Wayunagu means “Our Ancestors” in the Garifuna Language.
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Copyright 2016 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.
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Original Date Published: August 10th 2016.
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Orange, California — Garifuna fans of Action Movies should rejoice, as Honduran Garifuna Martial Artist, Actor and Movie Producer Angel Valerio Jr is preparing to shake up the world with his new movie, Wayunagu (“Our Ancestors” in the Garifuna Language).
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The Story of Wayunagu The Movie is as follows.
A former kickboxer from the United States named Ivan, returns to his native land of Honduras.
Viewed as an foreigner by the locals, Ivan has a hard time fitting in.
After a botched robbery and accidental murder of a teenager, Ivan finds himself being hunted by a group of machete wielding bandits intent on revenge.
Lost, injured and alone, Ivan must discover himself in the jungles of Honduras and face his fears, in order to save his own life…
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A teaser trailer to this independent action drama movie, Wayunagu (“Our Ancestors” in the Garifuna Language) was recently put up on youtube.
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A martial artist from Triunfo de la Cruz, Honduras, who moved to Brooklyn, New York City as a child; Mr. Valerio has earned black belts in various martial arts styles and competed in professional kickboxing tournaments.
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Here is a Mr. Angel Valerio Jr’s promo video for Chuck Norris’s World Combat League.
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Upon being cast in a play entitled, “Children of Legacy” by Sean Nelson, Mr. Valerio’s love of acting was born.
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After moving to California, he met filmmaker Christopher R. Miles and the two teamed up to co-produce and act in two short films and one feature film.
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Mr. Valerio and I recently had an email correspondence where he explained what he aims to do with this movie.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: Is Wayunagu an action movie?
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Angel Valerio Jr: It is an action drama.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: What made you want to make a Garifuna movie?
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Angel Valerio Jr: I go back and forth to Honduras often.
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About 2 years ago, I went to Honduras and I asked the children there why don’t they speak the Garifuna Language?
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One kid replied that he “don’t speak that shit”.
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Other children said they were embarrassed to speak it.
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Since I’ve been making films in the United States, one day I just made up my mind to make movies for my people.
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So I decided I would go film in Honduras and do films just for us in OUR Garifuna Language and OUR Garifuna culture.
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It became my mission.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: When did you film Wayunagu?
Angel Valerio Jr: We filmed Wayunagu over the course of three weeks in June 2016.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: Where did you film Wayunagu?
Angel Valerio Jr: 90 percent of the movie was filmed in Honduras.
We filmed it in Corozal, Honduras; Sambo Creek, Honduras and The La Ceiba International Airport.
10 percent was filmed in the United States, mainly in Chicago where his character is compelled to go to Honduras through dreams of his ancestors.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: Who amongst the cast in this movie are Garifuna?
Angel Valerio Jr: All the actors and actresses in this movie are Garifuna.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: You mentioned that you wanted to do the movie entirely in the Garifuna Language for fear of the Garifuna Culture being lost.
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Would you like to add anything as to why you wanted to have all the dialogue in the movie spoken in the Garifuna Language?
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Angel Valerio Jr: Garifuna people have forgotten about their ancestors and their language. This movie is for them.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: Are you familiar with the award-winning independent movie, Garifuna In Peril?
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Have you seen it? If so, what did you think of it?
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Angel Valerio Jr: Yes, I saw the Garifuna In Peril film. It was good. I enjoyed it.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: What do you hope to achieve with this Wayunagu movie?
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Angel Valerio Jr: I hope this action drama can get children to be proud to speak their Garifuna Language and to better know their culture.
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Image is everything and if they see a movie and the image they see on the big screen is a Proud, Strong, Garifuna man, I hope it may inspire them to just be Proud to be Garifuna.
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You know that Spanish is the main language spoken in Honduras.
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Do you know how hard it was to find actors in Honduras that speak the Garifuna Language?
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It was really HARD.
I speak Garifuna fluently.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: What kind of movies did you watch growing up. What’s your favorite movie?
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Angel Valerio Jr: I grew up watching Bruce Lee films and all the Shaw Brothers Kung Fu films.
I watched films from Hong Kong, China and Korea.
My favorite movie of all time is Enter the Dragon.
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Angel Valerio Jr: I am also a big fan of the 1985 movie, The Last Dragon.
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Teofilo Colon Jr: When will the public be able to see your action drama movie, Wayunagu?
Angel Valerio Jr: There is a lot more to do. However, The Wayunagu movie will premiere in January 2017 in La Ceiba, Honduras.
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