NBAF is proud to partner with the Consulate General of Brazil to present Brazil Fest Atlanta 2011, September 20-24. The annual event celebrates Brazilian culture through thought-provoking conversations, entertaining cultural events and programs.

“NBAF is proud to support and be an active partner in Brazil Fest,” says CEO and President of NBAF, Neil Barclay. “We are extremely excited about Brazil Fest and the full range of events and programs.”

NBAF will present a provocative Round Table Discussion–Art and Culture as a Catalyst for Social Change on Wednesday, September 21, 2011, from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm, at the Carter Presidential Center. This event is FREE and open to the public, but preregistration is required, call 404-224-3464 to register.  Participants in the Round Table include:

Moderator: James Early, Director of Cultural Heritage Policy, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage of the Smithsonian Institution

Panelists:

Shelia Walker, Ph.D., Cultural Anthropologist, Professor and Expert on Diversity and Social-Cultural Development

Minister Luiza Bairros, Minister of State

Esther Sanchez, Council of Brazilians Abroad

Silvana Magda, Brazilian Artist and Arts Administrator

NBAF and the Brazilian Consulate will also host special screenings of two provocative films that chronicle and celebrate the life, struggles and culture of Brazil. Screenings will be held on September 21^st, 6:30 pm – 9 pm, at the Southwest Arts Center on 915 New Hope Rd., SW, in Atlanta. Advance tickets are available for the screenings at NBAF.org; $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Quilombo (1986)

Palmares is a 17th-century quilombo, a settlement of people who escaped from enslavement in the mountains of northeast Brazil. The story follows a group of plantation slaves who revolt in 1650 and escape to the mountains to the city of Palmares, where they join others who have already been living there peacefully and autonomously. The leader of Palmares anoints Ganga Zumba, who becomes a legendary king (see Diegues’ film “Ganga” about the life of this character in particular). Ganga Zumba and his people keep Palmares safe for years, but eventually he is persuaded by the Portuguese to leave the mountains, submit his land to the state, and receive reservation land (and “peace”). Many people disagree with this change, and the warrior Zumbi emerges as the new generation leader of Palmares, taking the people back to the mountains. Zumbi, unlike Ganga Zumba, represents a new generation in Palmares that demands freedom and independence and refuses to compromise Portuguese. But in 1864 Palmares is once again attacked and taken by the Portuguese, with most of its inhabitants being brutally murdered or enslaved (though the film manages to represent these events without victimizing the people or representing much violence). In the end, the film leaves its audience with the feeling that even though it has been destroyed, Palmares can (and must!) live on through memory and keeping alive the traditions of its people.

Daughters of the Wind (2005)

With a strong assist from the largest roster of Black thespians in Brazilian film history, documentary veteran Joel Zito Araujo’s “Daughters of the Wind” playfully applies the dramatic conventions of telenovelas to a multigenerational saga of sibling jealousies and family schisms.  Until they’re divided by emotional conflicts, sisters Cida (Tais Araujo) and Ju (Thalma de Frietas) must live under the same roof with their oppressive father, known as Bicycle Joe (Goncalves). Cida is so shattered by events at home that she flees to Rio, where, several decades later, she’s a well-established telenovela star (de Souza). Meanwhile, Ju (Lea Garcia), remains in the home village as her daughter Dorinha (Danielle Ornellas) stokes ambitions for Cida’s brand of stardom.