Here is the second film review from Trish Thalman on the film “No Estoy Muerto Solo Estoy Dormido” (I’m not dead, only asleep) directed by J.S Lopez Maas.
She says “this is an interesting insight into the Afro-Peruvians living in Peru and I encourage people to go and see it. It’s delightful with beautiful photography, wonderful people and opens a new perspective on the cultural history of Peru. Ths film will be shown again at the Capitole Cinema at 18:00 on Monday 23rd April. Full details see Visions du Réel site
Donkeys and Afro-Peruvian music, both are the soul and spirit of the multi-faceted elements in the history and culture of Peru. Expansive, sunny vistas of the beige, arid plains of Peru, tame donkeys trailing the rope from their harness in the sands and the pulsing beat of a double base welcomes us to an unexpected story of contrasts.
Donkeys, as transportation, beasts of burden, and a member of the family with good teeth. Some donkeys never ‘suffer’ the indignity of being ridden by anyone. They are given food, shelter, a good brushing to remove the ever-present dust from their greige coloured, hairy coat and best of all, they are cared for as if a beloved child. They pull the cart, overloaded with dried cornstalks. No complaints.
A cheerful mestizo man tells his delightful story of donkeys, mules and horses that are his life. He was kicked out of military school at age 10. When he returned home, his adoring grandparents gifted him a donkey, even if he had been a bad boy at school. The donkey was his soul mate and friend for eight years. Now he rides an energetic, low-slung donkey through the fields. Two smaller donkeys come running quickly behind the man and his transportation.
We are told that if you are good in life, your spirit returns in the soul of a donkey when you die. This is positive news. Does a Peruvian really die? A young Afro-Peruvian digs up the lower jawbone of a donkey from the desert sands. It becomes a musical instrument with rattling teeth and hollow percussion sounds when tapping and scratching the solid bone.
We hear the voiceover of a man telling us of his father’s death accompanied by the same sound of the double bass beat. A funeral altar is carried with love and respect through the streets of El Carmen, a main center for Afro-Peruvians, their music and history. Amador Ballambrusio, an exalted musician and central figure in Afro-Peruvian culture has died. Thousands throng the streets, dancing and singing to the exhilarating music, carrying their candles and offering their homage to the man they loved. Fireworks round off the funeral parade.
Amador, along with his 14 children, was the heart and soul of the musical Ballambrusio Family. Their music typifys the unique sound and beat that exquisitely combines pulsating African music that has been passed down since the 1500’s, when Africans were first brought to Peru to work the gold mines, and the indigenous music of Peru mixed with Spanish musical heritage.
The son explains that the spirit and soul of his father will not die. He was a good man. His spirit is here. “When father died, my sisters screamed and fainted. Then we had a party, made music and danced”. The family are at the graveside of their father with musical instruments. They are dancing and singing: making music for their father. The donkey’s jawbone is there.
“I will die only when you no longer remember me”. Amador Ballambrusio