Narco Cultura- Barcelona In-Edit Festival

I’ve lost count of how many festivals are based in Barcelona, almost every week there’s a chance of discovering a new artist or movement you hadn’t heard about.

Beefeater In – Edit is one of my favourites. Celebrating 11 years showing a selection of muisc documentaries, from the most internationally acclaimed to some portraying the local scene, this year it’s brought an especially sensitive film “Narco Cultura“.

From Israeli photo-reporter Schaul Schwarz and Spanish sound technician Juan Bertrán, who spent three years filming in Mexico and United States, Narco Cultura shows two opposite realities surrounding narco-trafficking in Mexico.

On one side we follow Richi Soto, working for the CSI of Juárez, dealing with violent murders every single day in one of the most dangerous cities of the world. The film spares no images when showing the victims and circumstances of the murders, so sensitive viewers should be alert. It is heart breaking to see desperate mothers crying for their lost children in what seems a never-ending absurd massacre. Richi confesses how he’s been tempted to quit, especially after some of his colleagues are murdered, but that he feels he’s gotta do his job.

On the other side of the border we follow Édgar Quintero lead singer of the BuKnas de Culiacán performing narcorridos, songs glorifying the deeds of Mexican drug lords. Getting more and more popular in Mexico and United States, Édgar sees no harm in singing about violence and murder. It’s his job and it’s better than what he was doing in his younger years when he ended in prison. Narco Cultura, portrays how multitudes chant together Quintero’s songs and teenagers confess they wouldn’t mind dating a narco as they’re successful and rich.

In cities where there are no jobs, being a drug lord seems to promise a better life a new form of American dream.

Make sure you don’t miss Narco Cultura, although harsh it’s an unmissable documentary to understand the reality of Mexico, will it ever change?

Rock en Seine 2012: Sunday’s review and pictures

Last Sunday, 26th of August I went for the first time to the Rock en Seine Festival in Paris. I have been to other big festivals before and I have to say that the ambiance and organisation were really good. No stress, very few pushes around, large spaces to lay down under the sun, lots of families with kids, some funny costumes and great bands such as Passion Pit, The Dandy Warhols, Foster The People or Green day.

The Festival is located by the river Seine (Iguess this comes with no surprise), and the views when approaching the showground were beautiful.

This year’s poster design was inspired by vintage circus characters, and all the atmosphere from the big wheel to the candy stalls and the special exhibition were related to that topic. It was like being in a village fair.

My intention was to see Bombay Bicycle Club first of all, but they were playing way too early (3 p.m.) and by the time we got there we were only able to hear Shuffle (which is my favourite song, so it wasn’t that bad).

Later we headed to the other side of the festival to see Passion Pit and were lucky enough to be in the first row! I really liked their album “Manners” and was afraid to be disappointed by their live performance, but though the sound wasn’t perfect, the singer, Michael Angelakos was full of energy and we really enjoyed their performance singing along as loudly as possible. The climax came with their last song Little Secrets when the audience went higher and higher and higher…

We then headed to the main stage to hear the end of The Dandy Warhols‘ show. You could tell those guys have years of experience, the sound was fantastic and Courtney Taylor-Taylor’s deep voice had a soothing effect while laying down on the grass.

And after some waiting time, fighting our way through hordes of late teens, finally came Foster The People!! By far the best show of the festival. They managed to light up the crowd with a series of hits one after the other Helena Beat, Call It What You Want, Houdini… And the finale Pumped Up Kids accompanied by a white confetti rain and an electronic remix that made everyone jump like crazy.

Barcelona Movie Theatres: Cinema Maldà

We’ve all heard that sory again and again: the local cinema production has nothing to do against Hollywood and blockbuster films. The same story goes for the local, historical movie theatres: the big multiplexes will soon take over.

Somehow Cinema Maldà has struggled to survive in this red ocean of movie theatres, not without a fight, programming independent cinema and not-so-new Hollywood films. For those who know London well, think Prince Charles Cinema with a less fancy auditorium.

The place, which for a short period of time became the first Bollywood movie theatre in the city, is also the venue of some the movie festivals, at the moment showing films from L’ Alternativa. Located in Carrer del Pi, 5 it’s like an oasis in the middle of the Barcelona’s shopping frenzy.

Festes de Gràcia 2011

The Festes de Gràcia festival is celebrated each year in the Gracia neighborhood around the 15th of August. It’s probably the best local festival in Barcelona programing concerts, children’s activities, exhibitions and art workshops, food tasting … However if something attracts thousands of visitors each year are the beautiful and original decoration on streets and squares.

Residents and retailers work during several months to build a themed based decoration. Made with recycled materials, these constructions compete for official prizes: best entrance, best roof, best lighting, etc.  You can have a glimpse of this year’s  decorated streets on my flickr: