Preview of Maranhenses Choreographies: Caboclo de Pena, film that records the ballet of the caboclo de pena from Bumba Meu Boi

This Friday and Saturday (25th and 26th), at 7:30 pm , the Vale Maranhão Cultural Center will premiere the film Choreografias Maranhenses: Caboclo de Pena , CCVM's first cinematographic production, which records in an unprecedented way the caboclo de pena's ballet, character from Bumba Meu Boi with a rattling accent. The film is the first fruit of the project Choreografias Maranhenses and aims to record and highlight the diverse and sophisticated dance present in popular culture from Maranhão. The production portrays the ballet of 29 caboclos de pena, belonging to 11 oxen with a rattle accent, from four cities. They are men and women from 12 to 102 years old, who share a passion for dancing and for São João. The Caboclo de Pena, also known as real caboclo or sieves, is an emblematic figure of Bumba Meu Boi with a rattle accent, predominant in four municipalities on the island of São Luís and in the city of Icatu. There are about 40 rattle oxen in Maranhão. After the screening of the film, there will be a presentation by the caboclos de pena, accompanied by the singers of their oxen and the troupiadas of the Boi de Maracanã and the Boi da Madre Deus, considered the oldest rattling ox in Maranhão. Singers and composers Ribamarzinho and Canário, from Boi Tremor da Campina, created two tunes for the film's soundtrack, paying homage to the caboclos de pena. The creator of the project, Paula Porta, who is also responsible for the direction and curatorship of the Vale Maranhão Cultural Center, explains that the proposal is to document the most outstanding dances in an unprecedented way. “The presentation of a Bumba Meu Boi is so dazzling as a whole that we are often unable to appreciate each of its elements with due attention. Dance is a highlight, there are several choreographies or simultaneous dances and each accent has its particularities and characters. What we propose is to take it out of the set to be able to appreciate it in detail, in this sense, it is an unprecedented look”, he says. The caboclo de pena dance stands out for the freedom of individual creation of steps, each dancer has their own swing and style and age is not limiting. The dancers chosen by the artistic curatorship of the project, carried out by the dancer Calu Zabel, are aged between 12 and 102 years. The dean, Sr. Guará, a native of Icatu, has been making his feathers swing for 46 years and does not think about stopping. “The Caboclo de Pena ballet is learned through experience and improves over time. It's wonderful to see caboclos of all ages, see ladies and gentlemen dancing, observe the refinement and sensitivity of these bodies that have danced a lot and that continue, despite the vigor that this character requires. This shows the power and resistance that dance brings to everyone's life”, observes Zabel. As important as the swing of each dancer, is the dazzling emu feather outfit, made up of eleven pieces. Its weight, which can reach thirty kilos, is crucial for dancing. Some of the feather caboclos gathered in the project are also feather clothing craftsmen. The manufacturing process is quite laborious and goes from choosing the feathers by length to assembly, going through dyeing, sewing, embroidering and manufacturing the hat's metallic structure. The film The short film Choreographies Maranhenses: Caboclo de Pena has a script and direction signed by historian Paula Porta, dancer Calu Zabel and architect Gabriel Gutierrez. The film brings a contemporary look at the dance present in popular culture, which deserves to be better known and recognized for its quality. It highlights the diversity of swings and steps, which do not follow a predetermined choreography. Devotion and passion for Bumba-boi are the elements that move dancers and their relationship with dance. “The caboclos de pena are creators who can stand out in any dance festival in the country or abroad”, points out Paula Porta. “Documenting this ballet, part of Brazil's cultural heritage, and celebrating it at the Vale Maranhão Cultural Center, with caboclos de pena, is a recognition of the diversity of cultural expressions of the people of Maranhão and a way for us to share this artistic production with Brazil and also with the world”, says Hugo Barreto, director of sustainability and social investment at Vale. Interviews and solos by all the dancers will soon be available on the CCVM channel on YouTube , for those who want to know the protagonists better and continue enjoying the incredible beauty of this dance. More information: Facebook: www.facebook.com/centroculturalvalema Instagram: www.instagram.com/centroculturalvalemaranhao Youtube: www.youtube.com/centroculturalvalemaranhao Service: What: Preview of the film CHOREOGRAPHIES MARANHENSES: CABOCLO DE PENA When: 25 and October 26, 2019 at 7:30 pm Duration: 1 hour and 10 minutes (film – 30 min, show – 40 min) Where: Centro Cultural Vale Maranhão (Av. Henrique Leal, 149 Praia Grande – São Luís)/(98) 3232 6363 Free entrance