Music, Religion And Uprising: Focus On Ricardo Bacallao

Ricardo Bacallao is a Cuban film director based in Berlin and New York. His documentaries primarily focus on the Cuban community in Berlin - specifically looking at religion and music.

PLAYING MAMBO WITH MOZART
Ricardo Bacallao I Germany 2017 I 29m I Doc I N/C 15+

The story of Cuban flautist Justo Pérez, who in 1977 went to the GDR to study classical music and became one of the most influential Cuban musicians in Berlin after the fall of the Wall.

THE MAJI-MAJI READINGS
Ricardo Bacallao I Germany 2006 I 22m I Doc I N/C 15+

"Maji-Maji" was the battle cry of the 1905 – 1907 resistance against German colonial rule in the south of German East Africa. An estimated 1/3 of the population died during these clashes.

In 2005, Berlin theatre ensemble ABOK commemorated the uprising with a series of staged readings in 2005 from the African play “Kinjeketile”

Bacallao asks those actors (from the African diaspora) about their experiences within the theatre and film sectors. The obstacles have a long tradition and are rooted in Germany’s insufficiently examined colonial past, which continues to have an impact today.

ORISHAS DEVOTION IN BERLIN
Ricardo Bacallao I Germany 2019 I 57m I Doc I N/C 15+

An exploration of the practices of Santeria (Cuba) and Candomble (Brazil) religions in Berlin and the cultural meaning of the most important orishas. Featuring Babá Murah Soares of the only Candomble House in Germany and Joaquin Lahabana, a Cuban priest of Santeria.

+ Q&A Ricardo Baccalao