Macunaíma Celebrates 40th Anniversary with
Special Screening at L.A.’s historic Million Dollar Theater
The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles and
Los Angeles Conservancy present a Brazilian film classic
Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Los Angeles, CA. May 14, 2009 — The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles in collaboration with the Los Angeles Conservancy, as part of their 23rd annual “Last Remaining Seats” 2009 series, proudly announces the screening of the award winning 1969 Brazilian film, Macunaíma. A landmark film with as much relevance and critical acclaim today as it had then for it’s comedic, yet harsh portrayal of a Brazil in turmoil, Macunaíma continues to be an important classic work, screened throughout the world at many prestigious film festivals. This year the film brings a Latino element to the popular LA Conservancy film series with a special screening at the beautifully restored Million Dollar Theater located in the heart of downtown LA. The evening will be hosted by Sergio Mielniczenko, Brazilian cultural guru and host/producer of KPFK’s “Brazilian Hour” and “Global Village” radio shows. DJ Mochilla will set the mood before the screening with a fusion of samba, bossa nova, folk-psyck and batucada, forging a musical and cinematic link between the rich cultures of Los Angeles and Brazil while celebrating the best in Latin American cinema.
Co-presented by the Latin American Cinemeteca of Los Angeles (LACLA), the event will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 8 p.m. at the legendary Million Dollar Theater located at 307 S. Broadway Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90013. “We are thrilled to collaborate once again with the LA Conservancy to present such an important film at an equally significant historical theater,” say’s LACLA founder and board member, Michael Diaz. “We are even more excited to introduce Macunaíma to a new audience of film lovers while raising awareness around the critical work both the LA Conservancy and LACLA carry out promoting and preserving cinematic landmarks and works of art.” Despite a capacity of 1400 at the Million Dollar Theater, the night will sell out fast so make sure to buy your tickets now at: www.laconservancy.org.
Macunaíma is a monumental film, considered a cornerstone work in the Cinema Novo movement for its introspective look at Brazil’s cultural and racial heterogeneity, and for shedding light on the radically social-economic differences found between Brazil’s three major races - white, indigenous and black. Based on one of the founding texts of Brazilian modernism, a 1928 Mario De Andrade novel by the same name, Macunaíma was adapted and brought to the big screen in 1969 by famed director Joaquim Pedro De Andrade. An exciting and hilarious film with elements of magical realism, Macunaíma’s opening scene begins with an aged white masculine woman (played by Paulo José who later plays the white version of Macunaíma) gives birth in squatting position to a full grown black male (played by Brazil’s great black comic, Grande Otelo). What follows is a series of comedic adventures for the protagonist from finding a pond that magically turns him from black to white, to his marriage to Ci, a solo guerilla fighting the oppressive Brazilian regime. Although a comedy reminiscent of Monty Python fused with elements of Fellini, Macunaíma is a deeply political film reflecting a dynamic country caught between a harsh military dictatorship (then in full swing) and the anarchic energy of its people. Common to both the novel and the film is the portrayal of a Brazil in continuous redefinition, jumping from fantasy to a modern industrialized land where race, gender, and even one's humanity can all be negotiated.
Don’t miss an opportunity to experience a true Brazilian classic film inside an equally regal theater with great sponsors for the evening including The Walt Disney Company, the Consulate General of Brazil, Soul Brasil Magazine, ¡LatinoLA!, and the Latino Professional Nework (LPN). The evening promises to be a festive celebration bringing together an eclectic mix of cinema and art aficionados and members of the culturally rich Brazilian community of Los Angeles, not to mention old and new members of two great organizations: the Latin American Cinemeteca of Los Angeles and the LA Conservancy. Join the fun and buy your tickets online today!
About The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles
The Latin American Cinemateca of Los Angeles (LACLA) is a cultural/educational organization dedicated to supporting and cultivating every aspect of Latin-American cinema.
For more information please visit www.lacla.org
About The Los Angeles Conservancy
The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization that works to preserve and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. For more information please visit www.laconservancy.org
For media inquiries and/or more information about the event including sponsorship opportunities please contact La Luz Public Relations.
Media Contact:
Veronica Jacuinde
(310) 508-1896
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