Press Kit

Transcription

Press Kit

CHARGING BULL FILMS LLC
F. Fader 711 • Mendoza • Argentina
Tel +54.261.423.3730
[email protected] • http://www.tesorosdescartados.com
Produced, Directed,
Photographed & Edited by
ETHAN STEINMAN
Additional Camera
HERNAN CASTILLO
ZACARIAS RIOS
ANA CAROLINA VON ESCH
Assistant Editor
Featuring
Music
BLANCA ZERDA
VICTOR “KUKI” PIZARRO
CRISTIAN “EL NEGRO” PIZARRO
GABY PIZARRO
HERNAN CASTILLO
CARLOS LIBEDINSKY
OSCAR BELONDI
USA/Argentina • 2008 • 90 minutes • Color
HDV • 1:1.78 • Dolby Digital 2.0
in Spanish with English subtitles
Tel +54.261.423.3730
SHORT SYNOPSIS
A year in the lives of Blanca and her children, living on the fringes of society, scavenging
through the remains of Buenos Aires for mere sustenance. We live alongside them in their
joys and pains, exploring their reality, meeting others in the same fight for survival.
SYNOPSIS
Becoming a tourist hotspot, Buenos Aires is commonly referred to as the Paris of South
America. But what hidden stories lay on the underbelly of this city?
We follow the stories of families living in the shantytowns on the outskirts of town
and walk alongside them in their day to day endeavors working as cartoneros, or
“cardboarders”.
Blanca Zerda is a 31-year-old mother of 7 from the northern provinces of Argentina. 6
years ago she moved to Buenos Aires to escape an abusive spouse and seek a better life for
her and her children. They established a humble home in one of the many shantytowns, or
villas, around the city.
Victor Pizarro is a 65-year-old father of 6, grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 2.
He lives a block away from the villa. Victor has spent his life working in the social sector,
setting up health centers, programs to get children off the street and learning a trade,
but in his years of social service he feels he has neglected his family. To Victor’s dismay, his
oldest daughter Gaby, educated in private schools, choses to live in one of the country’s
most infamous slums with her kids and grandkids.
Along the way we meet friends and family of our main characters and a cross-section of
individuals they encounter and live with day to day. We join with the parents in their battle
for survival and befriend their children and grandchildren, learning what their view of the
world has become.
Tel +54.261.423.3730
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
In a world preoccupied with material possessions, a frivolous search for monetary gain,
“Discarded Treasures” shows the truly beautiful human spirit, survival in its most stripped
down, raw form.
The film provides a look into a world otherwise unseen to society, but also acts as a
conduit for the viewer to look inside him/herself and learn to appreciate all they have in
life. Upon this inner reflection, my hopes are that they will be inspired to help the less
fortunate they encounter. Whether this be someone in their neighborhood, a friend, a
family member... that is irrelevant. If this film can serve to make a small change in the
world - cause a small segment of the population to make a difference, help, pay attention
to those around them, then I can say I achieved success with this project.
Going into the villa to begin filming “Discarded Treasures” I had only a vague idea of what
it was I would witness, what I would learn, what I would live over the next year of my life.
Some of my expectations were justified, yet many refuted as I came to learn what life was
like for the villa’s inhabitants. The solidarity amongst Blanca and her neighbors was truly
inspiring, as is the determination in the eyes of the kids I came to know.
My initial goal when I set out to film “Discarded Treasures” was to capture a day in the life
of the children of the villa (or shantytown). A chance to find out who these kids were that
I saw nightly in front of the supermarkets begging for change, rummaging through the
remnants of the big city, left curbside, wandering aimlessly around the streets of Buenos
Aires. I became fascinated by the dichotomy of how society viewed them as criminals and
drug addicts as they come from infamously dangerous shantytowns, and how innocent
they looked, seemingly just needing a helping hand. My goal was to set out and find
that breaking point where a child living in these circumstances has to choose between
the easy way out via a life of crime, or accepting they will be in an endless struggle to be
given a chance - or at least be treated as an equal - another human being trying to make
something of themselves in society.
While the neighborhood proved to be dangerous, more stories surfacing every day, I
found a community spirit and a common bond amongst those living within the villa
working for a better life. “Discarded Treasures” brings to light some of their stories.
-Ethan Steinman
Tel +54.261.423.3730
CREDITS
Produced, Directed,
Photographed & Edited by
ETHAN STEINMAN
Additional Camera
HERNAN CASTILLO
ZACARIAS RIOS
Assistant Editor
Featuring
With
BLANCA ZERDA
VICTOR “KUKI” PIZARRO
CRISTIAN “EL NEGRO” PIZARRO
GABY PIZARRO
HERNAN CASTILLO
Ariana Zerda
Daiana Zerda
Gabriel Zerda
Lucas Zerda
Micaela Zerda
Saira Zerda
Sheila Zerda
Walter “Cuerpo” Zerda
Agustin Ballespin
Cristian “El Negro” Pizarro
Gabriel Ballespin
Gaby Pizarro
Gisele Ballespin
Rocio Pizarro
Rodrigo “Tito” Pizarro
Tel +54.261.423.3730
Brian Castillo
Candela Castillo
Cristian “El Pelado” Castillo
Emilse Castillo
Uriel Castillo
Gonzalo Sosa
Maia Sosa
Marcelo Sosa
Paola Sosa
Ulyses Sosa
Chula Sosa
Fernando Bulacio
Yamil Bulacio
And
Funding Provided by
Special Thanks
Diego Gonzalez
Luisa Zerda
Olinda Zerda
Segundo Zerda
IOM Regional Office for the Southern Cone of Latin America
Foundation Todos Juntos
Oscar Belondi
Carlos Libedinsky
Tel +54.261.423.3730
Thanks
Rosa Angelina Aparicio
Ali & Kyle Brown
Luciana Correa
Marisa de la Cruz & Family
Camila
Fabian
Joaquin
Ruben
Soledad
Claudio Fleita
Paola Fritz
Raquel Gallucci
Juan José Muñoz
Adrian Piliponsky
Fanny Piliponsky
Jeremias Pizarro
Mariano Pizarro
Gabriel Rodriguez
Anne Romefort
Barbara Steinman
Kyle Steinman
Norman Steinman
Rodolfo von Esch
Ferrocentral
Hotel Panamericano, Buenos Aires
Kory Megadisco, Buenos Aires
Suites Garden Park Hotel & Eventos, Tucumán
And all of the residents of Villa la Carcova and
Villa Hidalgo for letting me enter your lives
and share your stories.
Tel +54.261.423.3730
Music
“Vi Luz y Subi”
Performed by Carlos Libedinsky
from his CD Narcotango
Label and Publishing: Tademus
“Arriba Arriba (Vivo)”
“Para Todas las Gruperas”
“La Pibita Fumanchera”
Performed by La Repandilla
Published by Parulo Producciones
“Agachadita”
Performed by Eh!!! Guacho
“Turros a Bailar”
Performed by La Base
“El Negrito José”
Traditional
Performed by Los Pretenciosos de Villa
Hidalgo
© 2008 Charging Bull Films LLC
Tel +54.261.423.3730
DIRECTOR’S BIOGRAPHY
Ethan Steinman launched his career in film and television in 1995, diving head-first into
the production world. Since then, an array of projects – from independent films to television
productions – have sparked the creative focus and technical foundation that the native of St.
Louis, Mo. applies today.
Beginning as a production assistant, Steinman worked on a series of television specials for
NBC, FOX, Discovery Channel and Comedy Central, including “Movie Magic,” “World of Wonder,”
and “Politically Incorrect.” Among his film credits: “Lithium,” “L.A.X.,” and “Titanic.”
Later, the “dot-com bubble” provided the platform for his work as a production coordinator for
a series of internet-based reality shows. That experience, in turn, led to commercial projects for
Dodge, Burger King, Capri Sun and to music videos for the likes of the Backstreet Boys and Black
Eyed Peas.
Documentaries beckoned next, with Steinman brought on as associate producer for Present
Tense Productions and its Discovery Channel series, “On the Inside…” He also completed various
assignments for Discovery, Discovery Health and A&E on such far-flung subjects as police in the
line of fire to medical mysteries to the world of private jets.
In 2002, Steinman relocated to Paris, France to broaden his vision and to present himself with
new challenges. He was hired as post production producer for Nico Beyer at his production
company Chased by Cowboys, with offices in Los Angeles, Paris and Düsseldorf. Exposed to
the distinct working method and ethic of his newly adopted culture, he capitalized on the
opportunity to meld elements of the French production style with that of his own. In his time in
Paris, he post-produced commercials for Ford, GMC, Lennox, Mazda, Nissan, Pepsi, BMW, Asahi
and Hewlett Packard, as well as music videos for the Pet Shop Boys and Athlete.
Approached by Mirage Entertainment 48 hours prior to the event to line-produce a ninecamera shoot for Mariah Carey’s “Charmbracelet” concert at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy,
Steinman imported equipment and essential crew from the United States to complete the shoot
on budget and without a hitch.
Smitten by Argentina while on vacation, Steinman relocated to Buenos Aires in 2004 and
rapidly learned the language, immersing himself in the local production scene. Already, he
has line-produced and coordinated commercials for Mercedes, Nike, Novartis, Unilever, Qatar
Telecom, Campari and Deutsche Bank. In addition he was brought on as Argentine Producer for
the documentary feature, “20,000 Miles on a Horse.” Recently completing “Discarded Treasures,”
Steinman is now dedicating his time to producing and directing documentaries including:
• A look at the effects of Andean glaciers on the lives of those depending on their existence in
“Glacial Balance”
• The study of the effects of depression on the artistic mind in “A Creative Melancholy”
Tel +54.261.423.3730
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 11, 2009
Contact: Ethan Steinman
Tel: +54.261.423.3730
Cel: +54.9.261.629.2810
Email: [email protected]
THE SWEET AND SHOCKING LIFE OF AN ARGENTINE SHANTYTOWN IN THE
DOCUMENTARY FILM DISCARDED TREASURES
Journey from the big city to the city dump to gain a new perspective on crisis survival.
TESOROS DESCARTADOS (DISCARDED TREASURES) is a one-of-a-kind documentary film that takes you on a
year-long journey weaving through the lives of the inhabitants of the outskirts of the “Paris of South America,”
Buenos Aires.
Blanca Zerda is a 31-year-old mother of 7 from the northern provinces of Argentina. 6 years ago she moved
to Buenos Aires to escape an abusive spouse and seek a better life for her and her children by establishing
a humble home in one of the many shantytowns, or villas, around the city. Their daily goal: find a means to
survive to see tomorrow by scavenging through the remains of the capital, collecting recyclables, scrap metals
or discarded items from the city dwellers. As they work as cartoneros, or cardboarders, we live alongside
them in their joys and pains, exploring their reality, and meet friends and family of Blanca in the same fight for
survival.
Victor Pizarro is a 65-year-old father of 6, grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of 2. He lives a block away
from the villa. Victor has spent his life working in the social sector, setting up health centers, programs to get
children off the street and learning a trade, but in his years of social service he feels he has neglected his family.
To Victor’s dismay, his oldest daughter Gaby, educated in private schools, chooses to live in one of the country’s
most infamous slums with her kids and grandkids.
Along the way we meet a cross-section of individuals they encounter and live with day to day; from glue
sniffing grade schoolers to teenagers using every bit of their energy to contribute to the family unit. From pill
poppers and thieves to kids who have to grow up all-too-fast, just wanting a chance to have a childhood. We
join with the parents in their battle for survival and befriend their children, learning what these living conditions
have caused their view of the world to become.
“From my first days in Buenos Aires in 2004 I became intrigued by the spectacle of cartoneros. Over time I
couldn’t get rid of the thought, the need to know: who are these individuals that come into the city at night,
recycling the excess waste from the city dwellers, only to disappear into obscurity? What are the life stories of
these kids begging for change or scraps of food on the street corners of the city? Why are they in this situation
and why can’t they make it out? My intention in making DISCARDED TREASURES was not to answer these
questions, but rather present a true-to-life portrait of the day-to-day struggle of these individuals to enable the
viewer to draw their own conclusions. Conclusions based on knowledge rather than fear or ignorance.”
Distribution rights available: All Media - Worldwide
Sales: Ethan Steinman- [email protected] / +54-261-423-3730
For more information about TESOROS DESCARTADOS (DISCARDED TREASURES) and to find a screening near
you, visit: http://www.DiscardedTreasuresFilm.com.
###
Tel +54.261.423.3730

Press Kit

Transcription

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