(USA, 2018) Dir. Guy Ragosta
Synopsis: Join Joe Isaacs (aka Drummie One), and the other remaining original members of the Kingston, Jamaica Studio One (1965-1968) rhythm section ‘The Soul Vendors’ (aka Sound Dimension, aka Soul Brothers): Brian Atkinson (bass player), and Hux Brown (guitarist) as they tell the story of how Rock Steady began in 1966 at Studio One. Also starring Bunny Wailer, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, Stranger Cole, Lester Sterling, Otis Gayle, The Heptones, Jack Radics, Ken Boothe, The Melodians, Willi Williams, and more. This film introduces the last living original creators of a genre of music that has spread around the globe over the last 50 years and has spawned multiple record empires using the Soul Vendors beats without recognition.
(Panamá, Argentina, Colombia, 2018) Dir. Abner Benaim
Synopsis: Latin American icon Ruben Blades was at the center of the New York Salsa revolution in the 1970’s. His socially charged lyrics and explosive rhythms brought Salsa music to an international audience. Blades has won 17 Grammys, acted in Hollywood, earned a law degree from Harvard and even run for President of his native Panama. He lives in NY, where he granted us exclusive access to his life at home and on tour. Critically acclaimed director Abner Benaim takes us on a journey through Ruben’s 50 year career, revealing that Ruben might still have both musical and political ambitions. This is a film about a living legend and his struggle to come to terms with his legacy.
(Venezuela, 2016) Dir. Miguel Delgado
Synopsis: During a political and economic transition at the end of the 19th century in Venezuela, the young Pedro Pérez Delgado (Maisanta), becomes the man of the house after the death of his father, Colonel Pedro Perez Perez. To help support his mother and his sister, Pedro starts working for Colonel Macías but the Colonel betrays his trust and dishonours the family name by daring to court his sister Petra while still married. Shaped by these bitter experiences, the white boy with yellow hair, whom many called “The American” embarks on a journey to become a leader of a revolution of the poor against the newly installed “progress” where Pedro Pérez Delgado would – along with his war cry ¡Maisanta! – become a legend.
(Mexico, 2017 ) Dir. Ludovic Bonleux
Synopsis: In the state of Guerrero, Mexico, forty-three students of Ayotzinapa teachers school are kidnapped by the police. The film follows three activists protesting the disappearances; rebelling against the injustice regardless of the sacrifices and risks – even mortal ones – their struggles may bring. Coni seeks an equitable social structure in the chaos of injustice. Juan, after losing his best friend, goes into hiding for fear of his life. Mario looks for his missing brother to find closure for his mother devastated by the absence of her son.
(Belize, Jamaica, Japan, USA, Ethiopia, 2017) Dir. Hiroki Sugino
Synopsis: Freedim is the result of 13 years of filming Rastafarian people living in Ethiopia, Jamaica, Belize, Los Angeles, and Japan and their unique way of life and thought. The principal idea of the Rastafari movement was originally raised by Marcus Garvey in early 1900 and it attracted African people who were brought to foreign lands as slaves who started considering Ethiopia as their spiritual home. Legendary Reggae artists, such as Bunny Wailer, Luciano, John Holt, Dean Fraser and Triston Palma apper throughout the film as Reggae music spread their ideas and culture throughout the world and became one of the most influential music genres nowadays.
(USA, 2017) Dir. Christopher Coppola
Synopsis: Clara grew up in the jungles of Belize but was sent to live in San Francisco after a mysterious childhood trauma. Her charming, older boyfriend, Gabriel, wanting to help her heal from the past, encourages a joint trip back to her jungle home. Once arriving, the familiar faces and beautiful tropic environment fills Clara with hope for a brighter future. But, she is soon reminded that the jungle has a dark side and begins to realize that Gabriel may have an even darker one himself.
(Cuba, Venezuela, UK, 2018) Dir. Rosana Matecki
Synopsis: In the city of Santa Clara, Cuba, three elderly musicians drift between present and memory to relate their undying passion for what keeps them alive: music. Zaida sings her tired heart out, Bringuez struggles to play the saxophone again, and Cándido, with an impressively athletic form, uses old photographs and magazine clippings to convey his tireless love for life. The Oldies takes a look at the daily work and will of those who were once at the heart of Cuba’s rich musical scene. This film uncovers the young souls of the artists who shaped the country’s culture and offers an intimate and compassionate perspective on life in old age.
(Burkina Faso, 2018) Dir. Iara Lee
Synopsis: A small landlocked country in West Africa, Burkina Faso is home to a vibrant community of artists, musicians, engaged citizens who carry on the revolutionary spirit of Thomas Sankara, killed in a coup d’état led by his best friend and advisor Blaise Compaoré, who then ruled the country as an autocrat for 27 years, till a massive popular insurrection led to his removal. Today, the spirit of resistance and political change is mightier than ever and it permeates every aspect of the Burkinabe life. It is an inspiration, not only to Africa, but to the rest of the world.
(Norway/Poland, 2018) Dir. Weronika Nitsch
Synopsis: A foreign filmmaker invades the life of her neighbour Bjarne, who unwillingly becomes the main character in a documentary about himself.
(Colombia, 2018) Dir. Andres Burgos
Synopsis: Amalia is a cranky secretary living a monotonous simple life until she meets Lazaro, a maintenance guy. His tendency to chaos awakens unexpected feelings in her, so she will create mayhem of her own with the only purpose of having him around.
(Belize & USA, 2017) Dir. Sean Sullivan / 30min / Rated: PG
(USA, 2017) Dir. Dayna Reggero
Synopsis: A recent Wood Thrush geotagging project led to an incredible discovery about its migratory path from North Carolina to Belize. Now, a new film captures the intercontinental efforts Belize Audubon Society and Audubon North Carolina to protect this bird amid a changing climate.
(Indonesia, 2016) Dir. Agustinus DWI Nugroho / 20min / Rated: G
Synopsis: The 1st Dutch Military Aggression to Jakarta, resulted changing the capital city of Republic of Indonesia from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. On 19 December 1948, The 2nd Dutch Military Aggression arose and Dutch Soldiers attempted to seize the City of Yogyakarta. A group of teenagers who were aged between 11-15, Painting students who were called Dullah, documented those moments into dozens of war paintings.
