Entire film:
GERNIKA LIVES
Written, Produced and directed by Begonya Plaza
Executive Producer: K2000
Edited by: Jack Tucker and Begonya Plaza
It is the 50th Anniversary of the bombing of Gernika, an innocent Basque town in Northern Spain, the holy city of Euskadi, and the first populated location to be bombed by none other than Hitler, and his Fascist ally, Franco.
April 26, 1937 was 'market day' in Gernika. Every Monday Gernika's surrounding towns gather there to sell their local produce, and celebrate their traditions. Since 1937, every April 26 is remembered as the most horrific, and destructive day in Basque history.
My father’s stories are embedded in my mind as early as I could have a conscience. With teary, swollen eyes, and his children on his lap, dad tried to make sense of his childhood past, including all the proceeding events during the Spanish Civil War.
In my early twenties I undertook this passionate video project to capture the voices of Gernika's surviving witnesses, each with his/her own unique traumatic memory, vividly expressed with open hearts, and my father being one of them.
The late John Randolph, known for his Hollywood acting work and idealistic political activism introduces the film from his dressing room, back stage, after a Broadway performance of “Broadway Bound” (for which he won the Tony.)
Among the Gernikeses interviewed: is the artist, Jose Luis Iriondo, the world famous ballet dancer, choreographer and company founder, Victor Olaeta, one of the greatest ever, soccer players, Mauri Ugartemendia, Gernika’s mayor, politicians, educators, farmers, athletes, and town’s people.
In the year, 2000 I reedited the film and included an interview with Basque writer, historian, Mario de Salegi, at his home in New York City.
Original Basque music from the 1970's, includes, folk singer/songwriter, Xeberri.The bombing motivated Pablo Picasso to paint the masterpiece, Guernica, to illustrate the massacre of innocent village people and animals by Fascist exploitative forces.
The Basques are considered the indigenous tribesmen of Europe with a language disconnected to any other in the world, and Gernika is their holy land.
"GERNIKA LIVES" aired on Euskal Televista International, screened at Anthology Film Archives, Eusko Etxea in New York, and has been purchased by universities, institutions, libraries, and private individuals around the world.
Spanish, and Euskera with English Voice-Over & subtitles. 45-minute video.
GUERNICA by Pablo Picasso
TRAILER
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Contact us at: begonya@begonyaplaza.com
Reviews
Dear BegonyaThank you so much for the films which had arrived when I got back yesterday evening and watched. I loved them- such a personal journey for you. I especially liked Guernika Lives with its original footage and wonderful music to accompany it- very inspiring. I was even more horrified by the event and so touched by the courage and strength of the Basques- and the people who were interviewed. It must have been very emotional for your father. I so applaud their strength in holding on to their cultural and unique identity.On Saturday I will be sitting in the restaurant you recommended, thinking of the events, and will raise a glass to you and yours.Thank you again,Lesley - MiriamEngland, february, 2013