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"Soy Andina"
A Film Review
By Larry J. Pitmany
The UN estimates that there are 190 million immigrants or approximately 3% of the world's population. Three million of these are Peruvian. Most of these people are moving in the hope of improving their economic situation. They give up cherished family relations and traditional culture for a better living standard. Their dilemma is how to retain the best of their traditional culture while living in the new culture.
What is missing is the human element. The story behind the story. Film maker Mitch Teblinski does that for us in Soy Andina. This film tells about two young second generation women and their desire to reconnect with an important part of the culture of Peru.
Children of immigrants to the U.S. can go two ways. Some will turn their backs on the culture of their parents, neglect to learn the language, and point themselves in the direction of their new culture. In fact they may become “superamericans” completely devoted to the new culture.
Others yearn to reach out and reconnect in some way with the culture of their parents. This is not an easy process, but it is made easier if you can find some sort of activity or shared interest that gives you a vehicle for achieving your purpose.
 Soy Andina, brilliantly illustrates this process. Filmed in Peru and New York, Mitch Treblinski traces the journey, literally and figuratively, of two young women who are dancers, and connected to the Peruvian culture.
They come to Peru seeking to learn and understand. Their vehicle is dance. The arts present a wonderful opportunity to build these bridges of understanding as Mitch points out in this film. Not that it is easy.
One wins a Fullbright Scholarship and comes to Lima to study. While she enjoys her classes and her fellow students, she realizes after a while that she will always be an outsider, a “gringa”, to them. She also sees that there is another step to the immigration process. Those she meets in Lima, are themselves immigrants from other places, and they are dealing with a transition to a new culture. Therefore, to connect more deeply with the dance, she must go to the source, the provinces. We follow her as she does just that.
The other young woman, also a dancer, connects with the culture of her parents by being the sponsor of the most important festival of their village. While she loves the traditions she finds, she is also disturbed to see how they can be changed by outside popular influences. Culture, then, is dynamic, constantly changing.
Soy Andina raises some important issues that will continue to confront those involved in moving from one country to another. Mitch is to be congratulated for his hard work, courage and determination to finish this project. When I viewed the credits, I realized how many people Mitch has involved in this film--- a credit to him and also to the general support of the message of the film.
This message will strike a strong cord with the expatriate Peruvian community throughout the world. From the viewing that I attended at ICPNA in Miraflores, I can also see how much affected were the Peruvians resident here. It reminded them of the rich and extraordinary culture of this country, and it was very moving to hear them express this during the discussion period after the film.
I also hope that this film will be viewed by the American public so that they can gain a better understanding of Peru. I know that Mitch is working hard to show this film at every opportunity.
The U.S. Embassy is to be commended for sponsoring a tour of this important film to various cities in Peru.
Finally, our gratitude to Mitch Teblinski. Through the art of film making, you have given us something special.
For all who love Peru, I urge you to see this film.
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