
ANNOUNCEMENTS
About
Mike Costa’s new film, “Proud to be Cape Verdean: A Look at Cape Verdeans in the Golden State” is a documentary that captures the essence of the Cape Verdean culture in California through an insightful look at individuals and organizations and their desire to maintain their cultural identity. This film highlights the unique Californian, the Cape Verdean, whose distinct classification of African and European roots present them as a robust ingredient in the “Melting Pot” we call America. The music of the Mendes Brothers, John & Ramiro is featured. Actor/Producer Michael Beach lends his voice talents as Narrator.
The writer/producer/director of the film, Mike Costa, has been a professional writer for over 15 years and is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America. His many credits include: Roseanne, The Steve Harvey Show, In the House and The Gregory Hines Show. His interest and experience in documentary film making resulted in collaborative works with other Cape Verdean film makers.
This one-hour documentary offers oral histories in conjunction with interviews, photographs and re-enactments that accurately depict the transition of small family gatherings where Cape Verdeans shared their love of their cuisine and music grew, inspired and eventually shaped the formation of non-profit Cape Verdean organizations dedicated to sustaining the legacy of their racially and linguistically rich culture while maintaining a strong connection to their East Coast ties and their home country of Cape Verde. Experts such as Gina Sanchez-Gibau, PhD, Associate Dean of Student Affairs at Indiana University/IUPUI, James Lopes, noted Cape Verdean Genealogist and Cape Verdean Ambassador to the United States, Fatima Veiga are featured.
This has been a collaborative effort of the entire California Cape Verdean community. The film will screen in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Atlanta, Ohio, California and throughout the Cape Verdean Diaspora. The documentary features Portuguese and French subtitles.
If you’d like more information about the film, or to schedule an interview with Mike Costa, please call 213-590-5577 or email at mjcosta@sbcglobal.net