Alí Primera, the people's singer Photo: Instagram @fundacionaliprimera
Last Thursday the film about the “people’s singer,” Alí Primera, premiered in Venezuelan movie theaters. The relatives of the late singer expressed their disagreement with the film in a statement.
In the aforementioned text, the singer’s children and wife point out that, in their opinion, the work does not faithfully reflect Primera’s legacy and, on the contrary, “blurs it in several aspects.”
Below is the full statement:
Caracas, Paraguaná, United States,
Canada, Sweden and China
October 31, 2024
In this open letter, the daughters, sons and wife of Alí Primera are gathered together, with the simplest aspiration to inform and clarify our feelings about the film called “Alí Primera”, which will premiere today in Venezuelan movie theaters.
From the first day we heard about this initiative, a little over two years ago, transmitted by the Minister of Culture of Venezuela and members of the audiovisual production company Humana Cine, we felt great emotion – mainly joy – and also a great interest in sharing and exchanging with all the parties involved, the legal aspects that made up this project. The expectations, vision, historical content, legal-juridical information and opinions regarding the work, which as members of Ali’s family, and defenders of his legacy in the human, social, artistic and political fields, we proposed and agreed upon between the all of the parties involved.
Our main interest was very clear, one which we have been concerned with since dad changed the political landscape: to preserve his historical memory, protect his image, his figure, his life’s work and the historical legacy of this Venezuelan and universal character; a great unifier of the people. We wanted it not to be confined to a single place within the political-partisan situation of the country, so that this work could reach everywhere, to all eyes, to all hearts, as was also the highest aspiration of Alí Primera: to raise the consciousness and dignity of all the Venezuelan people.
During this exchange process we carried out a first reading of the script in which we requested that several relevant, obligatory changes be made. This endorsement did not only imply support, but a legal authorization to take care of Alí’s image.
Consequently, relying on the good faith of the producer, some of the family members even participated in the filming of the movie with character roles, trusting in the result that would be obtained by incorporating the changes stated for the final script.
Only two weeks ago Ali’s family was able to see the film in question, limiting the time available to take into account the family’s impressions regarding any potential corrections in substance or form. Thus, a large part of the opinions of Ali Primera’s children and wife were ignored in the post-production process and even in the decision to release the film. Based on these considerations, we requested a change of date so that it would be released in February, within the framework of the day in which we celebrate Ali’s life and his endless influence on the people’s conscience. This request was also undermined.
As a result, this has had a negative effect. We are concerned that in the film we see many narrative elements that move away from the true representation of his real character. It is a work that blurs the image of Ali Primera in several aspects. All apart from the fact, we repeat, of the disconnection and dismissal of our opinions, feelings and proposals to the executive producers of the film. We consider that this situation could have been avoided if the necessary time had been taken to achieve the best Venezuelan film made so far about the life and work of Ali Primera.
We vindicate the effort of the team that was part of the film at all levels, actresses and actors – especially the boys and girls – and the technical team, who did a wonderful job.
We highlight from the final work: great photography, landscapes, colors, great performances, and a beautiful infant Ali (in two stages) closer to his life. This representation contrasts with our father and husband in his adult years, who with much respect and responsibility, seems to us more like a bad comedian, without content, without depth that reflects the Ali Primera who educated millions of people in Venezuela and Latin America regarding a more just and loving humanity. A message present in his work and in many of his songs such as “La Patria Buena”, “El Cielo Despejado” or “El Sombrero Azul”, “Canción mansa para un Pueblo Bravo”, “Techos de papel”, or “Los Zapatos de mi Conciencia”, and many others that serve as a reflection for the awakening of consciousness and as a beacon of light that accompanies us in the darkness to which the beasts want to subject us.
We call attention to the absence of scenes that show why Ali Primera is a living example for daily action, through the coherence of his conduct or regarding the Bolivarian theme.
It must be understood that Ali was not an agitator but a reflective, deeply studious militant of the truth, and precise words against all complacent words or words lacking historical or human content.
Ali found resonance in his people because he managed to become a voice that spoke like them. At the same time, in the course of his life he led numerous solidarity initiatives not only in the national field but also in the international field. To speak of one of them are the CUP (Committees for the Unity of the People) based on a deep exercise of internal review of the errors committed up to that moment by the parties of the time, being a guide for many of his generation and up to the present.
In Ali, many contradictory dimensions of the human being converge. All of them are expressed in his condition as an articulator and organizer, recognized by those who fought for him, admired him and made him a cultural reference for historic struggle, as well as by those who confronted him. This is far from any simplification or caricature.
We applaud and support all initiatives that want to exalt the figures that are part of the popular imagination, many of which served as inspiration to create Ali’s song and the entire Venezuelan New Song movement.
This letter also serves as an invitation to those who wish to know the root and the fruit that sustains the truth for which Ali fought.
The highest version and vision of Ali is held by his people and we find it in them.
“If we forget the roots, we will be left one day without a flower in our hands”
“Our clarity does not depend on the darkness of others, but on our own light”
“I am happy to know that I belong to everyone and that I am also my own guide,” Ali Primera.
Lovingly…
María Fernanda Primera, Shimpi.
María Ángela Primera, Marimba.
Jorge Ernesto Primera, Tupa.
Sandino Primera, Shamango.
Servando Primera, Pichón.
Florentino Primera, Foyo.
Juan Simón Primera, Pitírre.
Sol Mussett de Primera
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/BR/DZ
