Lima, Peru | Saturday 21 November 2009 21:09 | | |
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Yale University has recently released a three-hundred page document detailing a new theory that claims Machu Picchu was indeed constructed by extra-terrestrials. The report comes soon after a U.S. District court's decision to dismiss Peru's claim that Yale be required to return Inca artifacts to the country from which they were stolen, and was written after repeated viewings of "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" (which appears in the bibliography as a primary reference). review by
Ben Jonjak
"La Teta Asustada" is a film about a poor young woman who is, quite simply, having a hard time coping with her own existence. Fausta, played by the lovely Magaly Solier, is a girl who was conceived during the "difficult" time when Peru was plagued by terrorism. In the opening sequence, Fausta's mother sings a song in her native Quechua about her life. Although the melody is pleasant and the sounds of the words are fascinating in their complexity and inherent antiquity, the translated words that scroll across the screen below the elderly woman are simultaneously horrible and desperately sad. Instantly you understand that Fausta's mother is a person who has suffered unimaginable transgressions, and although she proved to be strong enough to pick herself up and keep going, she was not left without deep and painful scars.
In the past movie goers were lucky if they got to see one or maybe two Peruvian productions a year. The inability to finance films in Peru has contributed to the killing of any and all attempts at motion picture production on a major scale. In spite of this, however, 2008 will see 5 Peruvian films set to debut between the months of September and November. This is partly thanks to new talent. New film makers are coming forth every day and we are experiencing what could only be described as a cultural boom in Peruvian cinema. It might not be as big a boom as many might like but it is an explosion none the less.
“Los Choppets se van del País” (The Choppets Leave the Country) deals with the universal thought which has crossed every Peruvian’s mind, be it for a fleeting moment or as a serious consideration. Do I stay or do I go? That is the question which haunts many a Peruvian late at night. “Los Choppets se van del País” allows for us to laugh at ourselves and enjoy what is best of our country.
Circus-theater group La Tarumba's current spectacular is located in Plaza Lima Sur, found in the district of Chorillos. Housed in two red tents behind the shopping complex and next to carnival rides for children, expats will feel right at home in this typical-circus setting. Inside the first small tent, guests can purchase cotton candy, popcorn and more familiar treats. Inside the second tent, however, awaiting spectators is not your traditional circus.
Documentaries are interesting in that they often set out to tell one tale and end up inadvertently telling another. In fact, this is the result that you hope for when you make such a film. Documentaries quest for a truth beyond the artificiality of scripted film-making and, in pursuit of that ambition, some documentary filmmakers will go to extreme lengths to limit their interaction with their subject matter (I’ve heard of some purists who refuse to even open a window to improve the lighting of their shots as it destroys the “truth” of their film).
'La Prueba' (Proof) came with great expectations from the local audience, since it's one of the most recognized and awarded contemporary plays. Being myself a devoted fan of David Auburn's work in theater and films, there's always a great fear when it comes to seeing one of his plays on stage. It's the cast that is so fundamental in character-driven stories like this one, but as soon as the play started I was very pleased with almost everything that was on stage, especially the cast, or most of it.
In reading the promotional literature for this play I was convinced it was going to be pretty lame. Having seen it, I am a converted devotee. I am always amazed at the depth and breadth of the human imagination. Kurt Cobain is known to me only by his death and Frank Sinatra by his life. But Sergio Zurita’s imaginative interplay of these two personalities has made them both understandable to me through the connection they had with their daughters.
Nestled in the bohemian district of Barranco is the Centro Cultural Teatro Mocha Graña. Like with most buildings in this neighborhood, the theater is located inside a two-story colonial house, so at first glance, you wouldn't think it was venue that holds seasonal productions. And the theater's main hall, which is home to the actors who every weekend until July 20th put on "Los àrboles mueren de pie", only seats 100.
By Diana P. Olano
Lima. The City of Kings. The city of "organized chaos". The city that gave birth to the delicious causa rellena, operatic tenor Juan Diego Flórez, and the cajón, a percussion instrument essential to the creation of Criolla music. Say what you want about this city, but you can't say that it's boring.
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