HELP the Choco Jungle Project!
The Choco Jungle Project came across our desk a few weeks ago and we were immediately inspired by this fantastic initiative, put together by filmmaker Matthew Mulholland.
In December of 2011, Mulholland travelled to El Valle, Colombia, where he met and recorded ten Afro-Colombian funeral singers. These women are some of the last of their kind. Through the recording, Mulholland began the process of helping document and preserve an otherwise dying art form, while opening avenues for the singers they hadn’t previously realized. This experience has inspired him to take his project even further.
Mulholland has decided to take to the road once again, this time traveling the breadth of Central America, recording local and indigenous musicians while filming the events for an observational documentary. Needless to say, access to the music, culture and people of these regions go often unheard, with little access to professional recording equipment – undeniably talented, communicating art forms that run the risk of dying if not properly documented.
We have invited Matthew Mulholland to join us on this week’s episode of Dos Mundos Radio, as he is currently trying to raise funds to make this project a reality. Although we do want you to tune in this week and listen to what Mulholland has to say about his journey, you can start to help right now.
Mulholland and his team have created an IndieGoGo campaign to raise funds to be able to fund camera and audio recording equipment costs as they travel through Central America – Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, for approximately four to six months. On top of equipment costs, the funds raised will be used to compensate participating musicians, to get music clearances and licensing, translation services, as well as hiring local fixers, local camera professionals, audio recording professionals. Any additional funds on top of the $20,000 will be used for the audio and video post-production – mixing and mastering, CD and vinyl pressing, film editing, colour correction and transferring services.
Check out Matthew Mulholland’s message to you below and scroll down for direct access to the IndieGoGo campaign. Please help this fantastic initiative to help keep archive our Latin American traditions.