H360 Brings Exclusive Screenings of “Neruda” to Brazil with the Presence of Director Manuel Basoalto

The Circuit of Culture and Citizenship Humanitas360 sponsored the film’s launch in communities and prisons in São Paulo followed by panels with the director

On June 15, members of low income communities from the south part of the city of São Paulo watched the feature film “Neruda” and participated in debate with the film’s director Manuel Basoalto. The event was hosted by Humanitas360 in partnership with the PDR Institute and Cooperifa. The activitiy happened at Cinema da Laje, which is a social initiative that aims at bringing the art of film to low income communities. Furthermore, this screening was a special presentation of the film within the Circuit of Culture and Citizenship Humanitas360, and it was prior to the movie’s release in the country.

Humanitas360 also brought the movie to two womens’ prisons (the Capital’s Women Prison and Santana Women Prison). Inmates had the opportunity of talking with the director and discussing social issues as well.

Basoalto came to São Paulo exclusively to join these special screenings and to engage the public in debate. This initiative by Humanitas360 in partnership with other organizations seeks to encourage the dialogue about Neruda’s life and his actions, that are marked by the poet’s participation in the political and social context of his country (Chile) and region.

The film’s storyline starts with Pablo Neruda’s speech upon acceptance of the Nobel Prize of Literature in 1971. Then, Neruda recalls a few episodes of his life that had been forgotten, but that were fundamental in the development of his poetry. In 1948, Neruda became a Senator in his country (Chile) and also a fugitive. He stood up against President González Videla, who had opened “Pisagua,” the first concentration camp for political prisoners in Chile’s history. In order to avoid being captured, the poet risked his life in crossing the Andes fleeing to Argentina. Finally, he arrived in the southern part of the country, in the land where he grew up. It was during that period that he wrote one of his most important works, “Canto General.”