A DIOS MOMO (Uruguay) is the magical and vivid story of Obdulio a cheerful eleven-year-old Afro-Uruguayan boy who lives with his devoted grandmother and two sisters.

The 2009 Underground Railroad Film Series continues the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center’s Afro-Latino focus, exploring the intersections between Black and Brown people in the Americas. African slaves were brought to Uruguay, a small country between Brazil and Argentina mostly to work in the cities as servants and construction workers. Slavery is long gone but most Uruguayan blacks are locked into the same jobs as their ancestors; 80 per cent work in the service sector and three-quarters of all black women are employed as maids or cooks.

A film such as A DIOS MOMO is a rare gem in a country where Afro Uruguayans struggle for greater recognition and leadership. A disproportionate number of black Uruguayans live in poverty, and none have reached the upper levels of business or government. Blacks receive 20 percent less pay for similar work.

Still, most whites in Uruguay deny that racism exists.

A  DIOS MOMO is a beautiful journey reminding us that spirit triumphs when the system fails.

“Reminiscent of Cinema Paradiso and the films of Fellini, this gem for viewers of all ages and is a celebration of life, the beauty of friendship, and the magic of knowledge”.–Sara Nodjoumi & Aaron Dobbs

Presented in celebration of Seattle’s newest ethnic film festival, the Seattle International Latino Film Festival. www.cineseattle.org

ADIOS MOMO
A film by Leonardo Ricagni

Date:Wednesday, September 16
Time: 7PM
Location: Central Cinema
1411 21st Avenue  (21st @ Union) map