The first ever Latin American Cultural Festival (LACF), got off to a colourful start at Katara, The Cultural Village, yesterday, with outstanding music shows by Pancho Amat Y Su Cabildo Del Son and Johnny Ventura, from Cuba and Dominican Republic, respectively.
Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kuwari and other dignitaries at the opening performance of the LACF yesterday at Katara
The 10-day event, being organised in association with embassies of nine Latin American countries, features the best of music, dance and film.
Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela are the participating countries.
LACF brings together over 230 performers with the embassies playing a key role in nominating the participants and films.
There will be a total of 15 performances and eight film screenings during the festival, highlighting Latin America’s history and art through an array of traditional, folkloric and modern art expressions.
Exploring the culture of their respective countries, the eight films are from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, El Salvador, Uruguay, Peru, Costa Rica and Venezuela.
“The films were carefully selected based on their representation of each nation and Katara is pleased to offer the platform for the screenings of these epic films, bringing together different cultures in one unique location,” said Malika al-Shraim, public relations manager.
The opening night’s film was Brazil’s largest box office draw for 2005, Dois Filhos de Francisco (Francisco’s Two Sons).
Based on the true story of two Brazilian musicians, Zezé di Camargo and his brother Luciano, the film portrays a modern success story of a very simple man who follows his dream of seeing his children become country music stars.
Tomorrow at 11am LACF will screen the award winner from the Cannes Film Festival, Viva Cuba (2005) which tells a heart wrenching tale of two children embarking on a journey across Cuba in a bid to save their friendship.
Also screening tomorrow evening is Argentinean drama-adventure film Iluminados por el Fuego (2005). The film, which translates into “Blessed by Fire”, follows the tale of a soldier who re-visits a fellow comrade who attempts suicide. The film explores issues around depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on soldiers that took part in the Falklands war.
This film won several awards in international festivals including the Special Prize of the Jury in San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain), Grand Coral First Prize in Havana Film Festival, the Goya of Best Spanish Language Foreign Film in Spain.
The films selected for LACF include Una Sombra Al Frente (2007, Peru) which translates into “Crossing a Shadow” and was shortlisted in 2008 for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film; Llevarte Al Mar (2010, El Salvador) awarded Documentary Production Award in 2006 from Cinergia; El Baño del Papa (2007, Uruguay) selected for the Best Foreign Film competition at the Oscars and Canne’s 3Un certain Regard programme; Una Sombra Al Frente (2007, Peru) shortlisted for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, amongst many others.
Chadi Zennedine, Resident Filmmaker and Programmer at DFI who was appointed as programming consultant for LACF, said: “I am particularly excited to have Viva Cuba, Dois Filhos de Francisco and Tocar y Luchar screening in Qatar as they are very inspiring films that address youngsters who believe in their dreams and make them happen.”
Earlier in the evening, artistes from Circuba, the Cuban circus show, performed at Virgin Megastores, Villaggio, which is Katara’s partner in promoting the LACF.
Circuba is holding three shows today at Katara - 3pm, 5.30pm, and 8pm.
A preview of Familia Assad, the famed Lebanese-Brazilian musician family is scheduled today at Virgin Megastores, Villaggio at 6pm.
Sergio and Odair Assad, acclaimed for their brilliance in the classical, jazz, and Latin repertoires have been described as the “the best two-guitar team in existence” by Washington Post.
They are joined by their sister Badi Assad (vocalist, guitarist and percussionist) and Odair’s daughter Carolina Assad and Sérgio’s daughter Clarice Assad.
The group will present a fusion of cultures, combining Lebanese-Syrian sounds to traditional Brazilian beats.
The group has been nominated for several awards, including Best Classical Composition and Best Tango Album at the Latin Grammy Awards.
Tickets for LACF events can be purchased at Virgin Megastores, from 9.30am to midnight, at both Landmark and Villaggio outlets. They can also be purchased online at www.virginmegastore.me
Fans interested in finding out more about LACF can follow Katara’s twitter (@kataraqatar) and Facebook accounts (https://www.facebook.com/#!/KataraQatar).
