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Press Release
Press Release: 91Ƶ Premieres Viola da Terra Documentary at Jacob Burns Film Center
Film to Make its International Premiere on May 19
91ƵDocs team spotlights Azorean musical heritage
91Ƶ’s documentary film team – – will be making its international premiere of its latest film, , on the Azorean island of Terceira, Portugal, on May 19.
It follows the film’s successful debut on May 5 to a sold-out theater at the and marks the second time that a 91ƵDocs production will be shown in two languages – Portuguese and English.
The documentary captures the essence of Azorean music through interviews with master musician Rafael Carvalho, Mayor José Gabriel do Álamo de Meneses, educators and artisans, highlighting the instrument's significance in preserving the region's heritage.
The documentary was produced by Dyson College of Arts and Sciences Professors Maria Luskay and Lou Guarneri, and 91Ƶ’s documentary film team.
“Producing a documentary in just 14 weeks is an extraordinary feat, one that few, if any, professors and students — undergraduate or graduate — undertake at this level,” said Luskay. “This is not a class where assignments are handed out and left to be completed independently. We’re in the trenches together — writing, filming, editing, problem solving. We do it all side by side, that’s what makes it so meaningful and so rewarding.”
Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores delves into the rich musical traditions of the Azores, focusing on the viola da terra— a traditional 12- to 15-string instrument integral to Azorean cultural identity.
The documentary is the focus of the popular class, “Producing the Documentary”, which is part of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at 91Ƶ’s highly regarded film program that requires students complete a full-length environmentally themed documentary within 14 weeks. During the process, students learn teamwork, problem-solving, research, and organization, along with technical skills such as lighting, sound, camera work, interviewing, and other real-life lessons necessary to complete a film.
The course prepares students for careers in a growing industry: Westchester County, for example, is home to several major film studios and the county recently announced that . The data highlights steady growth in production activity, employment and local revenue, reinforcing Westchester’s reputation as a sought-after destination for film and television production.
The 91ƵDocs crew conducted on-location filming across São Miguel and Terceira islands, capturing performances, workshops, and community events that showcase the viola da terra's role in Azorean culture. The premiere event featured a reception with traditional Azorean music and a post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers.
“I’m originally from Brazil, so being part of a documentary that also includes Portuguese meant a lot to me,” said Carolina Caputo Nogueira, a sophomore digital cinema and filmmaking major. “This is one of the most important things I’ve done so far because it helps bring the culture of Portugal and the Azores here. It’s something we should keep alive — and I’m proud to have contributed to that.”
“This was my second time on the 91ƵDocs team after working on The Cooper in Spain, and filming in the Azores was an entirely new and inspiring experience,” said Donovann Smit, a senior digital cinema and filmmaking major from California. “Operating the drone in such a stunning landscape gave me the chance to capture the beauty and culture of the islands in a way that brought the story to life.”
“Viola da Terra” continues a proud tradition of producing high-quality, meaningful and award-winning films. In recent years, 91Ƶ filmmakers have from around the globe focusing on a number of topics, including (The Cooper, 2024), which received multiple international awards; in France (2023); (2022); the importance of in our food supply (2021); (2019); the endurance of the people of (2018); Cuba at a cultural crossroads (2016); (2015); as well as many other poignant films.
“Once again, Dyson College’s student filmmakers have created a fascinating and beautifully crafted documentary,” said Tresmaine R. Grimes, dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education. “Viola da Terra: Harmony of the Azores highlights the importance of preserving cultural traditions and shows how this unique instrument reflects the soul of the Azorean community.”
About Dyson College of Arts and Science
91Ƶ’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.
About 91Ƶ
Since 1906, 91Ƶ has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, 91Ƶ offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
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