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Arts & Diversity to create community
This half-hour documentary, shot in Peru, stars three of the world’s finest percussionists: Lalo Izquierdo, Cotito and Huevito. As they play the cajón drum, sing, dance, and talk, we learn about the rich culture of Afro-Peruvians. An introduction to a little-known part of the African diaspora.
Screened in festivals in five countries, won awards in two countries. (USA and Germany).
Best Film, Arts Category, Black International Cinema Berlin (GERMANY)
Best Ethnographic Music Documentary, Berkeley Video & Film Festival; screened in 10 plus festivals in five countries
–National PBS broadcast in USA–
“Highly recommended. (C. Block for Video Librarian)
“…a fine choice…,” (Barbara J. Walters for EMBO – Edu. Media Online)
“…a rare and delightful glimpse…. ” (John Santos, 7 times Grammy nominee, US Artists Fontanals Fellow)
Half-hour (28 min.), color, HD, closed captions, produced-directed by Eve A. Ma; in English, & Spanish w/English subtitles. $15 plus S&H (sales tax in CA)
STREAM-DOWNLOAD here (Home Use only);
and for DVD use the PayPal button below
Rasaki Aladokun, a man with an infectious laugh, is a master drummer from Nigeria who comes from the Yorubá ethnic group. Born and raised in Nigeria, he toured the world with King Sunny Adé (the “King of Juju Music”) before settling down with his wife and children in Oakland, California. The half-hour documentary:
• reminds us that Africa is an extremely diverse continent;
• demonstrates some of the broader significance of drums and drumming;
• gives background on the culture of an ethnic group important in America, especially to African Americans.
Rasaki’s Drums and Nigeria’s Yorubá is part of a series-in-progress (Speaking of Rhythm).
“We appreciated the historical relevance gained from learning more about our native culture.”
—Willie Robinson, president, NAACP of Richmond, CA
“…highly captivating.”
—Prof. Jeleel Ojuade, Vice-Chancellor, Ojaja University, Nigeria
“A must-see for percussionists and people interested in African Music.”
—Martin Meissonier, founder of Island Records, promoter, and playwright
30 min., color, HD, closed captions; a film by Eve A. Ma, featuring Rasaki Aladokun. Now, only for Educational; but on 1 June 2025 for Home Use purchase.
With a special focus on the cajón drum (now part of flamenco, Latin jazz, and many other forms of music), though prize-winning percussionist Peta Robles, seven-times Latin Grammy nominee John Santos, dancer-folklorist-percussionist Lalo Izquierdo and prize-winner Huevito, we look at Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments.
Filmed partly in California and partly in Peru, the stories of the Afro-Peruvian percussion instruments are intimately tied to Afro-Peruvian history. This history, in turn, in many ways reflects that of African Americans which adds special interest to these stories.
SINCE WE ARE JUST NOW COMPLETING THE FILM, IT HAS NOT YET HAD A CHANCE TO SCREEN ANYWHERE.
–reviews coming soon
The laurels seen below are place-holders; PLEASE DISREGARD.
30 min., color, HD, closed captions; a film by Eve A. Ma, featuring Peta Robles and with John Santos, Lalo Izquierdo and Huevito.
Ma’s first drama, shot in Spain, stars Antonio de la Malena as Luis, with supporting actors Luis de la Tota, Nicolás Montoya and others.
Domino looks at a middle-aged Spanish family man of the old school, the family breadwinner, who has lost his job and gotten caught up in the economic crisis of 2008.
It focuses on the emotional effects of his plight, but also touches on timely topics such as social unrest, homelessness, and financial inequality.
Award of Merit, World Film Awards (INDONESIA)
Merit Award, Indonesian Internat’l Festival for Environment, Health & Culture (INDONESIA(
Screened, Oakland Film Festival (USA)
Domino: Caught in the Crisis was also officially presented as a special event by the City of Jerez de la Frontera (SPAIN) where it was shot.
1 hour, color, HD, produced-directed by Eve A. Ma and starring Antonio de la Malena. In Spanish with English subtitles.
STREAM-DOWNLOAD here (Home Use only);
and for DVD use the PayPal button below
A double CD of traditional flamenco cante (singing), the featured singer is Antonio de la Malena, four times winner of best singer award in the prestigious annual Flamenco Festival of Jerez de la Frontera, SPAIN.
Recorded in southern Spain, near Jerez de la Frontera (considered part of the “cradle of flamenco”), guitar accompanists include Domingo Rubichi, Manuel Parrilla, and Malena Hijo.
In addition to the well-known palos (flamenco forms) of bulerias, solea, seguirilla, alegría, tientos and the like, the albums also include bamberas, a wonderful trilla, and other less-well known flamenco forms.
A full 2 hours of very fine flamenco.
“…the exact peak…of artistic and professional mastery.” (David Montes for Flamencomania)
“A brilliant performance.” (Juan Garrido for Diario de Jerez)
“…a cantaor [flamenco singer] who… has reached the height of his career….the purest and most perfect flamenco….” (Fran Pereira for JerezJondo)
“…powerful, expressive and moving….” (Theresa Vasilly Saba for MyFlamencoDiary)
Afro-Peruvian music as performed by some of its finest masters. The emphasis is on the cajón drum, a symbol of Afro-Peruvian culture. Artists include Lalo Izquierdo, Cotito (Juan Medrano Cotito), Huevito (Freddy Huevito Lobatón), Coco Linares, Jorge Luis Jasso and Vladimir Vulkanovich.
Recorded partly in Peru and partly in California, the musical tracks are from our two documentaries, Masters of Rhythm and A Zest for Life.
1 hr. of lively and exciting Afro-Peruvian music
“…a treasure chest of songs…performed by the great torch-bearers of the musical culture.” (Raúl da Gama for World Music Report)
A collection of purely instrumental pieces (with the exception of the final track, which also has singing) from around the world, this album contains music from many of our videos. All the compositions are original to the artists.
Artists come from such varied places as Spain, Israel, Peru, Ghana, United States, and more. They include Coco Linares, Liron Mann, Malena Hijo and Sonny “Kalimba/”. Musical instruments include the guitar, the kalimba, and the hang drum.
1 hr. of mostly soft music, good for relaxing and for daydreaming!
none yet….(haven’t sent it out for review)
Neck scarves made in Spain by the wife of associate director Antonio de la Malena. Quantities limited,choose your color: two-tone grey, white, grey with gold, plus (not shown) blue, pink, and white with brown.
Our mugs – the “diversity mug” and the “Afro-Peruvian masters mug” are a unique item sure to spark comment. Colorful and dish-washer safe.
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Palomino Productions
P.O. Box 8565
Berkeley, CA. 94707, USA