Original title: Yo no me llamo Rubén Blades
Singer, songwriter, musician. Acclaimed actor, Harvard educated lawyer, successful politician. The life and career of Ruben Blades has taken anything but the expected, well-trod path. On the cusp of retiring as a performer, and keenly aware that the number of years behind him outnumber the ones to come, salsa’s renaissance man takes an honest and unflinching look back on a life rich with triumph, heartbreak, and above all, a deep and unshakeable love for his people. From his childhood in Panama and a political awakening spurred by the sovereignty riots of January 9, 1964; to a redefinition of salsa music itself by bringing a social dimension and commentary to the form, Blades has followed his heart and confounded expectations at every turn, carving a unique path and consistently opening up new possibilities for those who follow.
Featuring electrifying footage from his final tour, a lively and candid walk through his Chelsea, New York home and neighborhood, as well as testimonials from such icons as Paul Simon, Sting, Francisco “Bush” Buckley, and Junot Diaz, Ruben Blades Is Not My Name is a testament to a rare talent whose restless heart has indeed helped change the world. Panama’s official entry to the 91st Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.
Sinopsis española
Cantante, compositor y músico. Actor aclamado, abogado educado en Harvard y político exitoso. La vida y carrera de Rubén Blades ha tomado un camino que es cualquier cosa menos predecible o por muchos otros ya recorrido. En la cúspide de su retiro de los escenarios y profundamente consciente de que los años tras de sí son más de los que vienen, el hombre del renacimiento de la salsa toma una honesta e inquebrantable mirada retrospectiva hacia su vida rica en triunfos, decepciones y, sobre todo, un profundo y firme amor hacia su gente. Desde su infancia en Panamá y el despertar político incentivado por los disturbios de soberanía el 9 de enero de 1964, hasta la redefinición de la “salsa” al darle al género una dimensión social, Blades ha seguido su corazón y desafiado expectativas a cada momento, construyendo un camino único y abriendo de manera consistente nuevas posibilidades para aquellos que lo sucederían.
Esta película presenta electrizante material de archivo de su tour final, una vivaz y cándida caminata a través de su hogar y barrio en Chelsea, Nueva York, así como testimonios de íconos como Paul Simon, Sting, Francisco “Bush” Buckley y Junot Diaz. Yo no me llamo Ruben Blades es un homenaje a un raro talento cuyo corazón incansable sin duda ha ayudado a cambiar el mundo y es la candidata oficial de Panamá para la 91 edición de los Premios de la Academia en la categoría de Mejor Película Extranjera.
Screening with Short Film:
Máxima: This Land of Mine
On a remote farm deep in the Peruvian Andes, a farmer is putting a halt to the plans of one of the biggest mining companies in the world. Having endured over 5 years of court proceedings, Máxima Acuña and her family are still fighting to keep the land they have worked so hard to call their home.
Director: Mariel Sosa | Documentary | 21 min | 2017 | Peru | Spanish
CINE LATINO
Returning for a sixth year, Cine Latino is among the key showcases of Ibero and Latin-American cinema in the United States.