Films
BLACK RIO! BLACK POWER!
BLACK RIO! BLACK POWER!
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE
STROBE Music Film Festival
• 8.30pm, SAT AUGUST 24th, 2024 Sold-Out
• 6.00pm FRI SEPTEMBER 6th, 2024 Sold-Out
GOLDEN AGE CINEMA & BAR, Surry Hills
Presented by Groovescooter
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Watch the trailer below
Starring: Dom Filó, Carlos Dafé, Agenor Neto, Marquinhos De Oswaldo Cruz, Carlos Alberto Medeiros, DJ Nenném & more.
“…Fascinating… explores the transformative power of soul music in 1970s Rio de Janeiro, where dance events became crucial spaces for the political affirmation and resistance of the young black community. …Examines the movement’s legacy on Black pride…” [Cinema Tropical]
“…Presents the movement’s impact in music and in the direction of politics… and the affirmative posture of… newer generations, who maintain the Black pride and aesthetic values diffused by Black Rio 50 years ago.” [Festival do Rio]
“Black Is Beautiful!” When Black American soul music came to Brasil via records by the likes of James Brown and Aretha Franklin, it not only raised the heat at dancehall parties, it raised the consciousness of young Black people. Propelling many into political activism, it also spurned a Black Pride awakening that is still alive today.
With fantastic images and stories from those who were there, Black Rio! Black Power! is a Brasilian feature documentary directed by Emílio Domingos and produced by Leticia Monte, which takes a trip back in time to when packed soul music dances in the suburbs of 1970s Rio de Janeiro became a meeting of minds and hips. These dances gave rise to the Black Rio Movement and served as a space for the affirmation of identity and political resistance among young Black people.
The documentary addresses the importance of music in the fight for racial justice during the years of the Brazilian military dictatorship, as well as the embracing of American soul music in Brasil and its relationship to samba and Rio’s samba schools, disco, funk and the emergence of bands like Banda Black Rio and later hip hop. Through the trajectory of DJ, activist and cultural producer Dom Filó – who stars alongside music luminaries like Carlos Dafé – the film is a fascinating and insightful historical chronicle which also documents the importance of major players such as the famed group Soul Grand Prix.
