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Paraso (2003 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Paraso' ("Paradise") is a 2003 Cuban/German film. It was directed by Alina Teodorescu.
Synopsis
Using a half road-movie, half documentary style, the film presents work and life of a Cuban band living in Guantanamo, Cuba. The film contains many music clips with well-done subtitles, as well as rehearsal work or live acts. In interview parts the musicians also explain how they develop their song concepts out of difficulties of daily life.
Cast
Yasel Gonzlez Rivera
Gerald Thomas Collymore
Rafael Ocaa Creagh
Angel Rubio Espinoza
Yoannis Mndez Centeno
Musicians
Madera Limpia developed a unique mixture of hip hop / Rap lyrics accompanied by afro-Cuban rhythms and traditional music (e.g. Changui). This blend is often referred to as Latin Alternative or Rap Cubano. The band name ('clean wood') refers to driftwood used as very basic musical instruments.
They sing about youth with no real chances ('Verdad Global'), love affairs (e.g. 'Punto de Partida' or 'Descarga Fula', which is about a girlfriend going away with a tourist), or growing crime and unsocial behaviour in their neighborhood ('Sueo Canino' - A dog's dream).
The band presented their music on a tour to Europe in 2005. After their first CD (Paraso OST) they recorded one more international CD. In Cuba there are also several 'unofficial' or bootleg recordings circulating on the streets, containing more open lyrics than is possible in an official production. German 'Der Spiegel' called their lyrics 'Widerstandspoesie' (resistance poetry).
Awards
The film gained several worldwide awards, mainly on Latin-American festivals, e.g.
* 2004 German Cinematography Award - Editing Award Nomination
* 2004 Premio independiente.doc - Asociacion de la Prensa de Cadiz
* 2005 AluCine Toronto - Best Non-Latino documentary
References
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