The public is invited to a free 2014 Seattle Latino Film Festival’s (SLFF) pre-festival screening of two titles, “Pedro Pan” and “Caramelos Para Todos” (“Candy for All”), at the Old Redmond School House Community Center at 16600 N.E. 80th St.
The films — which will be screened beginning at 3 p.m. on Sept. 21 — provide a sneak peak to the longer SLFF, which begins Oct. 3 in theaters and TV screens around the Seattle Area, including Redmond.
“This fall, SLFF presents films about immigration and friendship, two subjects that are paramount to the Latino experience right now,” said Jorge Enrique González Pacheco, SLFF founder and executive director. “‘Pedro Pan’ and ‘Caramelos Para Todos’ show us how important it is to have family and friends and pay attention.”
Beginning at 3 p.m., film buffs have the opportunity to see “Pedro Pan,” a short film by director Andrea Puente. The 16-minute historic drama tells the story of young Elena and her little brother Manuel as they try to stick together during Operation Pedro Pan. Operation Pedro Pan was the largest recorded exodus of unaccompanied minors in the Western Hemisphere until the present day. More than 14,000 Cuban youths arrived alone in the United States.
A question-and-answer period with Puente will directly follow.
At 4 p.m., music aficionados can enjoy “Caramelos Para Todos,” a 60-minute documentary by director Carlos Carcas. Carcas chronicles the making of “El Milagro de Candeal” (“Miracle of Candeal”), a musical film documentary by Oscar award-winning director, Fernando Trueba. “Caramelos Para Todos” follows Bebo Valdés, an exiled Cuban pianist, who befriends the much younger Carlinhos Brown, a musician and activist from Candeal. Candeal was made famous when Brown and others persuaded the residents of the Brazilian favela to lay down their guns through the power of music. The film is shown as a prelude to Trueba’s “El Milagro de Candeal,” which will air on television in Redmond on Oct. 9 as an official 2014 SLFF film entry.
At 5 p.m., participants are invited to a filmmakers reception with Puente, Pacheco and other SLFF staff. Maria Valdesuso, a real-life Pedro Pan and host of the short film, will also attend to take questions about her experience. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
This program is funded by a grant from the City of Redmond and the Redmond Arts and Culture Commission. For more information contact Joshua Heim, arts administrator, at (425) 556-2316 or jmheim@redmond.gov or visit redmond.gov/arts.
