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MACHETERO Film Screening in New York City - Feb 27
MACHETERO
written and directed by vagabond
produced by resister and vagabond
starring Isaach de Bankolé, Not4Prophet, Kelvin Fernandez and Dylcia Pagan
original songs and score by RICANSTRUCTION
Post 9/11 definitions, ideas and notions of terrorism are challenged in this
highly controversial and experimental film. Machetero is an allegorical
narrative that follows French journalist Jean Dumont played by Isaach de
Bankolé (The Keeper, Ghost Dog, Coffee and Cigarettes, Manderlay) to a New
York prison where he interviews Pedro Taino a so called "Puerto Rican
Terrorist" played by Not4Prophet (lead singer of the Puerto Punk band
RICANSTRUCTION). Pedro is a self-described Machetero fighting to free Puerto
Rico from the yoke of US colonialism. He is obsessed with freedom, freedom
for his country, his people and for himself. Jean questions Pedro about his
decisions to use violence as a means to achieve that freedom.
As Jean and Pedro speak, another story unfolds. A ghetto youth played by
Kelvin Fernandez (in his first starring role) grows up in the ghetto streets
and crosses paths with Pedro. Pedro reawakens a revolutionary spirit
instilled in the ghetto youth from childhood by a mentor in Puerto Rico
played by former Puerto Rican Prisoner of War Dylcia Pagan (who did 20 years
in federal US prisons for her belief that Puerto Rico should be free). Pedro
tries to provide the means for the ghetto youth to grow into the next
generation of Machetero.
The film is structured around songs from the album, "Liberation Day" written
and preformed by RICANSTRUCTION. The songs are interwoven into the film as a
narrative voice and the band is utilized as a modern Greek chorus.
RICANSTRUCTION also provides an original improvised score that moves from
hardcore be-bop punk to layered, haunting and abstract Afro-Rican rhythms.
www.machetero-movie.com
MACHETERO MOVIE STILLS
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