Bakosó: AfroBeats de Cuba
A film by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi
This film was screened as a part of the 2019 Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF22)
With producers Olivix Kruda Prendes and Odaymar Pasa Kruda in attendance
This feature was preceded by the short film Abrázame
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb_Z72VdvJc]
Cuba/USA, Documentary/Music, 2019
52 min, Color
Spanish with English subtitles
What does “Está Rico” by Marc Anthony, Will Smith & Bad Bunny have in common with “Made For Now” by Janet Jackson x Daddy Yankee? They both high-jacked AfroBeats and did not give the genre’s origin props. BAKOSÓ is a film that does the opposite, following DJ Jigüe to his hometown of Santiago de Cuba to find inspiration from the new sounds. He finds AfroBeats has helped create a new genre called Bakosó, which itself is beautiful proof that the exchange between Cuba and Africa did not end with the Transatlantic slave trade. Through stunning visuals and a score created by the founders of the genre, the film shows the technology, culture and landscape that shape this African-Caribbean fusion.
Regional Premiere
Biofilmography
Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi is graduate of UC Berkeley, he received his MA degree from NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Eli is an award-winning filmmaker and currently directs FistUp.tv. His work has circulated through the National Broadcast: Free Speech TV, Teaching Channel and PBS . He is the co-founder of the multimedia project Defend Puerto Rico. His dedication to his craft is deeply connected to his commitment to social justice and the belief in the transformative power of film.
Credits
Producer: The Fantauzzi Brothers
Production Companies: Clenched Fist Productions
Screenwriter: Ayme Sosa Pompa
Cinematographer: Toussaint Avila Alvarez
Editor: Alian Hernandez
Sound Design: Maykel Pardini
Music: “Dj Jigüe” Rodriguez
Cast: Dj Jigüe, Ozkaro Delga2, Maykel El Padrino, El Inka
Print Source: The Fantauzzi Brothers, bakosofilm@gmail.com