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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 |
