Annual Brazilian Film Festival 2019 Kenya Day 1 : FEBRUARIES
September 12, 2019The Brazilian Film Festival kicked off yesterday at the Alliance Francaise de Nairobi. from 7 p.m. in the Wangari Maathai Auditorium.
The event was officially opened by Ambassador Fernando Coimbra, in commemoration of the unending once a year chance to show the people of Kenya sides to the culture of Brazil that they are yet to know of, with the assurance of choosing of award-winning, new, high-quality films sure to arrest attention.
Ambassador Fernando also introduced the outgoing Political Counsellor André Pinto Pacheco, who up until the impending end of his cycle, has been in charge, among many things, of the Cultural department of the Embassy. We got a chance to know the incoming official, Mrs Ilana Godinho Guimaraes.
Afterwards, the movie commenced almost immediately.
Fevereiros ( translated in English as Februaries ) is a film directed by Marcio Debellian. The film was a homage to the celebrated Brazilian songstress Maria Bethânia, as the film depicted the organization and final exhibition of the 2016 Carnival of Rio Championship with was won by Mangueira, the most popular Samba school in Brazil.
WHAT I LOVED
The film was very central in highlighting many peculiarities that I was yet to understand. A very raw eye is thrown onto the realities of religious tolerance in Brazil. Santo Amaro, the hometown of Maria Bethânia, is very tolerant to the Catholic denomination as well as the traditional religion of Candomblé which is Afro-Brazilian and came about in the 19th century, in Bahia, where the first temple was put up.
The film was very vocal in showing how welcoming into her home Maria Bethânia is to the local community of her home town, with scenes showing how the Baianas will prepare with precision and detail to come into the home of the Velosos.
Fevereiros is also very moving as it highlights a never-ending issue of racism, the happiness experienced by the black people of Santo Amaro, and Caetano Veloso was very vocal in backing up the fact that the festivities are only appreciated in Santo Amaro but not in the rest of the country which. in his opinion, is very sad.
 |
| Left: Caetano Veloso Right: Maria Bethânia |
What I loved most about this film, is how it continued to show the fact that the Brazilian people are extremely spirited and full of life, despite the very obvious differences that each one has. There is a sense of unity and camaraderie that the film shows when it opens us to Afro-Brazilian cultures that are still widely practiced in places, such as in Santo Amaro.
The very detail and color that escorts the entire procession in festivities such as the annual Carnival, the Day of the Purification of our Lady on February 2nd, forms the very foundation of what makes Brazil a collage of freedom, love, and unity, as depicted by the people as they prepare for the festivities.
The film has wonderful testimonials from not only the Velosos but also Chico Buarque, Pai Gilson, Leandro Vieira, Pai Pote, Squel Jorgea, Luiz Antonio Simas, Julia Basbaum and Nina Basbaum
Let's not forget how short and precise the film was. I am glad it did not get to a point where the film crew was trying to prolong the film by adding unnecessary scenes so that was a plus for me. Listening to the Portuguese also enhances the authenticity of the events and nothing is lost in dubbed translation.
I would like to thank the Embassy of Brazil in Nairobi for the wonderful opportunity to watch this award-winning gem that is proof of Brazil's prowess in the film arena. For those who missed, you can catch the next film, Coffee with Cinnamon, ( Café com Canela ) on the 14th of September 2019 at the Alliance Francaise de Nairobi from 7 p.m to 9 p.m. It is a free screening.
Posts
0 comments