I am thrilled to announce the premiere of my film, AGAINST THE GRAIN: An Artist's Survival Guide to Perú, at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. This film chronicles the lives of four Peruvian artists, struggling to maintain an independent voice during repressive times, especially under the government of Alberto Fujimori. It appeals to those interested in Latin America, social justice and art. Eduardo Tokeshi, a Japanese Peruvian artist, is profiled.

This screening is the culmination of several years of work so I hope you'll come out and support the film at this festive moment. You can buy tickets on-line or at the theater.

LA Asian Pacific Film Festival
4:30 pm, Sunday, May 4, 2008
Laemmle’s Sunset 5 Theaters
8000 Sunset Blvd.
West Hollywood, 90046
http://www.vconline.org/festival/

I am also trying to arrange for SOME OF THE ARTWORK to be on display at the theater as well. It will be available for sale and proceeds will help to defray costs of the film.

Sorry about duplicates....

Check out a trailer at

www.annkaneko.com/againstthegrain

AGAINST THE GRAIN: AN ARTIST'S SURVIVAL GUIDE TO PERU

A film by Ann Kaneko

(2008) color, 64:23 mins., documentary

U.S., Peru, Japan

in Spanish, English, Japanese and Quechua

www.annkaneko.com/againstthegrain

SYNOPSIS

In 1989, Alfredo Márquez used an image of Mao in an artwork. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. For every artist, the need to create and be heard is as basic as food and shelter. But what happens when you live in a country where the state clamps down on free thinkers, forcing artists to censure themselves? Four Peruvian visual artists, including Márquez, defy this tyranny through their work and ignite change, challenging ordinary people to speak out. These struggles and commitments raise the question: Is freedom of expression a right or a privilege?

Spanning two decades of corrupt governments and inept leaders, this film tells the story of four inspiring artists: Claudio Jiménez Quispe flees his home in Ayacucho because of insurgency with the Shining Path, a Maoist rebel group. He chronicles this violence in his retablos, traditional wooden display boxes. Alfredo Márquez, active in the 1980s underground punk scene, produces bold, political images despite four years of unjust imprisonment. With the downfall of former president Alberto Fujimori, critics targeted Japanese Peruvians like Eduardo Tokeshi, yet he reaffirms his identity through a series of red and white Peruvian flags. Natalia Iguíñiz provokes the Catholic Church and the socially conservative middle class with controversial images that challenge gender and class. Each artist teaches us what it means to persevere and make art in a country like Perú.

Highlighting amazing contemporary Peruvian artwork, this film combines gritty Super 8 with raw verité footage. It also features music by iconic Peruvian bands, Leusemia and Uchpa, and Los Angeles indie rockers, Pilar Díaz and David Green, of los abandoned.