Films and Talks
Films
Children of Las Brisas
2022. Director: Marianela Maldonado
Pálás Cinema. Friday 18th November 6.00pm. Tickets: free, available from Pálás Cinema. Tickets will be available on the door on a first come first served basis so it is advisable to book through the Pálás in advance to avoid disappointment.
A story of resistance, resilience and perseverance that explores the power of discipline and classical music as tools for survival. The documentary follows three Venezuelan children from the impoverished Las Brisas neighborhood, in their quest to become professional musicians within the ranks of "El Sistema" music program. Throughout a decade, Edixon, Dissandra and Wuilly try to achieve a better future as they face the great challenges of the country's dire situation. The Venezuelan crisis makes it impossible for them to accomplish their dreams and in their struggle, they represent a society taken over by an autocratic regime.
Soul Power
2008
Nun’s Island Theatre. Saturday 19th November 2.00pm. Tickets: free. Tickets will be available on the door on a first come first served basis.
This film is a backstage pass to one of the most extraordinary concert events ever filmed. Featuring musical legends James Brown, B.B. King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz and a host of others, SOUL POWER documents the three-night Zaire '74 music festival planned to coincide with the now-legendary and epic "Rumble in the Jungle" between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Much more than a concert film, Soul Power provides a dynamic fly-on-the-wall look into the turbulent proceedings, with on-the-spot commentary from the musicians themselves, concert organizers Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine, Muhammad Ali and boxing promoter extraordinaire Don King, Soul Power will leave you breathless.
Finding Fela
Nun’s Island Theatre. Saturday 19th November 6.00pm. Tickets: free. Tickets will be available on the door on a first come first served basis.
Finding Fela tells the story of Fela Anikulapo Kuti's life, his music, his social and political importance. He created a new musical movement, Afrobeat, using that forum to express his revolutionary political opinions against the dictatorial Nigerian government of the 1970s and 1980s. His influence helped bring a change towards democracy in Nigeria and promoted Pan Africanist politics to the world. The power and potency of Fela's message is completely current today and is expressed in the political movements of oppressed people, embracing Fela's music and message in their struggle for freedom. Directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Alex Gibney (Taxi To The Dark Side).
Latcho Drom
1993. Director: Tony Gatlif
Pálás Cinema. Sunday 20th November 5.30pm. Tickets: free, available from Pálás Cinema. Tickets will be available on the door on a first come first served basis so it is advisable to book through the Pálás in advance to avoid disappointment.
Latcho Drom, a Romany phrase which means "safe journey," is an award winning, unique musical documentary tracing the wandering migratory path of Gypsy musicians in their thousand years of existence in India, Egypt, Turkey, Hungary, Slovakia, France and Spain. It is a beautifully shot musical road movie using vibrant and heartfelt song and dance to convey the trials and joys of the Romany people. Within the film, the many chapters of Roma history are presented through beautifully evocative musical scenes as families and musicians travel through different countries, and presents a rare look at Romany folklore and music. The film won the Un Certain Regard award at Cannes Film Festival in 1993.
Talks
Saturday 19th November - Ruby Room, King’s Head, 11.30am - 4.30pm
The keynote public interview will feature a conversation between Jim Carroll (Editor, RTÉ Brainstorm) with the newly appointed Director of World Music in Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick, Matthew James Noone. This will be followed by an informal panel discussion and Q&A with three musicians performing at the festival.
Panel Discussion: How music moves: Cycles. with Sarathy Korwar, Steve Cooney & Rocío Romero Grau. Chair: Matthew James Noone
This panel discussion will explore the idea of cycles in terms of how music moves us, through migration, spiritual transcendence, musical eras and rhythmic structures. Cyclicity is a thread between all three featured artists on the panel: Steve Cooney has drawn upon circular and spiral notation in his Geometric Visualization system and has engaged deeply with unique temporal aesthetics of Indigenous culture in Australia. Sarathy’s most recent album, KALAK, draws upon an ancient/futuristic cyclical folkloric rhythm where time doesn’t have to flow in a line but can be understood to flow in a circle. Likewise Rocío’s work explores a space of transition between two eras in her installation about the timeless and universal nature of Irish harpist, Turlough O Carolan. This panel will be chaired by Matthew Jame Noone, Director of World Music at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. There will be time given for Q and A following the panel.