of us when you look at it historically)...
I was a little put off by the time-line thing, kind of blending Cynthia and Nelida into the same time frame. That felt weird to me, but I'm not sure others would feel that way who didn't know when Cynthia appeared on the scene...
I liked the e-mail device, both as a way to explain the story, and also as a reality as to how modernization touches the most remote places...
I think it tells the story you wanted to tell from the very beginning. I know you were hoping that Nelida and the festival would be the vehicle for that, but I don't think it ever would have done it if Cynthia hadn't come along. She is so articulate in her own 'goofy ghetto way,' so animated − and a beautiful dancer to boot."
− Bev Grant, singer/songwriter/cultural activist
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"A stunning and life-affirming experience!"
− Anne Libby, yoga teacher/managment consultant
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"It was so fun to see the cultural snapshots of Peru and its beautiful landscape. I wanna go! "
− Michelle Coe, Women Make Movies
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"You have given from your heart and there is nothing stronger. Allow the film to flow as a wonderful gift to those who see it, and for you to start to enjoy the ride without expectations."
− Dalia Allon-Meeter
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"The film looks great, you made it! I cried twice in the film and got very moved by the comments of people."
− Fernanda Rossi, film story consultant
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"A wonderful night. Everyone loved it."
− Cindy Arlinsky, professional organizer
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"I was delighted with the reaction of my friends that came to see the premiere, none of whom were Peruvian, and they were so touched by the film which just proves how people from all cultures can really relate to this story. Many friends wanted to see more of Neli and Llamellin and I think that is great! Much better that they want to see more rather than less of Neli! I think Neli's presence is really strong in the film while Cyntha's character had more conflicts, she was developing and discovering, while Neli comes across as a lot more grounded, however I do feel that both were needed to tell this story. The way you used the correspondence between Neli and Cynthia was really key to combine their stories and really worked wonderfully!
The idea to include more Llamellin footage with the DVD is a great idea, I think it is great that the audience wants to see more of Neli and Llamellin because they can; This is not fiction, so through the Ballet Folklorico Peru and Llamellin websites the audience can search Neli out and visit Llamellin. This is a real opportunity to take things further − promoting Peruvian folk dance and Llamellin through websites, blogs, talks, write ups, etc..."
- Leda Duif, Arequipa Health Clinic Project
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"A masterpiece!"
(Drats, I didn't get the name of the person who told me this after the screening...but she seemed serious! − Mitch)
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"I really had a nice time and loved seeing the film. Mazel Tov!"
− Steve Mendelsohn, executive director, Project Rebirth
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"Wow! We really enjoyed it! Renee, our 15 year-old daughter, is absolutely ready to take Peruvian dance class. Me, too!"
− Amy Drezner, Morgenstern & Associates
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"Everyone seemed so engrossed and "into" the film. My friend's Peruvian boyfriend was commenting throughout the film − 'I've been there,' 'I used to go to that school,' 'I know that place,' etc. It really seemed to strike a chord."
− Gary Tracy, Optometrist
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"A week later, and the film has really stayed with me − a sign of it's power. It's an inspiration."
− Mehr Mansuri, artistic director, Children's Theater Company
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Soyandina: My name in the ancient quechua language of Peru means clarity, transparency, diamond…. I am also a free lance Andean vegetarian nutritionist-ecologist, profession that I acquired here in USA…..I have a 28 year old son born in NJ, a former US Marine that travels to Peru every year! ....I applaud all efforts to encourage ethnic pride needed to strength our sense of self-esteem, competence, and to learn to love and embraced one another. Thanks to this movie, we all felt all that love in the air...We are inspired!
Reqsikuk, thanks, gracias - Ana Maria QUISPE
– (02/24 at 01:43 PM)
This dialogue has been interesting and heartfelt. I thought that Nelida comes off grounded and strong. Very clear. I think that the additional footage added to the DVD will strengthen her role. Cyththia also shows herself to be confused and seeking - so the remarks she makes about time and disorganization in Peru are taken as such.... Perhaps in the DVD there could be an additional interview with Nelida, or voice over with footage, that addresses thoese issues that Nelida raised in her e-mail. As for the pregnancy...well, everything said resonates...yet that is what happened. ... I think you did a great job with interweaving two realities that intersect in many vital ways.
- With great respect, Diane
– (02/25 at 09:55 PM)
Although a week & a couple of days late, I still wanted to say how much I enjoyed the film last Friday. And the wonderful thing is that I brought along 2 friends, each of whom related to the film and the characters in their own way, and both raved about it afterwards. And the surprise performance and Q&A;were a wonderful way to wrap up the evening! - Lizzie
– Elizabeth Asher (02/25 at 11:46 PM)
FINALLY ! What I was eagerly waiting for in Lima! Coments on the film and news on the success of the viewing!
MANY, MANY CONGRATULATIONS FROM PERU!
And we hope to see you back here VERY soon!
– Paola Pomposini (02/26 at 06:45 PM)
This was a very well done movie. For me, it depicted two women from opposite ends of the spectrum: 1) Nelida who started from very simple roots in Peru and immigrated to the US and 2) Cynthia who started in the US and wanted to learn her roots in Peru.
Well done! A must see for those who want to better understand, reconnect with, and/or retain their roots and cultures.
– Stefan Doering (02/26 at 08:10 PM)
Thank you all! Very meaningful comments. Sometimes I struggle to find words to describe the story and impact of this movie, and then everyone just says it so clearly.
Paola: I’ll be back in Peru around March 16. Just can’t get a decent chupe de camerones here. And it’s too cold here! (the weather, not the chupe)
Jennster: SA dramatically changed from the version we showed, what, 3 years back...in the BC era (before Cynthia). It’s actually common for unscripted personal docs to take completely new turns and morph into something else. For me the movie got richer, more complex. Two perspectives (I like how the last commenter Stefan put it, “from opposite ends of the spectrum"). The thing is, most people don’t follow the process of a movie over so many years. They just see the end result and decide they like it or not. I guess your Int’l Center friends weren’t on the mailing list so weren’t aware of the process, the changes (as you know i did try to keep the community in the loop). It’s certainly understandable that Neli’s closest friends wanted more focus or time to spend with her on screen. Just couldn’t fit it all in. But there’s the DVD, we’ve got more neli and fiesta to share…
– Mitchell Teplitsky (02/27 at 03:59 AM)
los felicito por tan exelente documental, lo he visto esta semana en mi cuidad Arequipa-Perú y me emociono muchisimo, es un gran documental y se nota la pasion q pusieron en hacerlo! great job!! was simply amazing! :D
– (04/13 at 12:57 PM)
I just got back from a screening of “Soy Andina” at Lincoln Center. What an inspirational, moving film! I was on the verge of tears throughout the entire screening (happy, proud tears) I was born in Peru and grew up in NY. Your film made me miss my country and reignited the desire to share my culture with my son. Thank you Mitch! By the way, any updates on Cynthia? I really liked her character and a small part of me felt connected to her since I grew up in Queens and my son is half Puerto Rican like her...a Peru Rican 
– (09/12 at 01:48 PM)
ASISTI CON MI FAMILIA AL LINCOLN CENTER Y QUEDE MUY ORGULLOSA DE SER PERUANA Y CON SANGRE ANCASHINA (POR MIS PADRES)DISFRUTE MUCHO DE LA PELICULA FELICITACIONES Y GRACIAS POR EL MARAVILLOSO TRABAJO QUE HAN HECHO;YA TENGO LAS RESERVACIONES PARA EL FESTIVAL FOLKLORICO EN CUNY
– (09/21 at 03:54 PM)
EL ESPECTACULO FUE UN ESPECTACULO. EL LICOLN CENTER RETUMBO CON LA MUSICA PERUANA Y LA PRESENCIA NO SOLAMENTE DE PERUANOS SINO TAMBIEN DE MUCHAS NACIONALIDADES. ESTO NOS ENCANTO A MI FAMILIA Y A MI. EL TRABAJO QUE HAN HECHO HASTA HOY ES INTACHABLE, ESPERAMOS QUE NOS DELEITEN CON MAS PRESENTACIONES. NUEVAMENTE ESTAREMOS APOYANDO EN CUNY EL VIERNES 28 DE SEPTIEMBRE. GRACIAS NUEVAMENTE POR HABERNOS HECHO RECORDAR NUESTRAS RAICES.
– (09/21 at 04:00 PM)
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