Uruguayan Carnaval is the largest such celebration in the world. This episode reveals two of its most important aspects: the “Candombe," the national music and dance originating from African slaves and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of Humanity; and the “Murga,” an art form unique in the world. Through the documentary protagonists, we reflect on these typically Uruguayan artistic expressions, their influences in other art forms, and the role of women in the country's society. This popular celebration, in the small but forward-thinking country, helps create a society that embraces long-standing traditions and celebrates their essence.
Uruguayan Murga style is the most famous and popular cultural expression in Uruguay. In this episode we talk about its origin and its evolution over its more than 115 years. We share the backstage and the ritual before and after the official competition. We show that this style is much more than just a humorous choir, and we discover that the great power in it comes from its former and current political, social and human commitment.
In this episode we meet “Falta y Resto”, one of the most important and most politically committed Uruguayan Murga. We get to understand this expression as a protest weapon and a particular way to have an active role in local politics. We get to know its origin during last dictatorship in the 70's, and how they built their particular style as a response to government censorship. Through more than 30 years of history, it evolves to become one of the first ideological Murga.
In this episode we go through the evolution of Candombe, the national music and dance originating from African slaves and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the voice of current most important protagonists, we also share the backstage of their preparations for the main official competitions. We witness their rehearsal, makeup and costumes design, and join the most important groups on the "Llamadas" parade, a two day event were each "Comparsa", a group of more than 100 people and 50 drums, parade along 15 blocks.
As in many other social aspects, women had to earn their way to be part of a celebration historically performed by men. In this episode we show nowadays women role in Uruguayan Carnival and how they keep fighting to be accepted as equals. We meet "La melaza", a "Comparsa" conformed only by women. We talk to many different women that take part into Murgas and Comparsas, and get to know how they managed to achieve their goals following their passion.
Uruguayan Carnival is an artistic expresion full of music, mainly Murga and Candombe rhythms. For more than 150 years these rhythms went beyond Carnival limits and influenced local popular music. As well as music, many other art expressions are influenced by Murga, Candombe or Carnival itself. In this episode we meet several local artist and analyse their work looking for these roots that give uruguayan art an unique style in the region.