REVIEW: Pantaya Premieres CELEBREMOS: ETERNA NAVIDAD
Pantaya Gifts New Latinx Holiday Special
The Photo Ladies Review - by: Stephanie Augello
Colombian musician and activist Juanes has cut through the mire of 2020 to bring audiences some peace and hope in the waning days of this tumultuous year. The two-time Grammy winner, along with his wife Karen Martinez, hosts the Christmas special “Celebremos: Eterna Navidad,” which premieres on Lionsgate’s new Latinx streaming platform Pantaya on December 4th. Pantaya is the first-ever premium steaming destination for world-class movies and series in Spanish, offering the largest selection of the biggest blockbusters and critically acclaimed films from Latin America and the US as well as bold never before-seen original series.
For the special, Juanes has assembled a star-studded cast which includes Aislinn Derbez, Ana De La Reguera, Sebastian Zurita, Ricardo O'Farrill, as well as musical performances by Alejandro Fernández & América Fernández & Camila Fernández, Valentina Fernández, Juanes & Jay De La Cueva, Los Tigres Del Norte, Manuel Carrasco, Banda El Recodo, Morat & Danna Paola, Gloria Trevi, Edith Márquez & Luciano Pereyra, Paty Cantú, Kurt, La Adictiva Banda San José De Mesillas.
The storyline revolves around Juanes and Karen preparing for their holiday gathering. They’ve enlisted the cooking prowess of Chef Benito Molina and Chef Solange Muris, with the two offering lessons to the audience as they build dishes such as Mexican-style risotto and Maine lobster tacos. We’re further treated to often comedic anecdotes and heart-warming moments in between scenes, as the cast members reflect upon the Christmas season by sharing their memories, favorites dishes, and notions of what the holiday means to them. Musical interludes are woven throughout the special featuring songs such as “Los Peces en el Rio,” “Diciembre,” “Dulce Navidad,” and “Lleguemos a Tiempo,” and “El Niño del Tambor.” Not to be overlooked is the absolutely delightful comedy of Ricardo O’Farrill, whose superb timing and delivery truly augment this piece.
Soft lighting effects, Christmas sweater style graphics, and familiar holiday melodies complement the positive message of the special, making “Celebremos: Eterna Navidad” a bright spot in a dreary year.
VIDEO INTERVIEW: Flora Lucini & Creature
Flora Lucini & Creature
The Photo Ladies Video Interview
At the beginning of the Summer, the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pulled the truths about racial inequity in America into sharp relief. Demands for change in the form of protests resounded for weeks. Though many of the performative actions are now tapering off, there is still injustice, and still work to be done.
In New York City, local hardcore/punk musicians Flora Lucini (MAAFA, The 1865) and Creature (Rebelmatic) have spent the past few years organically building a tribe of Black musicians and fans. Prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, they brought their powerful songs and dedication to the scene to a monthly residency at Max Fish on the Lower East Side, offering a safe space for their peers. With live shows currently on hold, the two have not ceased their efforts. Rebelmatic recently released a killer new album Ghost in the Shadows, both they and MAAFA are featured on Bandcamp compilation Shut it Down: Benefit for the Movement for Black Lives. Also be sure to check out MAAFA’s self titled 2017 demo.
I recently sat down with Flora and Creature at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn to discuss their music, tribe, impact on the scene, as well as current social and racial issues in the country. That interview is compiled in the video here. These are their voices. This is their power.