- event type:WOMEX 20 Film
- date:24 Sep 2020 - 08 Oct 2020
- time: -
- venue:Online
- event posted by:Piranha Arts
Links
The film was available to stream online on the virtualWOMEX platform from the 24 September - 8 October 2020 with your WOMEX 20 Digital Registration.
Directed by Jeremy Marre
50 mins | UK, 1979
Salsa the vibrant dance music of the Latin communities in New York and other cities in of the US as well as the islands of Puerto Rico and Cuba – this film exposes the roots and meaning of Salsa through the voices of its greatest exponents. For decades, Salsa has profoundly influenced jazz and pop music and provided a style of walking, talking and dancing for the Latin community.
From the barrios of New York City to the Caribbean, Salsa captures Latin music in all its joy and improvisational brilliance. Celia Cruz is shown in rehearsal; Tito Puente performs with his band in the barrio; Ruben Blades demonstrates how politics and music can work together, while Ray Barretto plays bongos at a barrio wedding. The drumming of the secretive Santeria cult shows the influence of African culture that underpins all Salsa and that gives spiritual power to its message.
Jeremy Marre(1943-2020) made over 100 films during a fifty year career which spanned the globe, documenting and promoting the music and culture of the marginalised, and shedding new light on the lives of those on whom he turned his camera. Marre’s early work included the seminal 14 part series, Beats of the Heart and his final film, Count Basie: Through His Own Eyes, was completed in 2019. It is currently being broadcast around the world. It is now available to stream on Amazon and will be shown by the BBC on 24 October 2020.
Featuring: Ray Baretto, Willie Colon and band, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Charlie Palmieri.
Film Contact: Harcourt Films