|
Perspectivas
- a
particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a
point of view; true
understanding of the relative importance of things; a sense
of proportion
Afrotaino
Productions brings the second season of their film series celebrating
cultural expressions with mucho sabor. Perspectivas features
films that capture the blend of Caribbean and Urban sounds that
comprise the legacy of the Afro-Latino diaspora. Afrotaino Productions
specializes in delivering witnesses to the explosive fusion
of Urban and Caribbean music and dance entertainment.
Friday,
September 18 at 7pm
Celia,
The Queen
dir.
Joe Cardona and Mario de Varona, US, 2008, video, 96 mins, color
 This
touching documentary pays tribute to the work of a stellar performer
who brought the sound of salsa to the whole world. As a teenager
in 1940s Havana, Celia Cruz found her audience in the local
canteens. But her real start came when, pressed by her family,
she entered and won a local radio contest. A few years later
she was signed by one of Cuba's most popular orchestras, and
her sultry, gravelly voice became Cuba's most adored. Her trademark
cry Azucar! became
known across Latin America. And when she fled Castro's Cuba
in 1960 and eventually arrived in the United States, she started
a second even more successful career fueled by her partnerships
with salsa greats Tito Puente, Willie Colon and Johnny Pacheco.
Ironically, while she became known as the voice of Cuba around
the world, her once beloved music was banned in her home country.
Up until the time Celia ied in 2003, she was still performing.
She even made a turn in a video for Wyclef Jean's remake of
Guantanamera, the song she made famous.
When
she passed, she was mourned everywhere from England to Argentina.
Directors Jose Cardona and Mario de Varona use archival footage
of both Celia and her loving husband, Pedro Knight, to tell
the inspiring story of a little girl from Havana who became
an international diva. Fans from David Byrne to Andy Garcia
weigh in on this fabulous woman's influence on their lives,
and an intriguing segment explores the cult-like status that
Celia's music enjoys in Japan. Foremost though is the presentation
of Celia as the warm, strong, free pirit who adored her fans
and earned without question her title "the Queen."
-Genna Terranova, Tribeca Film Guide
Proceeds
from Celia, The Queen benefit AMLA
- Artistas y Musicos Latino Americanos.
Free admission IHouse
members above Internationalist level.
$5 Internationalists;
$6 students + seniors; $30 general admission (general admission
available at the Box Office only). In advance at TICKETWEB
or 1/2 hour before showtime at The Ibrahim Theater Box Office.
For
further information on this series and other Afrotaino Productions
events, visit
www.myspace.com/afrotainoproductions.
|
