WILLEMSTAD - Even before the Polish documentary 'Chopin's Antiles' has been screened in Curaçao, this film is already one of the nominees for an award at the international festival Prix Italia 2021 to be held in Milan next week. This film will premiere on Curaçao this Friday.
The film tells the Antillean history of music by the world-famous Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. His music reached Curaçao in the 19th century and inspired local musicians to compose the "Caribbean Mazurka".
For many years the mazurka has been known as the national dance of Curaçao. The music and its variations reflect the tragic history of the island and although the melodies are seemingly distant, they are very similar to Chopin's compositions.
The film revolves around Randal Corsen, one of the foremost local pianists, who plays pieces inspired by Chopin with traditional instruments and in some new arrangements, also assisted by Janusz Olejniczak. Contemporary musicians from Curaçao, who have not yet played Chopin, were invited to perform the music together.
At the time, that performance took place in Villa Maria on Scharloo, with the participation of Pernell Saturnino, Eric Calmes, Jean-Jacques Rojer, Dibo Doran, Rhazul Sebelon, Rich Pieter, Yumarya Grijt and Arlette Koeyers. Important parts of 'Traces of Chopin' concert are featured in the documentary.
Randal Corsen has already hinted on Facebook that he is delighted and proud that this film has already received a nomination. That comes at an opportune moment because on Friday 18 June the Curaçao premiere of this documentary in The Movies Otrobanda. After that, it will also be shown to the general public.
The Prix Italia (International Competition for radio, TV and web) awards are presented annually to makers of productions for radio, television and internet. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards for manufacturers in this industry.
This year's nominees for the Prix Italia Awards in the category 'television performing arts' is the Polish documentary with the English title 'Chopin. Caribbean Key'. It was directed by the director Agnieszka July-Wroblewska, who came from Poland to Curaçao with her crew and the internationally recognized Polish pianist Janusz Olejniczak, composer and passionate interpreter of Chopin's works.