Chicago Screenings a Resounding Success!
DANCE OF MY LIFE opened the 8th Chicago Filipino American Film Festival at the historic Portage Theater last November 2011
Bessie Badilla welcomes Philippine Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim (on left), Fred DeAsis and Edgar Jimenez to the Chicago screening.
Chicago audiences loved DANCE OF MY LIFE
Bessie with Luz Vira Capio, a Chicago community organizer known as "Tita Ging", and media representatives Alpha and Emilio Nicolasin at the Opening night of the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.
Luz Vira Capio said:
"It was my honor to meet Bessie and Lyca and be one among their friends and supporters"
Photos courtesy of Fred DeAsis
Artist Fred DeAsis of Chicago pictured here with writer/director Lyca Benitez-Brown had this to say
after watching the documentary:
"Dance of My Life is an inspirational documentary film wonderfully directed by Lyca Benitez-Brown.
Two thumbs up."
An Exhibit of Bessie's Carnival costumes
The Portage Theater in Chicago featured a much-photographed display of Bessie's Carnival costumes in its lobby during the Chicago Filipino American Film Festival.
At the left is Bessie's costume full of Swarowsky crystals which she wore for her Escola Vai Vai parade
Below is Bessie's costume as Amazon Queen for Escola Nene
Bessie is interviewed by Alpha Nicolasin for her cable TV program in Chicago
DANCE OF MY LIFE premiered in September 2011 at the 1st New York Hell's Kitchen Film Festival, where it was the top grossing film.
Here's what New York audiences say about DANCE OF MY LIFE:
From Ching Valdes, Tony Award-winning actress:
"AN EXUBERANT CELEBRATION OF LIFE. AN INSPIRATION TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN. A MUST SEE. YOU'LL LAUGH. YOU'LL CRY. YOU'LL WANT TO DO THE
SAMBA".
From Ralph Pena, Artistic Director Ma-Yi Theatre Company:
Go see "Dance of My Life," a trenchant documentary about a woman's journey from Connecticut hausfrau to Brazilian Carnaval Queen.
Go see "Dance of My Life," a trenchant documentary about a woman's journey from Connecticut hausfrau to Brazilian Carnaval Queen.
From Gil Quito, Hell's Kitchen Film Festival:
"Dance of My Life is so joyful. It is both Filipino and Brazilian in spirit"
Photo courtesy of Cynthia Marfori. All rights reserved 2011
From Cristina Sison, The Juilliard School:
Bravo! Congratulations to Bessie Badilla & Lyca Brown for creating such an amazing piece of art. Truly empowering, inspirational and moving...subtle yet powerful. Set against the backdrop of the Carnaval in Brazil, one might think that with an event of such magnitude, the film would be more about the glitz, the glamour and the fanfare. -- It is. But it is also a film about an amazing woman's journey and how she embraced life despite the challenges that came her way to be able to live a life that is worth living. So real, so heartfelt, so personal. Bessie, THANK YOU for sharing your story."
Bravo! Congratulations to Bessie Badilla & Lyca Brown for creating such an amazing piece of art. Truly empowering, inspirational and moving...subtle yet powerful. Set against the backdrop of the Carnaval in Brazil, one might think that with an event of such magnitude, the film would be more about the glitz, the glamour and the fanfare. -- It is. But it is also a film about an amazing woman's journey and how she embraced life despite the challenges that came her way to be able to live a life that is worth living. So real, so heartfelt, so personal. Bessie, THANK YOU for sharing your story."
From Roy V. Lim of De La Salle Alumni Association of Metro New York:
It is a moving story of her life, her trials and her triumph as a mother, a wife and more importantly as a Filipina. It is a must-see movie.
It is a moving story of her life, her trials and her triumph as a mother, a wife and more importantly as a Filipina. It is a must-see movie.
From Titchie Sarabia:
What a terrific collaboration.Truly an inspirational story that strongly resonates to all of us...especially to Filipino women. there were cheers, tears, laughs amongst the audience last night ....need i say more? Go watch it!
What a terrific collaboration.Truly an inspirational story that strongly resonates to all of us...especially to Filipino women. there were cheers, tears, laughs amongst the audience last night ....need i say more? Go watch it!
From Aurea Hernando:
A great documentary. Lyca did an amazing job making this film and of course congratulations to Bessie and her courageous spirit for living it. The flow of the scenes did not drag, the angles of the shots were artistic and the message of the film was well expressed, especially showing the history of the Carnaval which a lot of people are not aware of. I must emphasize though that this is a documentary and not fiction, so please do not expect the typical slapstick, tear jerking dramas, action pack, singing and dancing all bundled into one movie.
A great documentary. Lyca did an amazing job making this film and of course congratulations to Bessie and her courageous spirit for living it. The flow of the scenes did not drag, the angles of the shots were artistic and the message of the film was well expressed, especially showing the history of the Carnaval which a lot of people are not aware of. I must emphasize though that this is a documentary and not fiction, so please do not expect the typical slapstick, tear jerking dramas, action pack, singing and dancing all bundled into one movie.