Omar y Gloria
by Jimmy Cohen
Mexico, 2017
synopsis
Omar & Gloria dance Danzon. Gloria who is 80 years old is a woman full of light. For over 15 years Omar has been her accomplice and dancing partner. Omar and Gloria are mother and son. As part of their daily lives, they record themselves regularly. They capture every moment of their lives as amateur filmmakers, whilst also becoming their own audience. Omar relates to life through Gloria. She relates to the world through her video camera. Together, they both tell a unique life story told through music in dancing halls, their lived and recorded memories, and the traditional 11 steps set by every good Danzon.
about the director
Jimmy Cohen is a Spanish-Mexican director and editor born in Mexico City. His first feature film, El tercer sendero, was selected for festivals such as Distrital (Mexico City), Toulouse Latin America Film Festival, and Habana Film Fest. His second film, Omar y Gloria, premiered at the Play-Doc festival in Spain and screened at more than 20 international festivals. As an editor, co-writer, and co-producer, he worked on Paddle Out, which premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. His work as an editor spans both fiction and documentary, with titles such as Paraíso perdido, El rey de la fiesta, Alchemy of the Spirit, and Kurosawa’s Grave. He is currently in post-production on his new feature-length documentary, Tres Brujas.
