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Kumpana: Flamenco Los Angeles
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Wikipedia article
'Kumpana: Flamenco Los Angeles' is a 2011 independent documentary film by director Katina Dunn. The film explores flamenco, including its origins in the oppressed Gypsy community in 17th-century southern Spain and also the flamenco culture of contemporary Spain.
The documentary focuses specifically on a group of flamenco dancers, singers, and guitarists in Los Angeles, who are dedicated to preserving the art in its original form. "Kumpana" is a Romani word meaning "people who travel the same territory".
Overview
After providing an overview of the Romani origins of flamenco in 17th-century Spain, 'Kumpana' intercuts live performance footage with interviews and opinions from various singers, guitarists, and dancers.Bendel, Joe. [http://www.libertasfilmmagazine.com/lfm-reviews-kumpania-flamenco-los-angeles-the-2013-dances-with-films "LFM Reviews 'Kumpana Flamenco Los Angeles' @ The 2013 Dances With Films"]. 'Libertas Film Magazine'. May 31, 2013. The performers describe what flamenco means both historically and also to them personally, and relate how they came to be involved in it.
The focus of 'Kumpana' is a group of contemporary musicians and dancers in Los Angeles. These performers are dedicated to preserving the 'flamenco puro' style of music and dance closely aligned with its original Gypsy roots, rather than the diluted showy style commonly seen in popular culture.Levin, Rachel B. [http://articles.latimes.com/2012/mar/22/entertainment/la-et-guidefeature-20120322 "'Kumpana' and festival spotlight Los Angeles' flamenco scene"]. 'Los Angeles Times'. March 22, 2012.
Although dedicated to authentic flamenco, diversity is also present both in the film and in the artists showcased. "The dozen-plus performers featured in the film hail from varied backgrounds. Singer Antonio de Jerez is Spanish Romani, dancer Mizuho Sato and guitarist Jos Tanaka are Japanese, and dancer Briseyda Zarate Fernandez and percussionist Joey Heredia are of Mexican descent", noted the 'Los Angeles Times'. 'Shockya' notes that "Gitano, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese and French flamenco, among others" are displayed in the film.Simon, B. [http://www.shockya.com/news/2013/06/11/kumpania-movie-review/ "'Kumpania' Movie Review"]. 'Shockya.com'. June 11, 2013.
The film also focuses on the emotional depth and commitment of both the music and the performers. According to director Katina Dunn, flamenco, like blues, is "an expression of pain or isolation or happiness".Beifuss, John. [http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2012/apr/19/not-merely-a-film-fest "'On Location: Memphis' not merely a film fest"]. 'Go Memphis'. April 19, 2012. One of the film's subjects, dancer Briseyda Zarate Fernandez, commented that flamenco "is unlike any other dance form and unlike any other art form. Its a really passionate, emotive art form that also is very musically and technically sophisticated. So it has the sophistication of ... classical music or contemporary or ballet dance, and then it also has ... the emotive, passionate aspect where you really get to see the inner workings and intimate emotions of a human being."Payne, Sarah. [http://www.gazettetimes.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/the-art-of-flamenco/article_3c5d3564-d1ea-11e1-bc03-0019bb2963f4.html "The art of flamenco"]. 'Corvallis Gazette-Times'. July 20, 2012.
Production
A good deal of the film was shot at the Fountain Theatre, which showcases flamenco every week. Many of the featured Los Angeles flamenco dancers, singers, and guitarists perform there, and they were filmed there in live performance, and interviewed at the theater for the film. Deborah Lawlor, co-artistic director of the theater, is also interviewed.[https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151396655161717&l=bc7ffc32e8 Fountain Theatre Official Facebook page]. May 31, 2013.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2102347 'Kumpana: Flamenco Los Angeles'] at the Internet Movie Database
Screenings
'Kumpana: Flamenco Los Angeles' premiered on October 13, 2011 at the Buffalo International Film Festival, where it won the Audience Award.[http://buffalofilmfestival2011.sched.org/event/7760ac86cdc0b1b4c944a81f4e10794d#.Uc525PmsjTo Buffalo International Film Festival 2011: Thursday, October 13 'Kumpana']. Buffalo International Film Festival. It screened at additional national and international festivals, where it received additional awards, including the Audience Award at the Madrid International Film Festival. In Madrid, director Katina Dunn was also interviewed on RTVE radio regarding the film and the flamenco culture in Los Angeles.[http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/emision-en-ingles/english-language-broadcast-zayda-villars-recipe-for-gazpacho/1437574/ "English language broadcast - 'Kumpana Flamenco Los Angeles'"]. RTVE. June 13, 2012. Many of 'Kumpana'
'Kumpana' had its Los Angeles premiere on January 31, 2013 at the El Cid restaurant's Flamenco Dinner Theatre in Hollywood."On the fringe! Christina Applegate wears festive blouse for flamenco documentary premiere". February 1, 2013.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHDv2wYFp3I "'Kumpana Flamenco' Los Angeles premiere"]. 'Dance Channel TV'. In May 2013 the documentary had its Los Angeles festival premiere at the 16th Annual Dances With Films festival, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.King, Susan. [http://articles.latimes.com/2013/may/28/entertainment/la-et-mn-dances-with-films-indie-fest-16-20130527 "Dances With Films: Indie film fest celebrates sweet 16"]. 'Los Angeles Times'. May 28, 2013.
Awards
*Audience Award Buffalo International Film Festival 2011[http://www.tnonline.com/2012/may/30/palmerton-filmmaker-film-wins-best-documentary-award-memphis "Palmerton filmmaker film wins Best Documentary award in Memphis"]. 'Times-News'. May 30, 2012.
*Best Documentary Award 'On Location: Memphis' International Film & Music Festival 2012
*Best Documentary Award Peloponnesian International Film Festival 2012[https://archive.today/20130708220619/http://flamencoaustralia.org/live/videos/kumpania-we-travel-our-flamenco-journey-together "KUMPANIA: We Travel Our Flamenco Journey Together"]. 'FlamencoAustralia.org.' July 5, 2012.
*Audience Award Madrid International Film Festival 2012
References
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