Originally uploaded by ledavida
I used to say "oh, awards are overrated, they don't really reflect the quality or impact of the film...."
I changed my mind.
As Nelida says in the movie:
"Chicha para todos!" (Corn brew for everyone!)
That's Anthropogist Bill Mitchell from Monmouth University on the right. In between, Peruvian angelitos (crafted by artists from Ayacucho) guarding over us.
I'm thrilled to have found Diana Logreira Campos to complete the film.
Editor Ingrid Patetta had to move on to Niger, Africa in March to resume her own film. She did a great job, taking Soy Andina to the rough cut stage and cutting a sublime trailer. (She even studied marinera with Cynthia - now that's dedication!)
So I had to find a worthy replacement — and did, thanks to an introduction by filmmaker Ingrid Rojas at a Docuclub event.
I met Diana in her Greenpoint, Brooklyn studio and was impressed by her background and clips. I liked her enthusiasm. Not to mention she danced salsa, thus carrying on a time-honored tradition that Soy Andina crew be able to burn up the dance floor.
Her bio: Filmmaker/editor/educator from Bogotá, Colombia. Studied film in Havana, Cuba. Made films about immigrants and identity in America: An Outsider, about an Arab who runs a laundromat, and I'm Still the King, about a Colombian who earns a living dancing salsa with a puppet. Recently studied with Martin Scorsese and Abbas Kiarostami at the Marrakech/Tribeca Filmmaker Exchange, and edited Kiarostami's short Not in the Right Time.
You could say Diana worked with Scorcese and Kiarostami, now Teplitsky. Obviously a career on the ascent...
The song "Estamos muy contentos de estar en Llamellin" is beautiful! I will post it on the Llamellin site.
By the way, remember the "saludos" I sent to llamellinos inviting them to contribute to the llamellin site? I got lots of feedback from non-llamellinos, but just one from un llamellino: Walter Vidal Tarazona, the poet and writer from Llamellin. I answered back to thank him and also to share my frustration that he was the only Llamellino who responded.
He answered: "asi somos querida Nelida, nos queremos a nuestra manera telurica."
(That's how we love each other, in our own way)
I thought it was a great answer. I am sure many llamelllinos like the page and many more don't like it because it's kind of personal, telling the story of Llamellin from my perspective. But the issue is that they won't say their opinion; they will pretend they never saw it, even when they run into me.
I'm probably much like my father, who would take the time to give his opinions about things concerning our town - although unlike him who would give "politically correct" opinions, I have no filters on my opinions, like the "bullfight." It's good to share these things with my friends who are ALWAYS giving me their opinions! :)
We've written before about our amigos Bruce Markow and Bev Grant, yet overlooked one of their major contributions — the song about Llamellin they wrote and performed IN Llamellin five years ago. An instant classic, but never recorded. We hope that will change. In the meantime, here are the lyrics in Spanish and and English (the original hand-written sheet is framed and hung in Nelida's family's kitchen in Llamellin):
...and the answer is...
Peruvian-born graphic designer Carolina Choroco, now a resident of Columbus, OH and married to Brooke Smith, who designs and builds reproductions of 18th and 19th century fine American furniture.
We met Carolina last year at our Ohio State presentation (see our press page for articles). She kindly offered her services if ever needed — and I took her up on the offer recently. The results are our stunning new business card below.
Brooke's philosophy — "Combining modern technology and old techniques to create truly pieces of art that will last for generations" — could also apply to the Peruvian dancers, Carolina's graphic design work, and our "Soy Andina" movie — at least we hope so!
If you're interested in talking to Carolina or Brooke about doing work for you, leave a comment below...
This Wednesday, Nov 30, join us at Pio Pio in Queens, NY — the legendary Peruvian restaurant where Nelida and Cynthia first met.
What's the occasion? Nothing special, just the usual — eating polla a la brasa, dancing, carrying on like we shouldn't mid-week, and reconnecting with friends. We'll also be saluting our Queens-based friend Eddie Lozano before he heads to Bolivia for the Presidential elections. But that's a story for another blog, maybe another movie...
Directions for Pio Pio here. We'll gather around 8 pm. Their number (718) 426-1010. I know it's only two days notice but, hey, that's long-term planning for Peruvian events.
The image you see on the top of our website is the work of some multi-talented and generous Brooklyn-based friends:
Bev Grant shot the beautiful backdrop photograph of Llamellin, Peru in December 2000.
The image of Nelida dancing was taken on the streets of New York during the September 2001 Hispanic Day parade, captured from video shot by Bruce Markow.
Putting it all together - the banner as well as this entire rockin' website - is Bud Parr, Mr. "Creative Content | Innovative Delivery."
Be sure to catch Bev and Bruce in their main guises as singer/songwriters - click on their names for upcoming gigs and news.
Congratulations to our friend Jessie Warner for passing the California bar exam!
Five years ago Jessie met Nelida in New York. Weeks later she was dancing in the streets of Llamellin for the fiesta patronal (it's futile to resist Neli's invitations, even when they require 30 hours of transcontinental travel across oceans, up the coastal desert and through the Andes). Jessie's dancing will be on display in Soy Andina.
Another old friend and donor has made a third donation(!) to the project - Shobha George Giordano, National Education Products/Projects Manager for USA TODAY. Even better, USA's parent company, Gannett, will match the gift.
Really grateful for this - and also appreciated the reminder of the mechanism for matching corporate gifts.
To date we've gotten donations from 129 individuals and 3 matching corporate grants: J.P. Morgan Chase, XL Insurance and now USA TODAY/Gannet Co.
My old University of Pennsylvania/Wharton classmate Howard Zeprun has just pledged another donation, which I'm very grateful and excited about. Plus he had a bunch of new fundraising ideas and sources which I'll get cracking on.
So I wanted to thank him here - but equally, his lovely daughter Mei Mei - adapted from China, the treasure of his life, and a big reason why Howard shares our interest in building bridges across cultures.
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