Paraíso (2003 film)
Encyclopedia
Paraíso is a Cuban/German film
of 2003. It was directed by Alina Teodorescu.
, 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.
Gerald Thomas Collymore
Rafael Ocaña Creagh
Angel Rubio Espinoza
Yoannis Méndez Centeno
/ 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 (Sueño Canino - A dog's dream).
The band presented their music on a tour to Europe in 2005. After their first CD (Paraíso 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) .
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
of 2003. 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 GuantanamoGuantánamo
Guantánamo is a municipality and city in southeast Cuba and capital of Guantánamo Province.Guantánamo is served by the Caimanera port and the site of a famous U.S. Naval base. The area produces sugarcane and cotton wool...
, 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 González RiveraGerald Thomas Collymore
Rafael Ocaña Creagh
Angel Rubio Espinoza
Yoannis Méndez Centeno
Musicians
Madera Limpia developed a unique mixture of hip hopHip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
/ Rap
Rap
Rap may refer to:*Rapping, performance in which rhyming lyrics are used, with or without musical accompaniment ; while an MC performs spoken verses in time to a beat/ melody**Hip hop subculture**Hip hop music...
lyrics accompanied by afro-cuban rhythms and traditional music (e.g. Changui
Changui
Changüí is a style of Cuban music which originated in the early 19th century in the eastern region of Guantánamo Province. It arose in the sugar cane refineries and in the rural communities populated by slaves....
). This blend is often referred to as Latin Alternative
Latin Alternative
Latin Alternative, or Alterlatino, is the brand of latin music produced by combining genres like alternative rock, electronica, metal, New Wave, pop rock, punk rock, reggae, heavy metal or ska with traditional Latin American sounds...
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 (Sueño Canino - A dog's dream).
The band presented their music on a tour to Europe in 2005. After their first CD (Paraíso 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 world wide 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