“Soy Andina provided a valuable educational experience! This film is truly inspirational and speaks to the calling of heritage connection and preservation, and the way in which culturally specific traditions survive.
” - Tyese Wortham, World Arts West | SF Ethnic Dance Fest “Hi Mitch and Cynthia - thanks for such a great event and performance, you were fantastic!
” - Rock Wheeler, National Geographic Live! “The film, Q& A and workshops all were excellent! I was moved the entire time. You captured the essence of Peru and its many cultural manifestations. I am certain that our teachers would benefit immensely from watching Soy Andina.
” - Mariella Arredondo, Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Indiana University “I showed the film to my Spanish class today. They LOVED it!! A Great documentary for students. AND I used your great lesson plan. Thank you so much for enriching my students more than I could do alone!!!” - High school Spanish teacher in Florida “Thrilled to have seen every moment of this on WGBH. I need to go to Peru! ” - E.Michael Harrington “A joyous film that seeks the essence of diasporic Andean identity through the linked lives of Fulbright scholar and professional dancer Cynthia Paniagua and folklore dancer Nélida Sylva....gives viewers insight into the expression of hybrid constructions of identity
” - Gabriela Torres, Visual Studies Journal “A probing and insightful film on the "immigrant" experience” - Pegi Vail, professor of media and culture, Anthropology Dept, Colombia U. “A great film” - Sylvia Perel, San Francisco Latin American Film Festival “A masterpiece
” - Reflets du Cinéma Ibérique et Latino-américain, France “What a find! The magical expression of life, community, spirit, joy.
” - Gerrie Zommerman, Culturewrap,org “Congratulations on such a wonderful film! This film contributes to our understanding of the experience of migration, cultural identity, and their impact on traditional and contemporary arts. It should become an important resource to college-level teaching in Latino and Latin American Studies” - Dr. Carlos Fernandez, Director, Center for Latino Arts and Culture, Rutgers U, “Congratulations! A lovely film about immigration, identity, and traditions in a global world” - Cecilia Lawinski “A lovely story that touches at the heart of contemporary America: a story of exile and quest for one's origins and identity
” - Abigail Doukhan, Professor of Philosophy, Queens College “A truly inspiring and beautiful film. As a 2nd generation immigrant, I totally related to the quest to connect to roots,and and complexities of such a mission” - Bryan Pu-Folkes, Jackson Heights Film Festival “A wonderful film, done in such an honest and exciting way, with great insight into Peruvian society and its outstanding art
” - Inge Bolin, anthropologist and author: "Growing Up in a Culture of Respect" “A beautiful film, both as visual art and as personal story” - Dr. Sally Atkins, Expressive Arts Therapy Program, Appalachian State U. “Your screening went over excellent. The film touched a chord with everyone present.
” - Adrian Perez, Orlando Hispanic Film Festival “A fascinating, well-made film that explores cross-cultural identity through the medium of dance....SOY ANDINA successfully crosses cultural barriers to engage viewers' imaginations and touch their hearts.” - Barbara Drake, Journalist | http://americaninlima.com “Fantastic... An insightful story about cultural identity and tradition vs. globalization” - Ned Berke, journalist “Until now, Peruvians did not have a document of their American journey; it is a pioneering effort.
” - Olga Millas “There are few works that reflect what someone of our generation goes through in search of identity. This is one -- great documentary.” - Jorlui Sillau “Soy Andina has all those elements that make a film unforgettable. It makes the connection in space and time, the present and the past.
” - Carmen Valdivieso Hulbert, Associated Press “You captured the essence of the dance, the reality of the people.
” - Sara Perez, Bronx Dance Academy “A powerful film of interest to anyone wishing to explore cultures, traditions and roots, and for anyone who's ever asked: 'who am I, and where do I belong?'” - Daria Hajioannou, ethnomusicologist & musician “As an academic with years of experience using documentaries on Latin America, I can honestly say that none I've seen show the intimacy between the camera and the culture that Soy Andina does; it looks at the culture and people from within.
” - Edmundo Morales, Anthropology Chair, Westchester University “I can't tell you how much we enjoyed the film. The two ladies together play off each other so well -- the duality in the relationship, young-older, new-experienced, native-non native are fabulous.
” - Cristina Altieri & Richard Martinez “El documental me parecio muy emocionante, porque te hace vivir sentimientos que tienen muchos peruanos que viven en el extranjero y qeu sienten el fuerte lazo que los une al Peru. Ese amor hacia su tierra, sus costumbres, sus danzas, etc. El documental ademas presenta una vision crítica de la valoracion que hacen los propios peruanos hacia su cultural. La diferencia que hay entre limeños y provincianos. Nos enseña a valorar esas costumbres y queremos mas a nuestra propia culutra y a nosotros mismos ocmo peruanos. Muy bueno.” - Jose Tinoco, Clase Producción de Medios Audiovisuales De la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú “I saw the screening at the Queens International Film Festival and have to say that I fell in love with this film. Thank you Nelida and Cynthia for sharing your story. It was well worth the wait. Cynthia bravo for being honest with your dance. You touch many of our hearts. Your dance at the end of the film was amazing. It’s sad that racism and self-hatred is still an issue for most of Peruvians. Hopefully with sharing some light to it Peruvians will be more accepting of themselves and their beauty. I'm still full of nostalgia. I am recommending this film to every Peruvian I know and can't wait for the DVD to come out. Thank you all!
” - Jenny “Nelida and Cynthia came in the nick of time; their dancing held me through my chronic fatigue.” - Cecilia C. “I lived and worked in Peru from 2005-2007; your film brought back lots of memories, and tears to my eyes.” - Laura “Soy Andina imediately hit a cord since I am also half-peruvian and have had a desire to discover my roots. My brother went to the premiere and loved it. I think it was part of the reason he decided to go to Peru for the first time.” - Tania “Congratulations on the Lincoln Center events. You are an inspiration to all of us in your dedication to your creative spirit.” - Bill Grover “I love that you made a movie that most of the world can connect with...audiences won't forget it.” - Tom Hanlon "I love that you made a movie that most of the world can connect with. The protagonist is so approachable. We were all youngsters once, and her struggles were different enough to be interesting but similar enough to connect with...audiences won't forget it."
Tom Hanlon-Wilde, Equal Exchange “I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Soy Andina -- even more the second time!” - Mitch Karig “I am not Andean and have never been in Peru, but am so glad I saw your movie (at Lincoln Center). I had tears in my eyes most of the time. It was really beautiful and I am glad I learned more about being Latina, being part of this big group of wonderful cultures.” - Denise “The film is amazing.” - Ivan Rebolledo president Bolivian-American Chamber of Commerce“Seeing your film again, after a year, stirred up the same emotions, but I enjoyed this version even more. It is purely delightful to see these two women dance. Cynthia is absolutely charming, both as a dancer and a human being. I am also glad you should us terrific landscapes and food that jumps off the screen!
” - Cristina Altieri & Richard Martinez “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. I really felt connected to to Cynthia, since I grew up in Queens and my son is half Puerto Rican like her...a Peru Rican:)” - Seanna “A great evening (Lincoln Center) and a big success. Glad to see the six years of work finally paying off. Being a movie director is one hell of a chick magnet, I should try it sometime! Congrats on a great turnout and premiere event. Watch out Brandjolina!” - Chris, American “I thought Soy Andina was a really great movie! Congratulations!” - Hiromi Oikawa “Tuesday night rocked! Very professional and heartfelt at the same time. Excellent Q & A too.” - Nicole Gabei “I was really impressed. The film was beautiful to watch, and most importantly, as all good films, one cared about the characters. I've already told a bunch of people that they must see it...I will be proud to own the DVD.” - Miriam “We enjoyed the film immensely!” - Doris “The film was just lovely. I really enjoyed it.” - Lisa Skriloff, Publisher, Multicultural Marketing News “What an exquisite movie....you have captured the heart of a story which speaks to any of us who have "left home." The dancing and music uplift and invite. My life is richer for this brief, yet powerful and lasting connection with the spirit of Peru. Thank you, Mitch, Nelida, Cynthia, and all the awesome folks who participated in this project.” - Claire Mandeville “I felt I was watching authentic Peruvian dancing as it is still done in small towns in Peru, not something polished up for Americans....Watching the stories of both a Peruvian woman who learned these dances when she was learning to walk in a small Peruvian village, and a young "American" dancer who had to travel to Peru to find her dance heritage, was fascinating....” - Joan “As an Israeli immigrant in NY, I could deeply relate. A must-see for every person engaged in a cross-cultural lifestyle.” - Pazit Levitan internet strategist/producer (Israeli)“Me informaron que la presentacion de "Soy Andina" estuvo magnica. Felicito a usted y a su equipo de colaboradores por este avance en la promocion de la obra y en el mensaje que esta lleva. Reciba usted mi aprecio por su trabajo y el testimonio de mi mayor consideracion.” - Gladys Garcia Paredes Ministra Consejera Consul General of Peru in New York“Wonderful. The film had passion that was unescapable. It felt very much connected to the dance culture. Thank you. I would like to show it to my folk dance class for obvious reasons. You captured the flavor of the culture. The two stories of the women and the way they intertwined was interesting, easy to follow, and touching.” - Jana Feinman, Director of Dance, Hunter College “It sounds like the universal reaction to your film, from Peruanos, is that they are so thankful and proud that you celebrate their culture and traditions. I get the impression they don't ever see this portrayed in film.” - Doug
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