Buenos Aires, Argentina. It seems like yesterday when we announced the program for the tenth anniversary (2010-2020) of the Traveling Basque Film Series in Argentine Basque clubs. Last February its founder, Carlos Gabilondo announced a one year program visiting and screening films in a couple dozen Basque clubs that had hosted the series throughout this decade. Then the coronavirus arrived and the program could not take place, not at least in the presential way it was conceived, although it has been active throughout 2020 wherever it was requested.
While recognizing how difficult the year was, “marked by the pandemic, virtually and the loss of people very dear to the Traveling Film Program” the series was able to adapt to the new conditions and offered 29 sessions. “In all, the stars were together with Basque short films, computer media, enabling the synchronic encounters, messages, debates and talks,” Gabilondo explained.
The clubs that organized this year's special Traveling Basque Film events included Euskaltzaleak in Buenos Aires, Euzko Etxea in La Plata, Askatasunaren Bidea in San Miguel, Itxaropen in Saladillo, Beti Aurrera in Chivilcoy, Euskal Echea in Comodoro Rivadavia and Euskal Sustraiak in Trenque Lauquen. The arrival to other clubs and people was guaranteed by the transmission on social media.
Special anniversary moments
“I would like to point out some of the milestones of this year,” the cinephile told EuskalKultura.eus. "One of them was the homage to Gernika the day of the anniversary of the bombing, with the screening of Markac (2017) a film by Hannot Mintegia. The screening of Dantza (2018), by Telmo Esnal, at Euskaltzaleak and other full-length films, like La casa de mi padre (2009) by Gorka Merchan and Echevarriatik etxeberriara (2014) by Ander Iriarte. Finally, along with friends at Askatasunaren Bidea, the presentation of the film Misión País Vasco, by Ludovic Bernard, filmed in Iparralde”.
Other moments Gabilondo stressed were an interview with Jonan and Telmo Basterretxea from Euskaltzaleak, son and grandson of renowned sculpture, painter and filmmaker Nestor Basterretxea, together with the screening of shorts Casa Vacía and Tienes plena libertad para proyectar; as well as with Basque sound engineer Martin Guridi on the occasion of proclamation of the film Ane by David Peres Sañudo as the best Basque film of the year at the International San Sebastian Film Festival.
As every big celebration, this one also created a souvenir. “We institute commemorative ceramics as souvenirs, which we will deliver to each institution. The ceramics also pay tribute to our inspiring godmother, Teresa de Zavaleta,” Gabilondo explained
To conclude the 10th anniversary of the Traveling Film Program there will be a last online gathering on December 18th with Euskaltzaleak. Before this on Thursday the 10th at 5pm, along with the Euzko Etxea in La Plata, they will watch El ultimo vuelo de Hubert -Le Blon by Koldo Almandoz, and on Sunday the 13th at 8:30pm the Beti Aurrera in Chivilcoy will show Zanahorio, by Borja Cobeaga
Euskal Zinema Ibiltaria or Traveling Basque Film on Facebook, Cine Vasco Itinerante
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