The multi awarded production evolution from song to screen! – By P.Reeti
Hector Edoardo Rivera, a talented Mexican-American drummer and percussionist who honed his craft at the Los Angeles Music Academy (now LAMA College for Music Professionals in Pasadena), has always been driven by a passion for music that transcends genres. From jazz to rock, he’s played it all, and, in 2010, alongside Swiss trumpet virtuoso Mona Seda, he found his true voice in No Matter What!, a bilingual punk-rock band that brings together the soul of music and the fight for justice and that we are proud to present as a sponsor of Napulitanamente.
Their journey began with ‘Don’t Take It No More’, a fiery anthem inspired by the corporate greed and injustices that followed the 2008 financial collapse. It was just the spark needed to ignite a movement. Fueled by their unique blend of punk rebellion and Latin jazz flair, they released the powerful 14-track album ‘People Power’. Sung in both English and Spanish, the album is a bold exploration of love, justice, and humanity, spreading a message of peace and challenging listeners to think deeply about the world around them.
But Hector and his band mates didn’t stop at music. ‘People Power’ evolved beyond the bounds of sound, transforming into a concept album that morphed into a comic book, then an animated video series, and ultimately a full-length animated film. Produced by Hector, in collaboration with Canadian artist Danielle Hébert and narrated by Carlos Rivera, the movie takes the album’s message of courage, tolerance, and peace to new heights.
‘People Power’ isn’t just a movie; it’s a movement. With its stunning animation and resonant story about the power of unity and the human spirit, it has captured hearts and minds around the globe. The film and its Spanish counterpart, ‘Poder Del Pueblo’, garnered more than 30 awards at international film festivals, along with nominations, honorable mentions, and countless official selections. From Los Angeles to Berlin, from Paris to Istanbul, among celebrations, award and film screenings, its message continues to spread.
No Matter What! – People Power Awards:
.LA Underground Film Forum: Audience Choice Award, Best Underground Feature, Foreign Language .Feature, Narrative Feature, First Feature
.Berlin Indie Film Festival: Best Animation, War Theme Film
.Paris Film Awards: Gold Award Animation
.Miami Film Critic Award Festival: Outstanding Achievement, Best Song/Music, Animation, Debut Filmmaker
.Switzerland Film Fest & Screenplay Competition: Best Human Rights, Original Score, Narrator, Experimental Film
.Manchester Film & Creativity Festival: Best Experimental Film, Narrator, Music
.Munich New Wave Short Film Festival: Best Director
.London Movie Awards: Silver Award Original Song – ‘The Song Of Wrong’
.Florence Film Awards: Silver Award Experimental Film
.Milan Gold Awards: Gold Award Original Song – ‘Yearning For Peace’ (War Child)
.New York Movie Awards: Silver Award Original Song – ‘Go For It’
.Seoul International Short Film Fest: Best Trailer
.The Singapore International Competition: Best Animation & Art Film, Narrator
.Medusa Film Festival: Best Sound Design
.Bestlov Film Fest: Best Animation, Low Budget Film
.Accolade Global Film Competition: Award of Recognition Latin/Hispanic Filmmaker, Liberation/Social Justice/Protest
.Santa Cruz Independent Film Fest: Best Music in Feature Film
.Sofia World Film Fest -Bulgaria: Best Experimental Feature Film, Animation
. Istanbul Movie Awards Summer 2024: ‘Best Animation’
Despite its success, No Matter What! is not resting on its laurels and is gearing up for the next chapter, ‘People Power II: The Fight For Freedom’.
With the same fierce dedication and unwavering belief in music’s power to inspire change,
Hector and his band are ready to spark another revolution.
The world needs this story more than ever. ‘People Power’ is not just a testament to the triumph of the human spirit—it’s a rallying cry for all who believe in love, justice, and the hope of a better tomorrow.
