With a Full House La Montaña Inaugurates the Dominican Film Showcase in Washington, D.C.

Thursday November 20th, 2014

Before a full house the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), inaugurated the Dominican Film Showcase (DFS) in Washington,D.C on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 with the presentation of the docudrama La Montaña, directed by Tabaré Blanchard and IvánHerrera. This event marked the beginning of a program that will run in the capital of the United States until Sunday, November 23. The Co-director of the film, Iván Herrera, traveled from the Dominican Republic to participate in a Q&A session with the audience, at a forum held after the film screening.

The opening ceremony was conducted by Yamile Eusebio, Director of the Office of GFDD in New York, who thanked the public highlighting that this docudrama “continues gaining the attention of many people and GFDD-Funglode is proud to present it in different scenarios”. Eusebio said the film reflects the idiosyncrasies of Dominicans, their way of being and reach their objectives.

The audience was very attentive during the screening of the film, a motivational docudrama about the first Dominican expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest. The movie shows mountaineers Iván Gómez, Karim Mella and Federico Jovine on their way to put their beloved flag at the world’s highest summit. In parallel, the film tells the story of three youngsters from the rural area of the country who decide to climb the highest mountain in the nation: Pico Duarte.

After the presentation there was a brief Q&A session, where Herrera was addressed several questions about the filming and production of the film. The filmmaker said the score of the docudrama, by musician Pavel Núñez, was a hit since the Dominican composermanaged to bring the essence of what it means to be Dominican. Herrera also mentioned that the parallel story presented in the documentary, about three Dominican youngsters who climb Pico Duarte, is close to him, since he knows their families for a long time.

At the end, the guests enjoyed refreshments and were able to socialize with Iván Herrera, as well as other guests, including theDirector of the AMA, Andrés Navia, Mr. Edward Pérez, Alternate Ambassador, and Mrs. Mayerlyn Cordero, Counseling Minister, for the Dominican Republic Permanent Mission, Organization of American States (OAS), among others.

The festival continues through Sunday, November 23 with the screening of films each day.

On Thursday, November 20 at 6:00 p.m. at the Art Museum of the Americas (AMA), located at 201 18th St., NW. Washington, DC, the film Lago Enriquillo … A Prelude to Climate Change will be screen, with the participation of the Director and ScreenwriterFernando Báez.

Meanwhile, Friday, November 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the AMA the film Who’s the Boss? will be presented, followed by a discussionwith Director Ronni Castillo.

On Saturday, November 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the AMA the children will enjoy the animated film 3 to the Rescue of Directors Jorge Morillo y Luis Morillo. There will be special activities for children. And, on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00 p.m. the closing night film presents the projection of the musical documentary Sol Caribe, by Director Felix Limardo.

GFDD-Funglode aims to showcase a sample of the best films produced recently in the DR, by Dominican filmmakers, about Dominican topics, with the intention of capturing a well-rounded and positive view of the country. The objective of these screenings and subsequent discussion with the film’s makers affords an opportunity to correspond with the creative individuals behind the subjects and characters depicted in the films.

To keep updated with the latest news from the DFS, visit www.dominicanfilmshowcase.org

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