Latin American Films at the 29th New York African Diaspora International Film Festival
Co-presented by Cinema Tropical
November 26 - December 12, 2021
www.nyadff.org
BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER / ENTRE FUEGO Y AGUA
(Anton Wenzel and Viviana Gómez Echeverry, 2020, Colombia, 92 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
A The adopted son of a Quillasinga Indigenous couple in southwestern Colombia begins to rebel and drink heavily, frustrating his adopted parents. His spiritual leader gives him permission to explore his Afro-Colombian roots, and he discovers more about his past.
DOCTOR GAMA / DOUTOR GAMA
(Jeferson De, Brazil, 2021, 92 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles)
Doutor Gama is a 2021 Brazilian biographical drama film that tells the history of Luiz Gama, the most important abolitionist leader in Brazil.
PANAMA AL BROWN
(Carlos Aguilar Navarro, Panama, 2018, 62 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
In 1929 Panama Al Brown became the first boxing world champion from Latin America. Panama has had nearly 30 world champions and the story of Panama Al Brown, is where the history of boxing in Panama begins. He Emigrated from Panama to New York in 1923 and eventually became world champion. He then moved to Paris, where he became friends with intellectuals and artists of the time like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, and Coco Chanel.
THE MALI-CUBA CONNECTION / AFRICA MÍA
(Edouard Salier and Richard Minier, Mali/Cuba, 2020, 81 min. In French, Spanish with English subtitles)
In the midst of the Cold War, ten young promising musicians from Mali are sent to Cuba to study music and strengthen cultural links between the two socialist countries. Combining Malian and Afro-Cuban influences, they develop a revolutionary new sound and become the iconic ensemble ‘Las Maravillas de Mali’. New Year’s Eve 2000. Richard Minier, a French music producer meets a former member of the band in Bamako and decides to bring the band back together.
Screening December 3, 4, 5, and 6 at 11:10am at Cinema Village
Streaming Online, December 8 - 12
QUILOMBO
(Carlos Diegues, Brazil, 1984, 114 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles)
After the slave revolt of 1641, groups of enslaved black Brazilians escaped to mountainous jungle strongholds where they formed self-governing communities. This historic epic drama chronicles the story of the most famous of these African enclaves which flourished for several decades under the reign of the legendary chieftain Ganga Zumba.
THE VALLEY OF THE BLACK DESCENDANTS/ EL VALLE DE LOS NEGROS
(Richard Salgado, Chile, 2017, 52 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
In the Azapa Valley (Chile), an oasis in the driest desert in the world, a group of descendants of enslaved men and women brought from Africa are organizing the first African census in the history of Chile. Their aim is to get official recognition from the State that has concealed their culture and African identity for more than 200 years.
MARIGHELLA
(Wagner Moura, Brazil, 2019, 155 min, drama, Portuguese with English)
Facing a violent military dictatorship and with little support from a timid opposition, writer-turned-politician Carlos Marighella organizes a resistance movement. Alongside revolutionaries 30 years younger than him and willing to fight, the revolutionary leader opts for action.
Screening December 3, 4, 5, and 6 at 8:30pm, Cinema Village
Stream Online, December 10—12
A BRUDDAH’S MIND / CABEÇA DE NÊGO
(Déo Cardoso, Brazil, 2020, 86 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles)
The universe of a public school in the northeastern state of Ceará is explored in its potential for social revolution. When the young Saulo Chuvisco (played by Lucas Limeira) becomes the target of a racist insult that goes unpunished, and refuses to leave the school grounds in protest, the consequences of his unruly act affect the entire community. Merging an engaging narrative with a profound questioning on the power of images, the film operates a fierce critique of racial and class discrimination in Brazil, waging on a collective awareness-raising to spark direct popular action.
3 LEAVES / TWA FEY
(Eléonore Coyette, Haiti, 2021, 27 min. In Haitian Creole with English subtitles)
Esther is 6 years old and lives her carefree life as a little girl until her father abuses her. A little music box appears in her life and will never leave her. As she tries to get rid of it, she sees that her mother has one too; but her mother doesn't seem to see them... until she meets the fascinating Farah. Three Leaves. Three women's stories that explore the roots of identity, resistance and sisterhood.
THREE BLADES / TROIS MACHETTES
(Matthieu Maunier-Rossi, Haiti, 2019, 29 min. In Haitian Creole with English subtitles)
A day in the life of a family of three in contemporary Haiti. Child, adolescent, man – each with his dreams and frustrations and each finding a way to live. A day like every other day and everywhere, in every hand, there is a machete. So what will happen when night falls and dreams and frustrations collide?
SILENCE OF THE RAIN / O SILÊNCIO DA CHUVA
(Daniel Filho, Brazil, 2021, 96 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles)
When executive Ricardo is found dead, shot in the seat of his car with no suspects to be found, Inspector Espinosa and Officer Daia are put in charge of the case and soon begin to investigate the people closest to the victim. As everyone involved in the case mysteriously disappears, the situation takes on unexpected proportions.
DENYING BRAZIL / A NEGAÇAO DO BRASIL
(Joel Zito Araujo, Brazil, 2000, 92 min. In Portuguese with English subtitles)
A documentary film about the taboos, stereotypes, and struggles of Black actors in Brazilian television "soaps." Based on his own memories on a sturdy body of research evidence, the director analyzes race relations in Brazilian soap operas, calling attention to their likely influence on Black people's identity-forming processes.
NEGRA
(Medhin Tewolde Serrano, Mexico, 2020, 72 min. In Spanish with English subtitles)
Negra”shows the director in her search of exploring what it means to inhabit Mexico as a black woman. It tells the story of five afro-descendant women from southern Mexico, exposing racism, resistance and processes of self-acceptance, strategies for transcending stereotypes, and the celebration of their identity.
