La Quinceañera Reviews

Wanted to share a review the film got in a library Journal.

La Quinceañera ***1/2
(2007) 41 min. In Spanish w/English subtitles. DVD: individuals: $24.50, institutions: $79.95 (w/PPR). Adam Taub (web: www.laquinceaneradocumentary.com).
In 2003, filmmaker Adam Taub traveled to the Xico colony in Mexico to record the Quince Años—or 15th birthday celebration—of Ana Maria, the youngest of five daughters (including twins) in a struggling single-parent household. Combining family interviews, scenes of daily activities and preparations, and archival clips from previous parties, La Quinceañera presents an overview of this longstanding tradition from an entirely personal perspective. From the Saturday lessons Ana Maria must attend (during which an instructor outlines adult responsibilities and explains the differences between physical and emotional love) to the history of la familia (mother Lili has been sick, and her absent husband is shunned by the clan due to nonsupport, making oldest son Oscar the patriarch), the film covers the big day from all sides: practicing with footmen for the party waltz; first eyebrow pluckings and pierced ears; the makeup, hair, and dress that transform Ana Maria into a “grown” woman; and the church mass (with a surprise guest) and revelry after. A heartwarming portrait (a scene in which Oscar and the older women serenade Ana Maria on the morning of her quinceañera beautifully captures the family’s devotion), this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Williams-Wood)

New Documentary has video teaser

There is a new video teaser for the documentary "El Duque" up on La Quinceañeras website www.laquinceaneradocumentary.com unders Trailers. "El Duque" is the story of Joan Soriano, a Bachata Musician from the Dominican Republic, as he struggles to reach his goal of a hit CD and success as a musician. It is also the story of his large extended family living in the rural countryside of Monte Plata as they dream along with him, hoping that his success will improve their economic situation and quality of life. As a child, Joan's hands were protected by his father from the dangers of agricultural work after it was discovered that he had a talent for the guitar. Immediately upon this discovery, Joan, along with his siblings and other neighborhood kids formed a musical group and began performing for neighbors. Improvising with found object instruments such as homemade guitars, tin can maracas, glass bottles bass, and plastic bucket tamboras, they entertained others with merengues and bachatas that are native to the their country the Dominican Republic.

Joan is now 35 and lives with his girlfriend and son 20 minutes from Monte Plata in the barrio of Villa Mella that abuts Santo Domingo. Villa Mella has a strong Congolese influence and Joan's bachata, merengue, and salsa, draws heavily upon the Afro-Dominican tradition that flourishes in this barrio. Joan has been featured on the "Rough Guide to the Bachata" and on the documentary "Santo Domingo Blues" as well as performed and recorded with big name bachata musicians such as Joe Veras and Zacarias Ferreira. However, at 35 he has not had his own hit and he feels his time running out. At times, he battles with desperation and depression but continues forward with his music and dream. Within the last few years, a music producer named Benjamin de Menil from IASO Records has begun recording a CD of Joan's music. If Joan is going to make it the time is now.

In "El Duque" the rythms of life are played out and the story of a family is written. Saturated with music, Dominican culture, intimate portraits, and the dreams of Joan and his family, "El Duque" provides an emotionally an intellectually satisfying story to those hungry for documentary content.

Lyric Cinema Cafe shows local films

I screened "La Quinceañera" on Jan. 22nd at the Lyric Cinema Cafe in Fort Collins along with fellow Boulder filmmakers and friends John Tweedy and Beret Strong who showed their film "Saya: Dance and Survival in an Afro-Bolivian."

The Lyric Cinema is a great little independent theater that screens great films in Fort Collins in a fun and intimate atmosphere. Run by Ben and Josh, Patrons can buy food, drink, beer, and wine at the venue and the theaters themselves are equipted with theater style seating as well as comfy couches. One of the great things the theater offers is Screenings with local filmmakers on a monthly basis. The relationship between local theaters and filmmakers is an important part in build a film community in a region. This is a great situation for the filmmaker to screen work in fun setting. the film looked and sounded great and they allowed us to sell our DVDs as well. We were in the small theater which held about 45 people and had about 35 come to the screening. It was a diverse mix of people, independent film buffs, anthropologists from CSU and UNC, friends, family, Folks from Bolivia and Mexico and many others. After the film we had a short Q&A and then were able to talk one on one with many of the guests which is a real highlight.


For more info on La Quinceañera visit- www.laquinceaneradocumentary.com
For more info on Saya visit- http://www.landlockedfilms.com/index.htm

La Quinceañera family update

Throughout the past few weeks I have been in touch, by phone and e-mail, with the family who appears in "La Quinceañera"documentary that I produced. It was great to talk to Ana Maria, Lili, and Teresa on the phone. the latest correspondence started a few weeks ago when Ana Maria sent me an e-mail saying that she had found a very nice van in good condition and was wanting to purchase it. During my last visit in August I had told the family that a portion of all festival prize money and DVD sales was going into an account for Ana Maria and the family. Ana Maria asked if she could use some of this money to help buy the van. Well the family now has a van that holds them all which I hope will make life more convenient and help them save money on daily taxis and such. Ana Maria is really the only one of the girls that drives so we joked that her job will now be Chauffeur to the family.

For More information on "La Quinceañera" Visit www.laquinceaneradocumentary.com