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Salsa Lives (La salsa vive)

Salsa Lives (La salsa vive)

Salsa Lives (La salsa vive)

Dir. Juan Carvajal
101 min

13th Cine Latino Film Festival

Saturday, October 11 at 7:00 PM

Salsa Party follows the film:
Enjoy a special performance by Ritmo Latino at the 7pm screening of SALSA LIVES and stick around after for Cine Latino’s Salsa Party featuring the Twin Cities Latin Band.

ABOUT THE FILM

The rhythms, passion and energy of Salsa do not recognize borders. Born in the vibrant streets of New York, it conquered and reigned in Cali when it began to "disappear" in the Big Apple in the 80’s where hundreds of Latinos once filled and thrive in the dance halls. Featuring salsa legends like singers Rubén Blades and Henry Fiol, percussionists Samuel Formell, Johnny "Dandy" Rodríguez, who played for years with Tito Puente's orchestra, and orchestra conductor Willie Rosario, who is now 100 years old; La salsa vive captures the spirit, relevance and legacy of this music with previously unseen archival footage, live recordings, and scenes from everyday life in the city.

With a rigorous selection of iconic and key representatives of the genre, Colombian director Juan Carvajal’s debut film, also explores the vital African and Caribbean roots of the genre and the historical connection between salsa and the Afro-descendant communities of Colombia and New York. This illuminating journey through the evolution of salsa demonstrates how entire generations have shared their stories, and emotions; and have celebrated their common identity through music, and dance, dazzling people from all over the world.

LA SALSA VIVE – En español

Los ritmos, la pasión y la energía de la salsa no conocen fronteras. Nacida en las vibrantes calles de Nueva York, conquistó y reinó en Cali cuando comenzó a "desaparecer" en la Gran Manzana en los años 80, donde cientos de latinos antes llenaban y prosperaban en las salas de baile. Con leyendas de la salsa como los cantantes Rubén Blades y Henry Fiol, los percusionistas Samuel Formell, Johnny "Dandy" Rodríguez, quien tocó durante años con la orquesta de Tito Puente, y el director de orquesta Willie Rosario, quien ahora cumple 100 años, La salsa vive captura el espíritu, la relevancia y el legado de esta música con material de archivo inédito, grabaciones en vivo y escenas de la vida cotidiana en la ciudad. Con una rigurosa selección de representantes icónicos y clave del género, la ópera prima del director colombiano Juan Carvajal también explora las vitales raíces africanas y caribeñas del género y la conexión histórica entre la salsa y las comunidades afrodescendientes de Colombia y Nueva York. Este iluminador viaje a través de la evolución de la salsa demuestra cómo generaciones enteras han compartido sus historias y emociones, y han celebrado su identidad común a través de la música y el baile, deslumbrando a personas de todo el mundo.

PRESENTED BY MSP FILM SOCIETY

Cine Latino returns October 8–12 to The Main Cinema for five days of Spanish- and Portuguese-language films, special guests, fiestas, food trucks, and more! The 13th annual celebration of US Latino, Latin American, and Ibero Cinema honors the longstanding film traditions across these communities, showcasing a richness of stories, the beauty of place, and vibrant cultures through the power of film.

Film Details

Program: Cine Latino
Film Type: Documentary Feature
Release Year: 2025
Runtime: 101 min
Country/Region: Colombia, USA
Language: Spanish, English
Print Source: Cineplex
Tags: Arts, Dance, Documentary, Latino / Latin American Cultures, Music
Festival Programs: Bright New Voices, The Art of Living

Cast/Crew

Director: Juan Carvajal
Producer: Diego Ramirez, Kevin Lopez, Juan Carvajal
Cinematographer: Mauricio Vidal
Screenwriter: Juan Carvajal
Editor: Maria C Garcia
Composer: Felipe Bravo
Principal Cast: Rubén Blades, Henry Fiol, Willie Rosario, Angel Lebron, Johnny Rodriguez, Luis Eduardo Mulato, Samuel Formell, Francia Elena, Yuleissy Montano, Kevin Santiago Quiñones