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Thanks to Carlos Gabilondo, the Pinamar Series that began in April continues to attract more and more people.  Last weekend some 50 people gathered at the Manuel Belgrano Library, “It was a great number, especially if you realize that there is not an organized Basque community in there,” Gabilondo told EuskalKultura.com.  Upcoming functions, as well as the last event for 2016 are planned for November 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th

Pinamar, Argentina.   The Traveling Basque Film project fulfills the very important goal of making films by Basque directors available, classics as well as new releases, to Basque clubs all over the country.  However, the project is not only limited to Basque clubs, and it has also reached cities where there is no organized Basque community and in this way has become not just a reference for film but also for the Basque culture.

This is the case in Pinamar, where the series began in April and will conclude in November.  As the director of the project, Carlos Gabilondo explains, “Manuel Valdivieso contacted us from Pinamar. He is one of the founders of the Pantalla Pinamar Film Festival; to give an idea of how important it is, among its 2012 guests were Montxo Armendariz with his film No tengas miedo (Don’t be Scared). In this way, we came up with the idea to create a Basque program of 12 titles. Now each event is even more successful than the last, and the audiences are growing with new members, which is very good, but also with those that return, which is a great sign,” he said.

Basque Visit

Screenings in October, that were held on Friday the 21^st and Saturday the 22^nd [with Aupa Etxebeste! and 40 ezetz, by Asier Altuna and Telmo Esnal; and 80 egunean and Mujer Invisible by Jon Garaño and Jose Mari Goenaga] included the participation of journalist from Radio Euskadi, Iñaki Elorza.  “While visiting Argentina, Iñaki joined the series and was truly proivided an enriching contribution.  Normally the people who come to Pinamar to see films aren’t members of the community, and so don’t know a lot about the Basque culture.  They have many questions about the history as well as about what Euskal Herria is like now, and having Iñaki present was very gratifying.  Also, the theme of 40 ezetz is betting, a field he knows a lot about because of his dedication to sports, so he could develop that theme from questions from the audience applying his great knowledge,” Gabilond explained.

2016 Series

The program that included twelve titles will conclude in November with these films:

-November 18, Alas de mariposa, by Juanma Bajo Ulloa, and El Secretista, by Luis Vil (short)
-November 19, Gartxot, by Asisko Urmeneta and Juanjo Elordi, and Don Miguel, by Kote Camacho (short)
-November 25, La buena nueva, by Helena Taberna, and Zarautzen erosi zuen (I Bought it in Zarautz) by Aitor Arregi (short)
-November 26, Asier eta Biok, by Amaia and Aitor Merino, and La gran carrera by Kote Camacho (short)

In regards to films shown throughout the year, they have been in April: Tasio and the short Carboneros de Navarra, by Montxo Armendáriz; and Loreak and the short Lagun mina, by Jose Mari Goenaga and Jon Garaño. In May, Behiak (Vacas) by Julio Medem and the short Zela trovke, by Asier Altuna; and Negociador by Borja Cobeaga and the short Eramos pocos, by Borja Cobeaga. In June, Kutsidazu Bidea, Ixabel (Show me the Way, Isabel), by Fernando Bernués and Mireia Gabilondo and the short Hauspo soinua (Sound of the Bellows) by Inaz Fernández; and Amama and the short Plazatik plazera by Asier Altuna.

The film series takes place in the Manuel Belgrano Public Library in Pinamar, (Calle De las Medusas 1230) at 7pm.  Looking forward, Gabilondo has not ruled out the possibility of continuing the series.  “The proposal is successful and the library holds many cultural activities, so if they invite us, we will continue showing films with pleasure.  So, even if there is not Basque club in the town, we can still guarantee the presence of the Basque culture,” the film expert said.