Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Rita Indiana
Rita Indiana is a Domininca artist on the verge of stardom, who is traveling the world with her special brand of alternative Dominican music. The 6-foot-tall Indiana is also a published author and poet. In addition to her music, which has been described as electro merengue, Indiana is carving out her own special niche. Her music is filled with Dominican slang, and her videos are made with her frequent collaborator and girlfriend, the filmmaker Noelia Quintero. The couple's appearance holding hands on the red carpet for the Casandra Awards (the top Dominican entertainment awards) last year was talked about in the Dominican press, as almost no prominent entertainers in the D.R. are out as gay. She has just come out with a haunting video that was shot near the Haitian border called Da Pa Lo Do. Here is a description:
Electro merengue diva Rita Indiana has no qualms making political statements with her art. From her songs about migration and conditions in her native Dominican Republic to her 70′s-inspired first video, “El Juidero” (“The Getaway”), where she played an assassin in the aftermath of the politically-motivated murder of a Dominican journalist, “La Montra” has proven she’s got lots to say.
Indiana’s latest clip, for song “Da Pa Lo Do” (“There’s Enough For You Both”), hit the Dominican airwaves and the internet this week just as government enacts its harshest immigration law yet. The video, filmed near the Dominican-Haitian border, shows two warring men dressed in 19th century uniforms who, after experiencing a Marian apparition (with Indiana as a creole virgin), shake hands and embrace.
The evocative video’s message about fraternity draws inspiration from the song—a heartbreaking allegory set to a fast-paced fusion of two island rhythms (Haitian rara and Dominican gaga) about two impoverished brothers who don’t understand why only one of them is fed if there’s enough for both of them.
5 Comments:
written by a guest on October 25, 2011
I have been following and been amazed by the extraordinary service of Solange "Sonia" Pierre on behalf of Haitian-Dominicans since I first read about her in 2000. When I saw this video I couldn't hold back my tears. Maybe, just maybe, what we see in Rita Indiana's video will be the fruition of what Sonia Pierre has dedicated her life to: an end to anti-Haitianism in the Dominican Republic. Thanks, Anthony, for posting this!
written by a guest on October 26, 2011
I have to find a reason why I am soooo drawn into this video and blame it on PMS (males here)! When you read the comments on Dominican Today and see the venom and hatred directed towards Haitians, you wonder if these are the same Dominicans who themselves or have have relatives who are immigrants who are fighting stigma in the U.S. and calling for equality! most of them are. You have me all emotional on this one Anthony. Thank you.
BTW, If I had known a straw hat makes a fabulous halo, I woulda been wearing one all along!
written by a guest on October 27, 2011
I have never heard of this artist. Thank you for posting this.
written by a guest on October 27, 2011
Well I for one am disgusted at how Dominicans treat the average haitians. During my last visit in April 2011, the gate-men at he condo i stayed at were treated horribly. Most of us North Americans should really ponder what they really think about us. Cus the only reason they kiss our asses ( literally) is because of the financial benefits.
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POSTED BY MONAGA AT 04:04 PM
