by Eydie Mendoza
“Something shifted … an accordion, a broken guitar and a bunch of bad singers suddenly didn’t seem like enough.”
This film is not about the music. It’s about the bond between Lina, Jen, Slomit, Viki, Noa, Shlomit, Shimshon, and Alhan who create a unique band that bridges some unlikely borders. Experience the no-holds-barred and destined friendship that otherwise would never have happened in The Promised Band, documentary (in English) by Director/Writer/Editor Jen Heck.
“I feel trapped in here,” admits Lina Quadri, a 33 year old mother of three in Palestine who also teaches at a university. She lives in Area A, a completely restricted area.
Jen Heck works in reality TV as her day job that coincidentally sets off a series of sequential encounters that started with a filming job in Mount Everest, a trip that Lina missed. Heck (Jen) felt compelled to meet Lina.
Shlomit Tel Aviv Israel never spoke with a Palestinian – Lives only an hour away – “we have so many problems … the way to deal with it is to build a wall.”
See The Promised Band and encounter the serendipitous union of these brilliant, passionate and modestly brave individuals. Viewers can relate to either or all the personalities as they persevere and bring their dreams to fruition.
If you miss the premier of The Promised Band on Friday, March 4, Cinequest Film Festival is scheduled to show it on Sunday, March 6 and Saturday, March 12, but check the guide for updates times and location http://www.cinequest.org.
Eydie Mendoza has worked with underserved and underrepresented communities as a bilingual educator and counselor assisting families, care providers, teachers, youth and adults in pursuing their dreams for a better education and life within her roles at National Council of La Raza, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and College of the Redwoods in Eureka. She is a former SVL Editor-in-Chief of SVLatino.com and a former San Jose Pride Board Member. With membership to the Luna Park Business Association, the Latina Success Network, and a team member of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit, she is currently the Social Media and Website Coordinator for Santa Clara County Public Health and web producer for her own business EMpresenta.