Armed

Saturday November 15th, 19:30 PM in Cinemazaal Boomsspijker, Recht Boomssloot 52, 1011 EC Amsterdam

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OUR AWARDS

REVIEWS

selected for the upcoming festivals

Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival

Online

14 April, 2024

The DART FESTIVAL

Buenos Aires, Argentina

October, 2024

Toronto Women Film Festival

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

September, 2024

PRESSKIT

Nemad©c Launches South American Street Art Documentary

AMSTERDAM, NL, Oct. 01, 2023 – Nemad©c, an independent film production company based in the Netherlands, proudly announces the launch of ARMED with a BRUSH, a documentary portraying the works and lives of Chilean street art movement Brigada Ramona Parra (BRP).

The BRP originated in 1968 as a propaganda department of the JJCC (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, Chilean Communist Youth League). As a young group they supported the democratically elected President Salvador Allende.

The early members of the Brigada Ramona Parra (named after a political activist assassinated in Santiago in 1946) painted verbal messages on strategically placed walls of the capital to communicate their views in support of democracy and equality. Their art form evolved into colourful murals depicting symbols of what they have always believed to be basic human rights, while lashing out against totalitarian regimes and social inequalities.

During the Pinochet regime, members of the BRP were captured, tortured, and killed, while others went into exile. Still, BRP members persisted in their belief that the paintbrush was mightier than the sword, that ideas would eventually conquersenseless violence and repression.

Today’s BRP is stronger and more determined than ever to peacefully paint for justice and equality among Chileans. Despite the political lull, the BRP brigadistas remain relentless in their strife for a more equitable democracy in Chile, passingtheir art form and beliefs on to even younger generations, relentlessly, colourfully
depicting the dreams and hopes in the hearts and minds of the Chilean people.

In a series of compelling interviews spanning across three generations and nearly 60 years of muralism, ARMED with a BRUSH explores the origins, motivations, symbolism, and evolution of this unique, bold, relentless pacifist movement in a country still wrought with unsolved social and political issues. This never-ending search for justice and equality among the Chilean people may be best expressed by Chin Chin, a senior brigadista, whose firm belief is that (they) “can change the world”.

About Nèmad@c: Nemad©c is an independent film production company founded by audiovisual editor and director Nèma van Raalte. With over 20 years of experience in editing and directing for the Dutch television industry, Ms. Van Raalte is launching her first documentary, ARMED with a BRUSH.

Fernando Antonio Ossandón Zubieta
Emotional documentary that highlights the work of graphic, social and political resistance of a group of artists that expressed their desire for the freedom of an entire country with paintbrushes.
Iquique, Chile
Alicia Noemi Salomone
Great documentary film.
Don't miss it!
Santiago, Chile
Boris
van der Spek
With images straight from the streets, through personal interviews and framed by the music of Chilean social movements, it is a unique vision of one of the most fascinating artistic collectives in Latin America.
Concepcíon, Chile
Previous slide
Next slide
Emotional documentary that highlights the work of graphic, social and political resistance of a group of artists that expressed their desire for the freedom of an entire country with paintbrushes.
Fernando Antonio Ossandón Zubieta

Iquique, Chile
Great documentary film.
Don't miss it!




Alicia Noemi Salomone

Santiago, Chile
With images straight from the streets, through personal interviews and framed by the music of Chilean social movements, it is a unique vision of one of the most fascinating artistic collectives in Latin America.
Boris van der Spek

Concepción, Chile
Cinema Cappuchino


Jaipur, India
31/01/2024
Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival Final

Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
4-7 april 2024
LA Independent Women Film Awards


Los Angeles, USA
28/03/2024
Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival (DWBFF)
Online
14/04/2024
The DART FESTIVAL

Buenos Aires, Argentina
october 2024
Toronto Women Film Festival

Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 2024
Cinema Cappuchino
31 Januari 2024
Jaipur, India
LA Independent Women Film Awards
28/03/2024
Los Angeles, USA
Puerto Aventuras International Film Festival
4-7 April 2024
Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
Documentaries Without Borders International Film Festival (DWBFF)
14/04/2024
Online
Toronto Women Film Festival
September 2024
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DART FESTIVAL
October 2024
Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Next slide

premiere in chile

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND -> SANTIAGO, CHILE

Play Video

LATIN AMERICA, CHILE

kaart Chile frontpage
Play Video

1

SANTIAGO AIRPORT

We’re going to Chile because we don’t want to miss this amazing adventure. We’ve spent years on making this documentary.

After a fifteen hours flight, we’re already trying to focus on what we’re here for. Let’s vlog, social media, here we come!

Play Video
Celebrating premiere of ARMED with A BRUSH in Santiago, Chile

3

VALPARAÍSO

Covered in bright sunlight with it’s beautiful colored houses and the Open Air Street Art Museum (Museo del Cielo Abierto) Valparaíso seems to be the capital of muralism. Could there be a place, more suitable for the presentation of my documentary?

Previous slide
Next slide

5

CONCEPCÍON

A cool sea breeze through my hair while I walk to the studio for a TV interview. Fifteen minutes live on air, wow!

On my way to another interview. This time on radio. Local media are on it, they report about tonights presentation in Concepcion! After that, straight through to show, where we meet the fourth generation of Brigadistas.

Antofagasta, capital of the Atacama desert, Chile

7

CONCEPCÍON​ -> VALDIVIA

Valdivia is in the South of Chile. In Santiago often praised for it’s beauty and famous for it’s crafted beer.
It’s a six hours drive by bus, a beautiful way to see some countryside.

Play Video about Night trip from Valdivia to Concepcíon, Chile

9

CHILLÁN

The typical Chilian way:
Only 1,5 hours drive from Concepcíon, comfortably close-by. We departed one hour late, typical Chilean. As was the lovely lunch at Juanita, true Chilean food. Very beautiful wallpaintings, covering the city. We meet in a historical building transformed into a museum where the documentary will be shown at 18:00h. No sign of any technician or equipment and it’s already 17:20h. After 50 minutes of stress and running around, the show has been canceled and postponed. Probably it will be shown in March 2024.

airplane flying over Chile
Play Video about airplane flying over Chile

2

SANTIAGO

Opening night of ‘ARMED with A BRUSH’ in the Auditorium of the
Museum of Memory and Human Rights. The premiere was very special. After the viewing there was time for a Q&A-session, the opportunity for the audience to directly ask questions to the director.

Not all the main characters were there. Due to physical circumstances our old friend Chin Chin was not able to join us at the auditorium of MMDH.

When we left the building, we got a call. Chin Chin had just passed away. Our thoughts are with Chin Chin’s family, loved ones and friends and with all the people who carry this special person in their hearts.

“We will paint untill we reach heaven” Chin Chin

Previous slide
Next slide

4

IQUIQUE

Enclosed by the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama desert, this once cosmopolitan city in the North is our next stop. It’s main street has the looks and feel of a town in an Western movie. What a place this is…

After a warm welcome by the local government officials it was time for the launch of our docu.

Great responses from the audience. A variety of victims of the dictatorship, their children and students all complimented us, for different reasons, on the documentary.

An invitation for a radio interview with Carla Bruna at ‘UNAP’ is the topping on the cake.

Play Video

6

ANTOFAGASTA

The original plan was to go to Antofagasta, the capital of the Atacama desert. It would be an eight hour busdrive from Iquique. But due to changes in the scedule, we couldn’t be there in time for the show. But AntofaCine díd show our film twice.

Play Video about Roadtrip from Concepcíon to Valdivia

8

VALDIVIA -> CONCEPCÍON

Completely excausted after a show and a Q&A, back on our way to Concepcíon. While we’re staying over in Concepción,  the documentary is shown twice more this week in Teatro Condell in Valparaíso.

Play Video about newspaper anouncement: Famous documentary ARMED WITH A BRUSH

10

SANTIAGO

The typical Chilian way:
With five days left to finish all our work.
We end up what we’re doing most. Filming.

Patrico Albornoz, one of the main characters in the documentary, told us years ago why he thought this work so important. “If I can open the eyes of a child, even if it is just one, this work is worth doing.”

I couldn’t agree more…

Patricio (Ecos), Benjamin Benjamín, Felipe Smides, and Carvajal Delgadillo painted together with boys and girls from the Uruguay school, a basic school located in the commune of Santiago. This is part of the Muralism project, ‘Refreshing Santa Isabel Avenue’.

1

SANTIAGO AIRPORT

We’re going to Chile because we don’t want to miss this amazing adventure. We’ve spent years on making this documentary.

After a fifteen hours flight, we’re already trying to focus on what we’re here for. Let’s vlog, social media, here we come!

airplane flying over Chile
Play Video about airplane flying over Chile

2

SANTIAGO

Opening night of ‘ARMED with A BRUSH’ in the Auditorium of the
Museum of Memory and Human Rights. The premiere was very special. After the viewing there was time for a Q&A-session, the opportunity for the audience to directly ask questions to the director.

Not all the main characters were there. Due to physical circumstances our old friend Chin Chin was not able to join us at the auditorium of MMDH.

When we left the building, we got a call. Chin Chin had just passed away. Our thoughts are with Chin Chin’s family, loved ones and friends and with all the people who carry this special person in their hearts.

“We will paint untill we reach heaven” Chin Chin

Play Video
Celebrating premiere of ARMED with A BRUSH in Santiago, Chile

3

VALPARAÍSO

Covered in bright sunlight with it’s beautiful colored houses and the Open Air Street Art Museum (Museo del Cielo Abierto) Valparaíso seems to be the capital of muralism. Could there be a place, more suitable for the presentation of my documentary?

Previous slide
Next slide

4

IQUIQUE

Enclosed by the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama desert, this once cosmopolitan city in the North is our next stop. It’s main street has the looks and feel of a town in an Western movie. What a place this is…

After a warm welcome by the local government officials it was time for the launch of our docu.

Great responses from the audience. A variety of victims of the dictatorship, their children and students all complimented us, for different reasons, on the documentary.

An invitation for a radio interview with Carla Bruna at ‘UNAP’ is the topping on the cake.

Previous slide
Next slide

6

CONCEPCÍON

A cool sea breeze through my hair while I walk to the studio for a TV interview. Fifteen minutes live on air, wow!

On my way to another interview. This time on radio. Local media are on it, they report about tonights presentation in Concepcion! After that, straight through to show, where we meet the fourth generation of Brigadistas.

Play Video

5

ANTOFAGASTA

The original plan was to go to Antofagasta, the capital of the Atacama desert. It would be an eight hour busdrive from Iquique. But due to changes in the scedule, we couldn’t be there in time for the show. But AntofaCine díd show our film twice.

Antofagasta, capital of the Atacama desert, Chile

7

CONCEPCÍON​ -> VALDIVIA

Valdivia is in the South of Chile. In Santiago often praised for it’s beauty and famous for it’s crafted beer.
It’s a six hours drive by bus, a beautiful way to see some countryside.

Play Video about Roadtrip from Concepcíon to Valdivia

8

VALDIVIA -> CONCEPCÍON

Completely excausted after a show and a Q&A, back on our way to Concepcíon. While we’re staying over in Concepción,  the documentary is shown twice more this week in Teatro Condell in Valparaíso.

Play Video about Night trip from Valdivia to Concepcíon, Chile

9

CHILLÁN

The typical Chilian way:
Only 1,5 hours drive from Concepcíon, comfortably close-by. We departed one hour late, typical Chilean. As was the lovely lunch at Juanita, true Chilean food. Very beautiful wallpaintings, covering the city. We meet in a historical building transformed into a museum where the documentary will be shown at 18:00h. No sign of any technician or equipment and it’s already 17:20h. After 50 minutes of stress and running around, the show has been canceled and postponed. Probably it will be shown in March 2024.

Play Video about newspaper anouncement: Famous documentary ARMED WITH A BRUSH

10

SANTIAGO

The typical Chilian way:
With five days left to finish all our work.
We end up what we’re doing most. Filming.

Patrico Albornoz, one of the main characters in the documentary, told us years ago why he thought this work so important. “If I can open the eyes of a child, even if it is just one, this work is worth doing.”

I couldn’t agree more…

Patricio (Ecos), Benjamin Benjamín, Felipe Smides, and Carvajal Delgadillo painted together with boys and girls from the Uruguay school, a basic school located in the commune of Santiago. This is part of the Muralism project, ‘Refreshing Santa Isabel Avenue’.

Play Video about Seven colors bird used in a wallpainting

Nemad©c Launches South American Street Art Documentary

AMSTERDAM, NL, Oct. 01, 2023 – Nemad©c, an independent film production company based in the Netherlands, proudly announces the launch of ARMED with a BRUSH, a documentary portraying the works and lives of Chilean street art movement Brigada Ramona Parra (BRP).

The BRP originated in 1968 as a propaganda department of the JJCC (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, Chilean Communist Youth League). As a young group they supported the democratically elected President Salvador Allende.

The early members of the Brigada Ramona Parra (named after a political activist assassinated in Santiago in 1946) painted verbal messages on strategically placed walls of the capital to communicate their views in support of democracy and equality. Their art form evolved into colourful murals depicting symbols of what they have always believed to be basic human rights, while lashing out against totalitarian regimes and social inequalities.

During the Pinochet regime, members of the BRP were captured, tortured, and killed, while others went into exile. Still, BRP members persisted in their belief that the paintbrush was mightier than the sword, that ideas would eventually conquer senseless violence and repression.

Today’s BRP is stronger and more determined than ever to peacefully paint for justice and equality among Chileans. Despite the political lull, the BRP brigadistas remain relentless in their strife for a more equitable democracy in Chile, passing their art form and beliefs on to even younger generations, relentlessly, colourfully depicting the dreams and hopes in the hearts and minds of the Chilean people.

cameraman standing between paint jars

In a series of compelling interviews spanning across three generations and nearly 60 years of muralism, ARMED with a BRUSH explores the origins, motivations, symbolism, and evolution of this unique, bold, relentless pacifist movement in a country still wrought with unsolved social and political issues. This never-ending search for justice and equality among the Chilean people may be best expressed by Chin Chin, a senior brigadista, whose firm belief is that (they) “can change the world”.

About Nèmad@c: Nemad©c is an independent film production company founded by audiovisual editor and director Nèma van Raalte. With over 20 years of experience in editing and directing for the Dutch television industry, Ms. Van Raalte is launching her first documentary, ARMED with a BRUSH.

Nemad©c Launches South American Street Art Documentary

AMSTERDAM, NL, Oct. 01, 2023 – Nemad©c, an independent film production company based in the Netherlands, proudly announces the launch of ARMED with a BRUSH, a documentary portraying the works and lives of Chilean street art movement Brigada Ramona Parra (BRP).

The BRP originated in 1968 as a propaganda department of the JJCC (Juventudes Comunistas de Chile, Chilean Communist Youth League). As a young group they supported the democratically elected President Salvador Allende.

The early members of the Brigada Ramona Parra (named after a political activist assassinated in Santiago in 1946) painted verbal messages on strategically placed walls of the capital to communicate their views in support of democracy and equality. Their art form evolved into colourful murals depicting symbols of what they have always believed to be basic human rights, while lashing out against totalitarian regimes and social inequalities.

During the Pinochet regime, members of the BRP were captured, tortured, and killed, while others went into exile. Still, BRP members persisted in their belief that the paintbrush was mightier than the sword, that ideas would eventually conquer senseless violence and repression.

Today’s BRP is stronger and more determined than ever to peacefully paint for justice and equality among Chileans. Despite the political lull, the BRP brigadistas remain relentless in their strife for a more equitable democracy in Chile, passing their art form and beliefs on to even younger generations, relentlessly, colourfully depicting the dreams and hopes in the hearts and minds of the Chilean people.

cameraman standing between paint jars

In a series of compelling interviews spanning across three generations and nearly 60 years of muralism, ARMED with a BRUSH explores the origins, motivations, symbolism, and evolution of this unique, bold, relentless pacifist movement in a country still wrought with unsolved social and political issues. This never-ending search for justice and equality among the Chilean people may be best expressed by Chin Chin, a senior brigadista, whose firm belief is that (they) “can change the world”.

About Nèmad@c: Nemad©c is an independent film production company founded by audiovisual editor and director Nèma van Raalte. With over 20 years of experience in editing and directing for the Dutch television industry, Ms. Van Raalte is launching her first documentary, ARMED with a BRUSH.

map Latin America map Chile

AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND -> SANTIAGO, CHILE​​

We’re going to Chile because we don’t want to miss this amazing adventure. We spend years on making this documentary. Now it’s finally time to see if it was all worth it…...

SANTIAGO AIRPORT

After a fifteen hours flight, we’re already trying to focus on what we’re here for. Let’s vlog, social media, here we come!...

SANTIAGO

Opening night of ‘ARMED with A BRUSH’ in the Auditorium of the Museum of Memory and Human Rights. The premiere was very special. After the viewing there was time for a Q&A-session, the...

“We will paint untill we reach heaven” Chin Chin.​

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DBfQgADsTk Not all the main characters were there. Due to physical circumstances our old friend Chin Chin was not able to join us at the auditorium of MMDH. When we...

VALPARAÍSO

Covered in bright sunlight with it’s beautiful colored houses and the Open Air Street Art Museum (Museo del Cielo Abierto) Valparaíso seems to be the capital of muralism. Could there be a place...

IQUIQUE

Previous slide Next slide Enclosed by the Pacific Ocean and the Atacama desert, this once cosmopolitan city in the North is our next stop. It’s main street has the looks and feel of a town in an...

IQUIQUE

Previous slide Next slide After a warm welcome by the local government officials it was time for the launch of our docu. Great responses from the audience. A variety of victims of the dictatorship...

ANTOFAGASTA

The original plan was to go to Antofagasta, up North in Chile. It would be an eight hour busdrive from Iquique.But due to changes in the scedule, we couldn’t be there in time for the show. But...

CONCEPCÍON

A cool sea breeze through my hair while I walk to the studio for a TV interview. Fifteen minutes live on air, wow!...

BACKSTAGE

Nèma van Raalte, director of the documentary ARMED with A BRUSH

ABOUT ME

When I was young I dreamt of becoming a Medical doctor. But at the end the love for arts was bigger than the interest in medical science. After graduating Visual Arts at The Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts I started working as an editor for television productions.

In 2009 I decided, after a permanent contract for years, to continue as a freelance editor. I loved it, I had time to explore new ideas and time to develop. As much as I like editing, I also wanted to become a director.
I dreamt of making documentaries, telling stories that matter.

In Belgium at an open-air art exhibition, I found myself in a tunnel filled with a mural. Bright colours combined in one painting, telling a story which was easy to comprehend.

If the pen is mightier than the sword, imagine how powerful a paintbrush can be …

When I was young I dreamt of becoming a Medical doctor. But at the end the love for arts was bigger than the interest in medical science. After graduating Visual Arts at The Maastricht Academy of Fine Arts I started working as an editor for television productions.

In 2009 I decided, after a permanent contract for years, to continue as a freelance editor. I loved it, I had time to explore new ideas and time to develop. As much as I like editing, I also wanted to become a director.
I dreamt of making documentaries, telling stories that matter.

In Belgium at an open-air art exhibition, I found myself in a tunnel filled with a mural. Bright colours combined in one painting, telling a story which was easy to comprehend.

If the pen is mightier than the sword, imagine how powerful a paintbrush can be …

Nèma van Raalte, director of the documentary ARMED with A BRUSH

MORE TO WATCH

2023: Schoolclass learns to paint

Chillán

2023: On the way back

On our way to Valdivia

Interview on Canal 9

2023: Concepcíon

Pato

In memoriam Chin Chin

2023: Behind the scenes

Ekeko

On our way to Chile

2018: Sea for Bolivia

filming in Den Hague

2013: Backstage

Please support us

Becoming a streetartist

Do it yourself, kid

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