African-Brazilian Documentary screening in Baltimore

Capoeira Angola

 presents

Besouro Preto

new film award-winning By Salim Rollins

October 24, 2003 -- Nov. 1, 2003 at 7pm

Baltimore, MD -- October 24, 2003 -- On November 1, 2003 at 7pm, The International Capoeira Angola Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the African-Brazilian art known as Capoeira Angola, will present a screening of the award-winning 'Besouro Preto', a new film by Salim Rollins. 

In the northeastern state of Bahia, Brazil lies a region of fertile lands spread around the city of Salvador, called the Reconcovo.  During slavery, the area was recognized for its high yields of sugarcane.  From the small town of Santo Amaro, located in Bahia's Reconcovo, comes the legend of a man steeped in African spiritual tradition, a Capoeirista (practitioner of the movement/martial art Capoeira) who took it upon himself to challenge those who abused their  power.  Some say he was noble, others a troublemaker who disrespected the powers of authority. 

There is no doubt that Besouro Preto (Black Beetle) was a historic figure in Bahia's Reconcovo. But where does the historic figure end and the myth begin? 

Besouro Preto looks deeply into the mysterious world of Capoeira, it's historic evolution from Africa to Brazil, its spiritual/religious traditions, its  philosophy and then into the life of one of its biggest enigmas: Besouro Preto. 

In depth interviews were conducted with some of the most important Masters of the discipline as well as historic and religious scholars.  Few documentaries have attempted to delve into the world of Capoeira mysticism.  Through the stories and historic findings that are revealed, new light is shed on African Diaspora history and African spiritual traditions in Brazil.

Noted filmmaker Gordon Parks served as Executive Producer and Joshua Bee Alafia was the director of photography for Besouro Preto. 

Besouro Preto's screening will take place at Sojourner-Douglass College, 500 North Caroline Street, Baltimore Maryland.  Salim Rollins and Mestre Valmir Damasceno, one of the interviewees featured in the film, will both be on hand and will be available for Q & A after the screening.

For information: http://icaf_bmore.tripod.com or http://www.capoeira.org

Contact: Jason Harris / ICAF-Baltimore Study Group / 2526 Madison Avenue /Baltimore, MD 21217 / Phone: 410-474-4203 / 410-274-2357 / balt_angoleiro@yahoo.com

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Knocking and Kicking (Kugonga Na MaTeke)

Witness African Martial Arts disguised as dance in the United States (The African American Foot Fighting or Knocking and Kicking [Kugonga Na MaTeke] of the African American Martial Art of "Kwa or Ya Asilia Avita Sanaa," Brazil (Capoeira), and Martinique (Ladja).Notice the similarities! The Charleston dance has been traced back to blacks who lived on an island off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina (which is why the dance is called "Charleston"). Many Africans were brought from Angola to the Carolinas because of their knowledge of rice planting. Also most of the Africans sent to Brazil were from the Angolan region where they call the dance the Jinga.

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Besouro Preto (Black Beetle)

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