iara lee was born and raised in brazil by korean parents. her career in film began as producer and programmer of the sao paulo international film festival, a tenure that lasted from 1984 to 1989. from there iara relocated to nyc to launch a film production company, caipirinha productions.
CAIPIRINHA PRODUCTIONS
under the caipirinha banner, iara directed three short films: 'prufrock,' 'neighbors' and 'an autumn wind,' before embarking on two full length documentaries - 'synthetic pleasures,' 'modulations' - and organizing a mixed media installation 'architettura' (film*music*architecture). iara's latest project is 'beneath the borqa,' her first activist short film, produced to encourage the international community to support women and children in afghanistan.
'synthetic pleasures' (about all things artificial) has been released independently through caipirinha in over 70 cities in the usa, and it has become a cult fixture in repertory houses and at technology-based events throughout the world. 'modulations' (an exploration of electronic music) debuted at the sundance film festival in january 1998, followed by a european premiere at the berlin film fest. it enjoyed a successful theatrical release in the usa and canada and continues to play in music and film festivals worldwide. there is a tie-in book (published by dap) to go along with the film.
iara's next project is set to be a contemporary adaptation of the 19th-century brazilian novel 'dom casmurro,' a powerful story of love and betrayal by celebrated author machado de assis.
CAIPIRINHA MUSIC record labelin early '97 caipirinha expanded from film production/distribution into the world of music. after just four years on the scene, caipirinha has become a critically-acclaimed stand-out among US electronic record labels. caipirinha music focuses on electronica and its synergies with other art forms. from its inception, the label has extended the caipirinha philosophy by promoting cross-collaboration between countries in all forms of media, and cultivating strange and exciting musical experiences. caipirinha music has released 37 cds so far, including film soundtracks, full length albums, adventurous compilations, and mixed media projects like our 'architettura' cd series, for which musicians were invited to write music inspired by architectural forms.
FILMOGRAPHYOBLIQUE (tentative title)
narrative feature, in developmentcaipirinha productions is currently in the developmental stages of 'OBLIQUE,' based on the classic 19th-century novel 'dom casmurro' by famed brazilian author machado de assis. 'OBLIQUE' will mark the first narrative feature film from director iara lee and producer george gund.
iara looks forward to the challenge of doing a contemporary adaptation of the book, to be shot on location in brasilia, the capital of modern-day brazil. brasilia was designed by renowned architect oscar niemeyer in the 50s. known for its bizarrely futuristic look, the town will provide an intriguing and captivating setting for the film.
'OBLIQUE' is a classic story of love and betrayal. what was once adolescent pure love developed into the bitterest disillusionment and hatred. whether or not betrayal actually took place, however, we will never know. this tragic tale of a man devoured by his own passionate jeaulosy leaves us with an enduring sense of sadness, waste, misunderstanding and human folly.
BENEATH THE BORQA in A f g h a n i s t a n
12 minutes, color (2001)in 2001, iara's projects expand into human rights activism via arts & culture. embracing the afghan women's cause as her primary commitment, iara aims to alert the global community to the gender apartheid that is prevalent under the taliban regime where women have lost virtually all basic human rights. with this short film, featuring candid interviews with afghan refugees, we hope to raise awareness and promote action.
ARCHITETTURA
multiple-part film installation (2000)'tower of winds' * 'terminal happiness' * 'enclosed nature' * 'monumental minimalism'
in conjunction with the 'architettura' cd series on caipirinha music, the films in this travelling installation strive to find synergy between music, film and contemporary architecture in this age of globalization. the films address minimalism, purity and transparency, where buildings without text re-evaluate conventional notions of space, time and context.'MODULATIONS'- CINEMA FOR THE EAR
full length documentary (1998)'modulations' traces the evolution of electronic music as one of the most profound artistic developments of the 20th century. by cutting back and forth between avant garde composers, kraftwerk's innovative synthesizer drones, giorgio moroder's glacial euro-disco and afrika bambaataa's electro-funk, 'modulations' celebrates, replicates and illuminates the nomadic drift of the techno music sound. featuring a stunning collage of interviews, cutting-edge visuals, in-studio footage and live performances, modulations moves at a pace that matches the energy and innovation of the music.
SYNTHETIC PLEASURES
full length documentary (1996)'synthetic pleasures' began life as a short film focusing on a giant indoor beach in japan, but grew to encompass all things artificial - landscapes, beauty, sex, even intelligence. the 83 minute film appeared in over 50 film festivals worldwide, and completed a successful US distribution (independently through caipirinha productions) to over 70 cities. reviews in the new york times, the san francisco chronicle, wired and paper magazine among many others, all hailed the film as fascinating, thought-provoking, and even frightening. the film is now available on videocassette for those who missed it on the big screen.
AN AUTUMN WIND
6 minutes, color (1993)calligraphy and shakuhachi music set the pace and tone of this film poem. shot in kyoto during the fall, this experimental piece juxtaposes the haiku of master basho and the contemporary allen ginsberg.
NEIGHBORS
13 minutes, color (1992)the stones are on vacation. bill and arlene miller agree to feed kitty and water the plants. what begins as a curious peek at their neighbors' lives ends with obsession. curiosity leads to fantasy in this film based on raymond carver's short story.
PRUFROCK
4 minutes, B&W (1991)iara lee's first short film, 'prufrock', is an experimental film poem, based on t.s.eliot's 'the love song of j. alfred prufrock', narrated by matt dillon.
caipirinha productions
film*music*cocktails
re-inventing culturea caipirinha (pronounced ky-pee-reen-ya) is a potent brazilian cocktail.
1 large or two small limes
2 heaping tablespoons of sugar
3 ounces of cachaça (brazilian sugarcane brandy)
crushed icefirst cut the lime into eight wedges. put the pieces into a 10 oz drink glass. sprinkle the sugar on the lime. crush the sugar into the lime with a wooden pestle. pour the cachaça over the lime. shake or stir well. add ice. if you use vodka instead of cachaça, it's a caipiroska; with rum, it's a caipirissima.