It's a major event, in terms of Disney history: the documentary "Walt and El Grupo" presented by the Walt Disney Family Foundation will be released by Walt Disney Pictures on September 11.
Why? Because the amazing footage of Walt and El Grupo "chronicles the amazing ten-week trip that Walt Disney and his hand-picked group of artists and filmmaking talent (later known as “El Grupo”) took to South America in 1941 at the behest of the U.S. Government as part of the Good Neighbor Policy. During this time, the Roosevelt administration had growing concerns about Nazi and Fascist influence in Latin America, and the rest of the world was slipping further into war."
"In stark contrast to these trying times, Disney and his colorful group of artists found themselves on a lively trip full of hope and discovery as they explored various South American cities, spending the majority of their time in the countries of Argentina, Brazil and Chile. The group was saddled with an unusual assignment – while gathering story material, immersing themselves in the culture, befriending local artists, meeting political leaders and attending countless functions, their journey was also a de facto diplomatic mission, and as a result, the studio produced the classic films “Saludos Amigos” and “The Three Caballeros.”
"Shot on film in five countries, Walt and El Grupo is a tale that still resonates on both sides of the equator. The film time travels in Walt Disney’s footsteps through the use of personal letters and stunning artwork from the trip, remembrances by descendants and survivors, and extraordinary never-before-seen footage."
"Walt and El Grupo brings together an intertwined story of art and politics, the poignancy of a bygone age, and a legendary artist during one of his most trying times."
Disney and more readers may remember the fantastic "Walt Disney and Animation Artists in South America" pictorial article some months ago. These LIFE magazine pictures were shot during the same trip. In "Walt Disney and El Grupo movie, you'll see them "live" whether it is Mary Blair making portraits of Chili villagers...
Or Walt Disney filmed practicing lasso, footage that will be used for the making of the Goofy sequence.
Another sequence shows Walt Disney (on the right) with the animators in Argentina Pampa.
The movie will be released in NY Quad theater, LA Westwood Landmark Regent theatre and at Anaheim AMC Downtown Disney on Sept 11 (which proves that something good can happen on that date!). The movie will then be released in Seattle at SIFF Cinema on Sept 25, in San Francisco at AMC Loews Metreon, and in Orlando, Boston, Chicago and Washington DC later... probably for a limited time, so if you live in these areas, this is a not-to-be-missed Disney event! In the meantime, here is the official trailer!
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Pictures and trailer: copyright Disney and the Walt Disney Family Foundation
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