On Thursday 23 September, the enormous Anoeta Velodrome will pound to the beat and rhythm of Fernando Trueba’s latest film, El milagro de Candeal, starring Bebo Valdés and Carlinhos Brown. Using the great Cuban musician as a guide and conductor, Trueba takes us into the universe of the “little miracle” of Candeal, a project fostered by Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown, as a result of which he has succeeded in helping many youngsters from a community in Salvador de Bahia to escape from poverty, drugs and violence... thanks to MUSIC.

In the words of Fernando Trueba, El milagro de Candeal “was born from two factors: Carlinhos Brown’s invitation to discover his community and something that Bebo Valdés had often repeated to me: “The only place I’d like to visit before I die is Salvador de Bahia”. These two factors came together in my head creating the origin of the film”.

In El milagro de Candeal, we all play music with Bebo Valdés and sing with Carlinhos Brown, with Caetano Veloso, with Marisa Monte, with Gilberto Gil, with all of the marvellous musicians from Candeal. And we become children playing with the kids and learning from Carlinhos how to create percussion by scraping a dry leaf along the ground. That’s El milagro de Candeal. A supportive portrait of solidarity turned music. A musical appeal on behalf of the joy of living.

The screening of this film will be accompanied by a concert by Carlinhos Brown himself, Bebo Valdés and guest artists.

The takings generated by this double musical event will all go to the Pracatum Candeal Salvador de Bahia Association; a not-for-profit association which uses music for educational, cultural and community development purposes in Candeal Pequeño de Brotas – a poor community with approximately 5,500 inhabitants in Salvador, B.A.

TICKET SALES, at the usual places:

• Zinemaldi Plaza Ticket Office
• Kursaal Centre Ticket Office
• Servikutxa
• Telekutxa
• Internet
• Velodrome Ticket Office: september 23, from 3 hours before the start.

PRICE: 25 euro

Septembre 12, 2004