Children of Las Brisas
Director's Notes
Brief considerations and insights from the filmmakers
Director's Notes
In 2009, I had the opportunity to get to know the recently opened Las Brisas music school and speak with the neighbors about their involvement with “El Sistema”, a musical program created in Venezuela by José Antonio Abreu in the seventies, and replicated in many countries around the globe. I wanted to show something different about this organization, which had already been glorified in a few documentaries.
I was lucky to meet a few kids from the first class of Las Brisas orchestra, unaware that they would become a permanent part of my life. During the years of filming, one thing we learned is that dreams can help people overcome terrible obstacles and suffering. We believe that the mental fortitude these children acquired through their musical education gave them the skills to survive beyond the context of orchestras.
Spending all this time with these children also allowed us to closely observe the relationship between the Venezuelan government and “El Sistema.” Over the years, this organization was taken over by the regime and turned into an instrument of propaganda, selling the goal of reaching two million child musicians, while the majority of citizens do not have access to primary quality services such as water, electricity, food and education.
Producer's Notes
During the first years of filming, the creative team consisted of Marianela Maldonado, Robin Todd and Luisa De La Ville. We filmed in the “Las Brisas” neighborhood to the extent of our possibilities, until we obtained important financing from the National Center of Cinematography in Venezuela (CNAC) and the IDFA Bertha Fund for the production.
Later on, co-producer Andy Glynne joined the team. The process of reviewing film materials and editing preliminary rough cuts began after Jessica Wenzelmann was incorporated. The coming of age story, in which the kids become young adults was registered throughout the filming.
When the Venezuelan crisis broke out in 2017, the story took an unexpected turn. We needed to document how the situation in the country affected the protagonists and their families. Co-producer Luc Martin Gousset joined the project, bringing funds provided by France TV to keep filming.
Later, we were selected by the competitive ITVS and the LPB (Latino Public Broadcasting) from the public television service. With those contributions, we were able to finance post-production.
The world premiere took place at the Sheffield Doc Film Festival in June 2022. In 2023 it will be broadcast by PBS, France TV and will have its premiere in Venezuela.
