From my old colleagues at the Film Society...
The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival and the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center at New York present a series of nine human rights films and videos from Latin America, co-presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Cinema Tropical.
The series will open on Thursday, September 22nd with Patricio Guzmán's seminal documentary, The Battle of Chile. Arguably one of the best political documentaries ever made, the film chronicles the nine months leading up to September 11, 1973 -- when President Salvador Allende‚s democratically elected Chilean government was overthrown in a bloody coup by General Augusto Pinochet‚s army.
All screenings will take place at
The King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center Auditorium
New York University
53 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012
Tel. (212) 998-3650
http://www.nyu.edu/kjc
All screenings will take place on Thursday evenings and begin at 7:15pm. All films in original language with English subtitles. All screenings are free and open to the public.
Sept 22: THE BATTLE OF CHILE (Patricio Guzmán, 1976, Chile)
Sept 29: PINOCHET´S CHILDREN (Paula Rodríguez, 2002, Germany/Chile)
Oct 6: DEVILS DON'T DREAM! (Andreas Hoessli, 1995, Switzerland/Guatemala)
Oct. 13: WAR TAKES (Patricia Castano and Adelaida Trujillo, Colombia, 2002)
Oct. 27: THE WORLD STOPPED WATCHING (Peter Raymont and Harold Crooks, 2003, Canada/Nicaragua)
Nov 3: COMPADRE (Mikael Wiström, Peru/Sweden, 2004)
Nov. 10: JUSTICE (JUSTICA) (Maria Ramos, Brazil/The Netherlands, 2004)
Nov 17: ONE OF TWO (UNA DE DOS) (Alejo Hernan Taube, Argentina, 2004)
Dec 8: WHAT THE EYE DOESN´T SEE (OJOS QUE NO VEN) (Francisco J. Lombardi, Perú, 2003)
Ok, the shoot I've been waiting for all summer (or rather winter). Finally, tomorrow. We're gonna do some interviews with Cynthia's family, at Aunt Elena's house. This is potentially crucial, we need footage or at least some sound bytes of her family here. Cynthia reminds me to bring some Inca Kola. Make mental note: add Inca Kola to gear checklist.
...Ok so that's a little dramatic. We are actually in La Merced, a very settled dirty noisy town that is starting to drive me crazy with the noise from motor taxis. For previous two days we slept under the stars and hiked to waterfalls while based at KImo, a retreat center run by Union Biblica del Peru. That made the trip worth it. But now back in so called civilization to buy bus tickets back to Lima...anyway I am restless. We want to do some final videotaping with Cynthia visiting her family this weekend, I've been waiting all summer (winter, here) to do this. As usual it's unclear if we will actually do it until we do it, since plans always change and I usually can't reach her by email or phone until the day before. Next week I return to NY and I am ready. All this waiting around here is driving me crazy and my energy and focus are waning. I expect it will pick up when I return to USA.
We fended off the tour guides around the plaza of La Merced and decided to travel independently to see some of the sites in the region. Flagged down a combi heading to Pueto Yurinki, 90 minutes into the valley. Then a taxi cholo (a motorbike taxi) 20 minutes up a dirt road to the waterfalls of Bayoz. Immersed in the natural pool, looking up at the green valley, was a sublime moment. Only other people there were a local family from San Ramon - and two hefty white men from Mississippi, on a mission to work with orphaned children in Peru. Their hometown in Natchez, MS had taken in 300 refugees from the New Orleans disaster....need to get back to Lima by Friday. Planning to pack up the tapes for the return to the USA.
Writing from La Merced in the lush Chanchamoyo Valley, gateway to the Amazon east of Lima. Left Tarma in the highlands at 2 pm...then a 90 minute breathtaking descent through the canyons into the jungle. From coast to mountains to jungle in 7 hours, amazing.
Of course here like everywhere we encounter Internet cafes everywhere, especially around the central plaza. and they are full, all the time! 1 sole (30 cents) for an hour out here...I can't use my travels through Peru as an excuse for not blogging, there are more Internet cafes here than Starbucks in New York.
I’ve been hardly blogging and I’m not sure why. I mean there’s plenty of interesting things going on to write about. I keep thinking this is like flossing. It takes just a few minutes, it feels great after I do it. But I hardly ever manage to sustain the habit for more than a few days. I write to my friend and web/blog consultant Bud Parr, sort of sheepishly confessing I’ve fallen off the blog bandwagon.
His succinct reply was right to the point:
“Blog man, blog!”
Thank you Bud. Now I have a blog entry. And I’m reminded to make an appointment to have my teeth cleaned here - it’s like 1/20th the price compared to New York.
Actor Sean Penn recently traveled to Iran and filed an excellent 5-day series on his impressions for the San Francisco Chronicle. Accompanying him was Reese Ehrlich, the journalist who did the radio story about Cynthia for NPR’s Latino USA. So I guess you could say we’re 1 degree of separation from Sean. Or maybe 2, I’m not quite sure how that goes.
In any case, Reese and I have stayed in touch and we’re now putting the finishing touches on a couple of story pitches for the PBS documentary series Wide Angle. One’s a story about next year’s Presidential elections in Bolivia. The other explores the battle between indigenous people and land and development n the Peruvian Amazon.
Whatever the outcome - and if it’s one thing I’ve learned, reject is the norm in this documentary biz - it’s been great to work with Reese, a real pro with serious credits. And if Wide Angle doesn’t bite, we might be able to these tories to other outlets.
I’ve build this tremendous network of contacts and access in Peru, and I’d sure like to do more work there.
I was invited to participate in an ayahuasca healing session in Lima organized by a trusted psychologist. I’m intrigued. They say it can help break through internal worries and obstacles. My source of internal anxiety remains fundraising. Could ingesting a hallucinogenic Amazonian plant help raise funds?
Cut through the unconscious beliefs that limit my ability to ask for money?
OK I’m being slightly cheeky here but then again...I start to do some research on the net. And find this description from a new user:
“You think you’re dying, being devoured to the clean-picked bone by a school of rainbow piranhas, submerged in the hell-realms suffering brutal tortures and repeated dismemberment”
Hmm, perhaps I will stick with more traditional methods like direct mail after all....
But I do pay attention to synchronicity. And it so happens I’m doing this research at South American Explorers Club, and sitting across from me is a guy leafing through a copy of a book on ayahuasca. His name is Eric, a musician from the USA traveling in Peru. A soft-spoken, thoughtful nice guy. We strike up a conversation and I give him the Soy Andina website. Couple of days he emails me this:
“What a wonderful gift to the world! I have a deep love and respect for traditional music and dance. Projects like Soy Andina reach deep into the wellspring of indigenous culture that dissolves boundaries and connects us all. Nothing brings people together quite like music and dance. It´s food for the soul! “
Hmm, that’s about the best anyone’s ever put it. Eric gives me permission to use this quote in an eNewsletter. Reactions like this re-infuse my enthusiasm for the film and for the fundraising. No kidding.
For you Spanish-speaking readers, this letter from Nelida really reflects her passion and values, something I hope we have captured in the movie.
Carta abierta al Peruvian Parade, Inc, presidido por el Sr. José Moore
DESFILE PERUANO EN PATERSON: ORGULLO O VERGUENZA
Here's the Broadcast of Cynthia's recent story on NPR's Latino USA (thanks to Latino USA for permission to post this file)
Jen posted this comment to a recent blog entry:
Wow this documentary is amazing!!I think this documentary is hitting home for me mainly because my heritage and culture is something I have always felt strongly about. Although it was my parents who originally came from Peru, I know my heart is in that country. I lived in Peru 2 years and have just recently moved back (for now, I eventually plan on returning to live there) but but whenever I hear Peruvian music or dances I become incredibly nostalgic and home sick. Thanks!
I set this up a few months ago, and now it's happening - a presentation to the biggest expat network in Peru, the American Canadian Association of Peru (ACAP). Hoping to create or build upon some relationships that might lead to funding, though I won't be passing the tin cup here! Just an intro. And if that doesn't happen, it's still a way to get more involved with the expat community here. And have a nice meal besides! Plus nice article in their print and online publication. Here's their blurb:
Thursday, July 14, 8 pm
Restaurant Night with Mitch Teplitsky
This month's ACAP Restaurant Night will bring members together at the posh Club Empresarial in San Isidro, where we will be delighted by the treats from the kitchen, and also entertained by New York film producer Mitch Teplitsky, who will speak about his documentary “Soy Andina” (see interview below). Mitch will discuss the origin of the film and its importance for Peru and will tell us about some of the challenges and rewards he faced while working on location in the Andes, in Lima and Peru's northern coast. Dinner guests will be priviledged to preview scenes from the soon-to-be released feature and, following his presentation, will have the opportunity to engage personally with Mitch, who recently became an ACAP member. So mark your calendars for July 14th this is another ACAP dinner you won't want to miss! The cost for the three course meal is S/.60 for members and S/.70 for non-members. The Club Empresarial is located at Via Principal 165, Torre Real 3, in San Isidro, right beside the Swiss Hotel (Swissôtel).
To reserve your place for this special event, call Linda and Andrea at 222-6359.
Interview below:
Still in New York. Contemplating whether I'll have room in my bag after all for insulated bag of bagels, lox and/or pizza. But I digress. Day after arriving I give a presentation at South American Explorers. Here's Explorers's blurb:
July 6th
Documentary Soy Andina
Dance is the main narrator in Soy Andina, a film exploring cross roads of intercultural exchange ,by medium of traditional and contemporary dance throughout Peru www.soyandina.com. Scheduled to release in the United States late summer 2005, join SAE with Director Mitch Teplitsky for a preview of the film not yet available to the general public. Following this screening will include a question and answer forum with the director himself. This Presentation will be in English. See you there, 7pm sharp!
July 13th
Habana, Cuba’s, 4th Annual International Congress on Art and Culture
Learn more about Cuba’s, 4th Annual International Congress of Art and Culture www.cultydes.cult.cu through the eyes of participant Carlo Brescia. Editor of Huaraz based Art & Culture magazine Peripheria, Carlo participated in this years forum representing his development projects in Peru which such as the Magazine, as well as future projects which include research & restoration of the Pan American Highway and a Pre Columbian instrument Museum in Huaraz. This presentation will be in English with first come first serve Mojitos! See you at 7pm sharp!
July 20th
Intro to Latin American Dance- Cumbia, Merengue and Salsa!
Latin American culture is filled with music and dance. Why not learn the basics steps to these invaluable and varied dance forms such as Cumbia, Meregue, and Salsa while living or traveling in South America! Join us at the club for this fabulous introductory class with dance teacher well known throughout the Lima expat community. This class will be in English and Spanish. Don’t miss it! See you on the dance floor, 7pm sharp!
I'm scrambling to get things done before returning to Lima. Just for fun and posterity, my "to-do" list I've been carrying around last couple of days on index card in my wallet (a "hipster" PDA, can you believe some of the bloggers call it?)
- Pick up laundry
- Mail Richard's donation to F/VA
- Mail rent check
- Buy favorite Pilot G-2 pens (couldn't find them in Lima)
- Freeze health club membership
- Cancel T-Mobile wi-fi (my lifeline to Internet)
- Cancel Boingo (my second lifeline)
- Go to Zabars, buy insulating bag, for....
- Buy pizza, bagels, lox to show Doris what NY food is
- Buy contact lens fluid, the brand I can't get there
- Call mom, Dalia
- Mail receipts for final insurance purchase
- do this blog
If you had any illusions about the "glamorous life" of a filmmaker, entries like this will help you get over it!
De Doris, una Llamellina que se fue anoche...
Finalmente pude llegar a la presentacion de los videos. Y mire el video "esperando milagros" y otra "quiero volver."
Fue interesante porque la comestarista Gisela Canepa, se refirio a Soyandina como "mas sofisticado y promete mucho" esto porque participan dos protagonistas..... y bueno tambien estuvo interesante el conversatorio en tanto se hablo de migracion, identidad...
Lo de el primer video, no llegue a verlo, y el de Ulla, fueron catalogados como mas de colectivo. Y los de soyandina y "quiero volver" como mas biografico....
En mi comentario, pues la de Ulla es interesante, es mas significativo cuando ella comenta que el solo echo de ver el video. Es decir es mas rico cuando se entra en discusion y analisis que el impacto solo del video.
Y el de quiero volver, pues es mas simplista, es la historia de una chica que con argumentos de reencuentro, se dan los reencuentros pero no hay una reflexion, una esencia muy profunda. Es un chica de ciudad de Lima, quien tiene recuerdos especificos de personas, de comida... sirve mucho para analizar el desencuentro que tiene.
Pienso que me ayudo mucho para ir viendo esta cuestion de la identidad, como un proceso permanente y sobre la inmigracion, la adaptacion activa y tantos puntos, las fiestas culturales....... y las opiniones de Gisela son interesantes, tienes que conectarte con ella.
Pienso que soyandina tiene mayor impacto fuera, en Peru la gente tambien hay migraciones, pero no hay todavia un tiempo, espacio para analizarlo y reflexionarlo por los mismos inmigrantes, sino esto es asunto de academicos, investigadores.
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PERUVIAN DANCE CLASS
Ballet Folklorico Peru (Paterson
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BOOKS
Faces of Celebration: Photographs of Peru
The Guinea Pig: Healing, Food, and Ritual in the Andes
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DOC FILMS
South American Explorers - Peru
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NEWS (in English)
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