It's early August and the summer has just started in the Netherlands, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't spend at least two hours inside watching the incredibly joyous, entertaining, and interesting O Barato de Iacanga (Taking Iacanga). The film showcases the progression of a backyard BBQ, into a festival that João Gilberto calls 'the best stage he has ever played'.
This documentary will be screened on Wednesday 21st August at Melkweg, Amsterdam. Tickets here!
The summer romance of music and sun, birthed festival season. Where you’ll find deep green bushes pulsating like boomboxes, wooden trees shapeshifting into stage frames, and usual ‘no-go’ areas becoming a home away from home. The usual basement junkie's love affair with outdoor soundscapes has allowed the ever-present human desire for freedom to be expressed—something we can all relate to and admit—nothing else quite compares.
In the early 1970s, Brazil was under a strict military dictatorship. Open-air events were prohibited under military law, stifling the public’s need for freedom of expression - in the 1975's this was slowly dismantling but although liberation and hippie culture were present, it didn't have anywhere to go...
“Hey, we could kill a cow on the farm and have a party.”
Leivinha, the founder, initially just wanted to have a BBQ with friends and family, perhaps showcasing a play he had written over a few days. This simple idea revealed the desperate yearning to create a space for freedom, sparking enthusiasm among those involved. As Leivinha’s idea took on a life of its own, it attracted more people eager to help and expand the concept, ultimately leading to the creation of the Águas Claras Festival.
Brothers and sisters, close friends, and friends of friends spread the word by driving to the nearest town, hoping the message would be passed along. Guerrilla-style poster pasting in the middle of the night made it truly as grassroots as a festival could get.
Obstacles like licensing and police restrictions were soon overcome with Leivinha blindly signing contracts. He simply stated: “You said to make the festival I have to sign this. If I read it, I won't sign it. So I’ll sign it, I’ll make the festival... and we will see how it goes!”
In the week leading up to the festival, the anxiety and restlessness of waiting for people to arrive allowed doubt to creep in. “What if no one shows up?” was a question on everyone's lips.
But like ants to spilled orange juice, hundreds of people gradually weaved their way through the local terrains, creating the first of what was to be coined the ‘Woodstock of Brazil.’
Directed by Thiago Mattar, the film makes extensive use of archival footage and interviews with everyone involved in the festival. Rather than focusing on the artists and audience, it zeroes in on the people behind the scenes who made it all happen. As a viewer, you become fully immersed in this world, witnessing the relentless effort to create and recreate the festival.
The documentary covers all four editions of the festival in 1975, 1981, 1983, and 1984.
With Leivinha's connections with musicians Sérgio Dias and Liminha, the festival's initial lineup boasted artists from São Paulo. The second edition showcased big names like Raul Seixas, Luiz Gonzaga, Hermeto Pascoal, Gilberto Gil, and Alceu Valença.
And by the time the third festival rolled around in 1983, the lineup had become even more diverse. This edition featured performances by artists such as Egberto Gismonti, Fagner, Paulinho da Viola, Erasmo Carlos, and Wanderléa. The standout moment was João Gilberto's performance at 6 a.m., making it truly unforgettable.
"Those who saw it will never forget" - Leivinha on João Gilberto
However, with great success came challenges. "Profit pirates" with a more commercial-oriented approach eventually led to the festival's demise, thus the fourth was the very last.
The film candidly acknowledges this shift and beautifully illustrates the essential need for heart and soul in such endeavors. Serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of staying true to the original purpose and spirit of festival love.
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