Basque-American filmmaker Javi Zubizarreta launches blog 'For You'

Javi Aitor Zubizarreta, the Boise-born, Basque-American director who brought us Artzainak: Shepherds and Sheep, has launched a blog to coincide with the release of his latest work: Zuretzako (For You).

Zuretzako, which stars Javi's father Luis and brother Josu in the lead roles of father and son, is the first ever American-made Basque language film. It is based on the life of the filmmaker's own grandfather, Joaquin, the first Zubizarreta to move to Boise and raise money for his family by herding sheep.

The film first premiered at Javi's university (Notre Dame in Indiana) in March.

The new blog contains information about the features, the filming process, the cast and crew and press coverage, and will eventually include details about the date and location of forthcoming screenings.

Artzainak: Shepherds and Sheep, the 2009 award-winning documentary co-directed by Javi about modern-day shepherds in Idaho, has been aired on ETB as well as in festivals in Spain, France, Ireland, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and other countries.

Growing up, Javi was immersed in the tales his family and ancestors from Euskadi, splitting time between Boise's Basque community and the Basque Country itself. As a filmmaker, he strives to communicate his Basque heritage into films that are not "only unique but uniquely Basque".