Macumba dancers spin. Santa Maria, Itapicuru.
Fancy boi dances. Santa Rosa, Itapicuru.
“Quilombo Country,” the award-winning film about Brazilian villages founded by escaped and rebel slaves, will hold its World Theatrical Premiere on Saturday, the 23rd of February [Black History Month] at 8pm at the Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.) in New York City, followed by a Q&A with director Leonard Abrams.
Go to http://www.quilombofilm.com for more information, or call 212-260-7540. To reserve your ticket now, go to http://www.quilombofilm.com/ticketcart.htm.
To commemorate the event and in gratitude to our supporters, we invite all in attendance to a reception after the screening.
“Quilombo Country,” a documentary film shot in digital video, provides a portrait of rural communities in Brazil that were either founded by runaway slaves or begun from abandoned plantations. This type of community is known as a quilombo, from an Angolan word that means “encampment.” As many as 2,000 quilombos exist today.
Contrary to Brazil’s national mythology, Brazil was a brutal and deadly place for slaves. But they didn’t submit willingly. Thousands escaped, while others led political and militant movements that forced white farmers to leave. Largely unknown to the outside world, today these communities struggle to preserve a rich heritage born of resistance to oppression.
The film ranges from the Northeastern sugar-growing regions to the heart of the Amazon rainforest, raising issues of political identity, land rights, and racial and socioeconomic discrimination. Included are examples of the material culture that allow the quilombolas to survive in relative isolation, including hunting, fishing, construction and agriculture; as well as rare footage of syncretic Umbanda and Pajelança ceremonies; Tambor de Crioula, Carimbó and Boi Bumba drum and dance celebrations; and Festivals of the Mast.
“Quilombo Country” is narrated by Chuck D, the legendary poet, media commentator and leader of the iconic hip hop band Public Enemy.
“Quilombo Country” was shot in digital video and has a runtime of 73 minutes. Leonard Abrams is the producer and director.
“Persuasive, complex, and timely.”
– Southern Quarterly
“Outstanding footage of festivals and ceremonies”
– In These Times
“Winner, Best Documentary, 2007”
– Black International Cinema Berlin
Arthur Magazine 