Draft:Polka Dot Alley

POLKA DOT ALLEY, a flamenco dance trilogy, is a 2014 American feature length documentary film and story about the choreographers, musicians and dancers from the Santa Barbara, California based Linda Vega Dance Company. The film was directed, filmed and edited by Christine R. Mallet and Randal N. Kazarian, a two person crew.

TRILOGY SYNOPSIS

PART ONE: DREAMS AND DEDICATION

THE RED AND BLUE SHOES: Part one of the trilogy focuses on eleven year old Talia, 2009 Jr. Spirit of Fiesta; a young yet experienced performer who becomes a role model to Santa Barbara’s up-and-coming younger dancers: Anais, Jesalyn, Olivia and Talia’s younger sister, Tatum, all striving for the 2010 title. Fulfilling her teacher’s and family’s expectations, Talia’s passion for flamenco is revealed throughout the film. A fine-cut of THE RED AND BLUE SHOES previewed at the Lobero Theatre on July 23, 2014.

BEGINNING with a flirtatious Rumba or Alegrias, the dancers eventually learn to embrace the spirit of flamenco with deeper cantes (songs) accompanied by professional guitarists and cantaores (singers) enabling them to discover the more emotional qualities of the Guajiras and Siguiriyas.

PART TWO: HOPES AND DETERMINATION

LA MARIPOSA BLANCA “The White Butterfly” Leading the Children’s Parade, eleven year old Anais is carrying on a strong family tradition by winning the coveted Jr. Spirit of Fiesta title just as her mother did 40 years earlier. Will Anais be passing the sash to her friend and Jr. Spirit runner-up Jesalyn?

EVER PRESENT throughout the film are the community values that shine brightly through the dancers, their families and a network of talented flamenco choreographers: Linda Vega, Maria Bermudez, Paloma Ríos, Pamela Lourant and Timo Nuñez collaborating with musicians in the varying traditions of flamenco to make the week long Fiesta celebration come alive every summer in the city of Santa Barbara.

PART THREE: STRUGGLES AND TRANSFORMATION

EN LA NOCHE DE LA LUNA LLENA “On the Night of the Full Moon” Performing a flawless Bulerias on her third and final tryout, Jesalyn’s dreams are shattered by an Old Spanish Days committee decision to allow two over-aged 12 year olds to compete. What ensues is a heart warming story of an outraged dance community and how the girls work it out.

EXPERIENCE the rehearsals, the solo and group performances, stroll along with the dancers from gardens to courtyards to plazas and paseos reminiscent of the city culminating in La Fiesta Pequeña, an unforgettable evening on the steps of Old Santa Barbara Mission.

Production and Story

In a 2010 interview with the Santa Barbara Independent, Linda Vega explained, “The goal is [to dance] live.” “Everything in flamenco is based on that. The goal that I have — even for the three-year-olds — is to eventually dance to live music. For me, as a dancer, what I enjoy is the improvisation, when neither the dancer nor the musicians know what the other is going to do. It’s very exciting.”

Language

English and English with French subtitles

Budget

$260,000

Cast

Featured choreographers include Linda Vega, Maria Bermudez, Paloma Rios, Pamela Lourant, and Timo Nunez.

Featured dancers include xxx.

Featured musicians include xxx.

Premier Reception

xxx

References

Santa Barbara Independent Interview - Fri Jul 30, 2010

Documenting the Dance - Filmmakers Follow Fiesta Dancers from Linda Vega’s Studio to Create Polka Dot Alley

https://www.independent.com/2010/07/30/documenting-dance/

CASA Magazine Review - August 1, 2014

Polka Dot Alley Screening Fills the House

https://issuu.com/casamagazine/docs/8.1.14.casa/24?e=0/8861358

CASA Magazine Interview May 8, 2015

Polka Dot Alley: A Flamenco Dance Trilogy by Jeanette Casillas

https://issuu.com/casamagazine/docs/5.8.15.casa/4?e=0/8861358

Santa Barbara News-Press Interview - May 16, 2015

Polka Dot Alley' a behind-the-scene look at Fiesta dancers

http://polkadotalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/SantaBarbaraNewsPress_Interview.pdf