A harp in a market, a tape recorder, and 50 years of music saved from oblivion.
In 1973, Juan Chopin Thermes found Juan Cayambe playing his harp in the Ibarra market (Ecuador). He takes it to his house and records his music on magnetic tape. As a result of this encounter, the music and poetry of Juan Cayambe survives. At the end of 2022, musicians from Imbabura and musicians residing in Paris will record new versions.
Sound
The original 1973 magnetic tapes—crackle and all.
Direction
Alvear bridges Ibarra and Paris without forced sentimentality.
Director
Miguel Alvear
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ecuador's Imbabura province has long been a cradle of Andean string traditions, yet few harpists achieved documented legacies outside local markets.
Director Miguel Alvear discovered the 1973 tapes while researching unrelated archival footage, initially unaware the musician was still alive.
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