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CHILDREN OF LAS BRISAS
Director(s):
Marianela Maldonado – Writer(s): Marianela Maldonado, Jessica Wenzelman
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Valencia, Venezuela. In 2009 in Las Brisas, a poor and very dangerous part of the city, the film’s director Marianela Maldonado met three young children: Edixon, Dissandra and Wuilly. They were part of one of the world’s most unique musical programmes, known as EL SISTEMA.
Marianela was particularly touched by the youngsters' determination, their dedication to their families, their hopes and dreams. She never imagined, though, that she would accompany them for ten years on a journey full of challenges as they reached for their musical ambition… and that she would see, through their eyes, the total collapse of her country, Venezuela.
This is the story of the lives of three children as they strive to become classical musicians in a country on the brink of collapse. Their living conditions turn their dreams into an almost epic endeavour…
Dissandra, a nine year old who had lost two baby sisters when her grandmother signed her up to El Sistema to help alleviate her sorrow. Close by lives Edixon, raised by his grandmother since his father was gunned down only a few blocks away. She enrolled him to keep him off the streets. Edixon want to be a conductor like Gustavo Dudamel, also an El Sistema alumni (who is the new musical director of the Paris Opera).
And finally, Wuilly who was forced into the church community for eight years by his fanatical parents. He discovered the violin and learns to play by watching YouTube videos.
By 2014, the Chavista regime had lead the country into a phase of total deterioration and the children are hit by severe economic difficulties. Each one of them has to make tough choices...