Paraiso For Sale = AMAZEDAWGZ

Just got back from watching Paraiso for Sale at The LA Film Fest.  I’m so exhausted. My body aches from a week of non-stop overbooking.  No complaints.  I’m blessed to live in a city brimming with pulsating brilliance that channels itself through diverse art & artists, which I have the privilege to experience.

That being said, I need to continue to work on cultivating BALANCE in my daily life.  I have to stop saying YES to everyone I love & everything I want to do or my hair will finish its final crossover from 75% grey to a full 100%.  Although my brain is mush at the moment and all it yearns for is a good 8 – 10 hours of rest, I must blog about one of the week’s most moving 2 hours: Paraiso for Sale.

Paraiso (Paradise) for Sale was a profoundly piercing, educational and endearing documentary that still has my entire being vibrating from essence to bone.  In summary, it was RAD.

Film Trailer & Brief Summary:

PARADISE FOR SALE takes a look at the effects the fast-growing migration of American retirees and developers to Bocas del Toro, Panama is having on the local community.

What price would you pay for paradise? And who would you be willing to take it from? Panama is one of the most sought after real estate destinations in the world. The archipelago of Bocas del Toro, a gem hidden away in the Caribbean side of Panama, attracts retirees and developers from the US with its crystal clear waters and luscious trees.

Filmmaker Anayansi Prado returns to her homeland to document the effects the fast-growing migration of American retirees and developers to Bocas del Toro is having on the local community.

Feliciano, a Ngobe Bugle indigenous leader, organizes his people in an effort to protect their land from the government and foreign developers. Local boatsman Dario runs for Mayor with the hopes of bringing change to development in Bocas del Toro. American retiree couple Karan and Willy spent their life savings on their dream home in paradise, only to pay the real price for it later.

PARAISO FOR SALE explores issues of modern day colonialism, residential tourism and global gentrification and reveals that migration between Latin America and the US is not just a one-way street.

2 Actions I HIGHLY recommend taking: 

1) Watching Paraiso For Sale at The LA Film Festival’s last two showings: Mon, Jun 20th OR  Wed, Jun 22nd.

2) Take a stand for GLOBAL INDIGENOUS RIGHTS by checking out Cultural Survival and “liking” its Facebook Page.

Mission Statement: “Cultural Survival” is a global leader in the fight to protect indigenous lands, languages, and cultures around the world. In partnership with indigenous peoples, we advocate for native communities whose rights, cultures, and dignity are under threat.

Thanks for reading & enjoy exercising your powerful voice in the world!

xo ~ V

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June in LA = Fun Stuff To Do & Do & Do…

If you’re in LA, there’s much Fun Stuff  to do within the next week!

Come out & join us!  The city explodes…  

1. Live Music & Art 

One of my dearest & most amazingly talented friends Brit Laurén Manor promises to pull off another dynamite show by belting her genius gutz out this Friday night June 17th! She headlines along with The Elevaters at The Bootleg Bar for GO BANG: Art & Music Partay.

B/HIVE + AMOR FATI + MIXTAPE RIOT! + IM ON TV BITCH = GO BANGFRIDAY, JUNE 17 10PM – 2AM @ THE BOOTLEG BAR – 2220 Beverly Blvd, 90026+ LIVE MUSIC by: Brit Laurén (1030p) www.britlauren.bandcamp.com  Elevaters (1130p) www.elevatersmusic.com + SPINS by Charlie B Wilder www.mixtaperiot.com + LIVE ART + MAGAZINES by Amor Fati www.theamorfati.com + VISUALS by I’m On TV Bitch www.imontvbitch.com + FOOD by Stovetop Playlist + FREE MUSIC & MAG GIVEAWAYS! $10 Cover // 21+ ///  FACEBOOK EVENT \\\

2. Live Theatre

A brilliantly hilarious actress, and awesome OG college bud, Karen Anzoategui performs her RAD One-Woman show Ser: LA vs. BA, which was spotlighted by the LA Times & LA Weekly as part of The Hollywood Fringe Fest!  I saw the work-in-progress and my socks popped off of my feet onto my face I loved it so!  It’ll make you laugh, cry, & reflect.  What else does a hayna really need to live?  It runs JUNE 15, 17, 18 & 22 at 8:30 PM.

Check out The Facebook Invite for all the deetz!

Brief Summary:

Karen Anzoategui tells her solo story through the politics of a soccer game. Soccer is utilized as a vehicle to understand Argentine and US politics and society. Landing in Los Angeles, this Argentine girl grows up in two different worlds, North America and South America. In Los Angeles, the cultural rivalry that exists between different Latino countries, specifically Argentina and Mexico, are put to play. The serious look at all the worlds is balanced by the comic view of family life that Karen grows up in. A visit from James Brown, a mother in flight along with her brothers who are always on the way to a soccer game, like a pilgrimage, to the soccer God, Diego Maradona. Karen has to come to terms with her sexuality as well as discovering what she really values. Having to decide who she is rooting for, and then to fight for her rights on all sides of the game, Karen Anzoategui’s solo show: Ser will take you through a journey as well as being a spectator in her world.

3. Documentary at The LA Film Fest

PARAISO FOR SALE premieres at the LA FILM FESTIVAL this Saturday June 18th! It also screens June 20th & 22nd.  A fascinating and revealing documentary by brazen filmmaker Anayansi Prado, an old friend who helped me greatly early on in my filmmaking career.  Thrilled to experience this titillating piece!

Check out The Facebook Invite for all the deetz!

Brief Summary:

PARADISE FOR SALE takes a look at the effects the fast-growing migration of American retirees and developers to Bocas del Toro, Panama is having on the local community. We learn that migration between Latin America and the US is not just a one way street as the film explores issues of modern day colonialism, residential tourism and global gentrification.

Enjoy!

xoxo ~ 🙂 V