By Stephanie Ornelas
Nothing brings us together like music and art — especially when celebrating the unique stories and melodies of one’s culture.
The abundance of musical variety across all Latinx nations and groups is nothing short of astounding. From mariachi to cumbia to Argentine rock, Hispanic communities have often used music to honor their traditions at festivals, and gather together during times of joy or grief.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re honing in on the rich tapestry of Latinx music and the awesome stories about the talented artists who bring it to life.
The films — both fiction and nonfiction — listed below are stories of real Latinx musicians who left an impact on listeners and fans across the globe. Take a symphonic journey through these incredible Sundance-supported projects, and join us as we explore the vast richness of Hispanic heritage.
Mija (2022 Sundance Film Festival, supported by the 2020 Documentary Film Program)
Isabel Castro’s documentary follows Doris Munoz who began a career in music talent management at just 23 years old. Working passionately to advocate for rising Latinx artists, she’s dedicated to discovering and promoting Latinx alternative music. When recent news causes her to rethink her decision to work in music, she discovers Jacks Haupt, an promising young Latinx R&B singer. The two find solace in their similarities as they navigate the pressure to provide for their households, the love of music, and the guilt of being the first American-born members of their families.
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The Return of Ruben Blades (1986 Sundance Film Festival)
Robert Mugge’s documentary gives audiences a portrait of beloved Panamanian singer, actor, bandleader, and composer: Ruben Blades. The film follows his journey to achieving a Harvard Master’s degree, explores his old neighborhood in Panama, and features stellar performances with his band Seis Del Solar.
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Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It (2020 Sundance Film Festival)
Musical lovers probably know Rita Moreno for her performance of Anita in West Side Story, but the famed Puerto Rican singer, actress, and dancer is also known for popular songs like “Cuando Despierto,” “Preciosa,” “Tu Regalito,” and others.
In Mariem Pérez Riera’s nonfiction feature, intimate footage details the life of a groundbreaking performer, including Moreno’s early years in Puerto Rico and her childhood as an immigrant in New York City. The film also dives deep into the racial bias Moreno faced while working in Hollywood.
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Romantico (2005 Sundance Film Festival, supported by the 2004 Documentary Film Program)
Mark Becker’s insightful and moving documentary follows two Mexican mariachi singers who make a living performing on the streets, at bars, in restaurants, and for weddings in San Francisco. But when the two musicians return to Mexico, one of them finds it much harder to earn enough money to support his family, and he contemplates another illegal crossing into California.
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Tango Feroz (1994 Sundance Film Festival)
Known to many audiences as Tanguito or Wild Tango, Marcelo Pineyro’s first feature is loosely based on the story of rock singer Jose Alberto Cruz, also known as “Tango.” The biopic takes viewers on a journey through Buenos Aires in the late ’60s when Cruz inspired a generation — often singing about love, freedom, loyalty, and peace.
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Violeta Went to Heaven (2012 Sundance Film Festival)
Andrés Wood’s drama tells the extraordinary story of pop culture icon, Violeta Parra, who inspired a nation and protested social injustice through popular songs like “La Carta,” “Arauco Tiene Una Pena,” and “Pupila de Aguila”. A beautiful portrait of the famed Chilean singer and folklorist, the film explores Parra’s musical work, her journey through motherhood, and her travels through Chile.
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