
Memories of a Burning Body (2024) by Costa Rican director Antonella Sudasassi Furniss
The Costa Rican submission to the 97th Academy Awards for ‘Best International Feature’ is Antonella Sudasassi Furniss’s moving fictional documentary ‘Memories of a Burning Body’, which will be screened at the BFI London Film…
SUJO (2024) by creative Mexican duo Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez
With ‘SUJO,’ a cartel drama, award-winning writer/directors Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valadez bring a new slant to the ‘shadow of violence’ that haunts Mexico to the 2024 BFI London Film Festival.
OLIVIA AND THE CLOUDS (2024) visually exciting animated feature by Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat.
“Like they don’t see something is pulling them apart.” In ‘Olivia and the Clouds’, relationships flounder, steeped in memories and hopes as animator, film maker, professor and artist from the Dominican Republic, Pichardo-…
Collective Monologues (2024) by Jessica Sarah Rinland
‘Wednesdays are a day of rest in the zoo’. Not for the visitors or the carers, but for the animals. Anglo-Argentine Rinland gazes into the finer, intimate life of zoos and rescue centres across Argentina, making it a sensual…
MAGDALENA, TE AMO (2024) by Andrea Calao
‘Magdalena, Te Amo’ (2024) is a moving short film about student sex workers in New York. Premiered at the New York Latino Film Festival, it has also been longlisted for the 2024 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards.
DRAGONKEEPER (2024) fantasy animation adventure directed by Salvador Simó and Yianping Li.
“There are questions that should not be answered because the answers should be found!” Based on Carole Wilkinson’s book, ‘Dragonkeeper’ is an exciting animated feature being released on September 27th in the UK,
THE SEPTEMBER REGGAETON RECAP
September brings a temperature drop but the artists’ this month are still making some fire records. From a bossa nova song performed in Portuñol to a track with six artists taking their turns to show off their fast and sharp flow…
The Sound of Healing: An Interview with Nicaraguan singer Ceshia Ubau
With her award-winning album 'Luz' and a plethora of singles - 'Para Mi', 'Melodia Sagrada', 'Marzo 2020' and 'Caminar' - pre-selected for this year’s Latin Grammy Awards,…
BBC’s STORYVILLE has found a quiet gem with ‘INHERITING THE CASTLE (2023)’ by Argentine director Martin Benchimol.
Inheriting the Castle (2023) is the moving and gentle tale of 60- year-old Justina and her 20-year-old- drum- mad daughter Alexia, who inherit a mansion, deep in the Argentine pampas.
We Love Sergio Mendes
Sergio Mendes may not have been the main originator of bossa nova - one of the most innovative musical movement of the 20th Century - he may not have been the most talented musician to come out of Brazil, but he became the most…
LOS TALLOS AMARGOS (1956) by Argentine Fernando Ayala
“There are fools in Germany, fools in France and fools in Argentina.” Cine Lumière screens a classic cult film noir from the Golden Age of Argentine cinema, 'Los Tallos Amargos' (1956) directed by Fernando Ayala.
Latin America's Heroes: Paralympic Glory in Paris 2024
The Paralympic Games have brought more than 4,000 athletes from around the world, and Latin America. Here's a breakdown of great Latin American achievements...
EL AFFAIRE DE MIU MIU (2024) by Laura Citarella.
The Giornate Deglo Autori’s world première of ‘EL AFFAIRE MIU MIU’ (2024) by fêted Argentine director Laura Citarella, at the 2024 Venice Film Festival on August 31st, has added a thrilling mystery tale to the compelling female…
Spanish Chef Masterclass: Omar Allibhoy Makes Spanish Food Look Easy
Join me as I uncover the secrets of traditional Spanish cuisine from Omar Allibhoy: the Madrid-born chef who has been trying to convince Brits to cook tapas for over fifteen years, and had a shot at teaching me how to make paella…
A READERS GUIDE TO MEXICO
To read a book from or about Mexico is to transport yourself to another time or place. Novels from some of the great writers such as Rosario Castellanos or Elena Garro or beautifully observed memoirs also clash with the harsh…
THE AUGUST REGGAETON RECAP
August is in-your-face with many artists on this list capitalising not only their songs but their names too. This month is also a final opportunity to soak up the sun and digest August’s hottest hits. One song features a well-…
Leonor: The Story of a Lost Childhood
What the FARC? Women are the silent victims of Colombia’s conflict, exploited and abused by guerrillas as much as their enemiesGavin O’Toole reviews the book Leonor: The Story of a Lost Childhood by Paula Delgado-Kling. The…
Latino Heat: The Stars of the 2024 Olympics
As the world tunes in to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics, the spotlight shines brightly on Latin American athletes who are set to leave an indelible mark on the global stage. These athletes, hailing from various countries across…
As Fado Bicha – Challenging the Taboos of Portugal's Most Famous Music
Whilst the ‘Three Fs’ of fado - Fatima (the shrine), Football and Fado - which cemented the genre's association with the Salazar dictatorship, and its inherent conservatism, especially about gender issues, have put many…
THE JULY REGGAETON RECAP
July is the month of collaborations! From a trio packed with Argentinian All-stars to another who are each representing their own nation, it’s great to see artists working together providing the ultimate summer soundtrack.
10 Distinguished Brits You Didn't Know Were Colombian
The UK hosts the world's second largest Colombian diaspora, and has born generations of talent in all fields of life. But with their very British accents, you may not even know who they are. From dancers, painters,…
Resilience and Resistance: a History of the Colombian London
Over the last 50 years, hundreds of thousands of Colombians have made their mark as the UK's largest spanish-speaking community. As a consequence, Londoners are never far away from the enticing smell of pandeja paisa, the…
Pacific Tumbao
In the vibrant world of Colombian salsa music, few names resonate as powerfully as Jimmy Saa. Known for his electrifying performances, soulful voice and bringing the rich sounds of his native Buenaventura into a unique brand of…
Maná Ignites Wembley With An Electrifying Performance
Mana performed in London for the first time ever, closing its European tour with a sold-out event at Ovo Arena charming fans from all over Latin America and Europe.
London's Top Latin Food Stalls
FOODIE ALERT!!! From Ceviche, bandeja paisa, empandas and churros to tacos, paella, pan de bono and cholados, London has some of the best Latin American street food in Europe. Recently we picked the best of the crop to come and…
Doña
Hackney’s pink and red Mezcal heaven, Doña, has recently branched out from their basement cocktail bar to open a ground floor restaurant. Set up by Thea Cumming and Lucia Massey, Doña wants to provide “a safe space for all”, and…
El Bar de Cavita
In the dark, incense-filled basement of Cavita Restaurant is El Bar de Cavita. The room is atmospheric - there’s enough background noise for it to feel both busy and intimate, and the low lighting lends itself to an ambiance of…
KAROL G AT THE 02 ARENA
Colombia’s Leading Lady performed in London’s largest arena and made sure no one in the crowd left the venue without a smile on their face.
J Balvin at the 02 Arena
A night of show-stopping, awe-inspiring production mixed with the perfect ratio of laid-back and heart-warming moments from the artist. J Balvin at this height of his career continues to set the standard for creativity, …
Spices Seeped in Determination and Resilience: How Maria Marte Became a Culinary Star
In the heart of Madrid’s bustling culinary scene, where flavours from around the world converge, one Dominican chef stands out with her remarkable story of perseverance and passion. Latino Life talks to Maria Marta, the first…
SORCERY (BRUJERÍAS) 2023, by Chilean director Christopher Murray, based on true events, opens on June 14th 2024.
‘Dead birds for sorrow.’ With elements of mystery, myth, magic realism and horror, SORCERY, Set in the enigmatic Chilean island of Chiloè, in 1880, has a mesmerizing quality, that was recognized with awards at the Cinélatino…
Decimo
Located on the top floor of the Standard Hotel in King’s Cross, Decimo is a show stopper from start to finish. Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, proud holder of a Michelin star, blends Spanish and Mexican cuisine to create a uniquely…
The Danger of Being Underestimated: the Peruvian Double Agent who was Key to D-Day Victory
On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when thousands of Allied troops landed on beaches across Normandy, starting the campaign to liberate Nazi-occupied northern Europe, we look at how Elvira de la Fuente Chaudoir, a little known…
Bad Gyal at The 02 Forum
The rising Catalan pop star made a return to London at the 02 Forum as part of her debut album tour ‘La Joia - 24 karats’ - a performance of hard-hitting club anthems, electric energy and irresistible dancing, dampened at times…
Bar Esteban
As a local to the area, Bar Esteban is my go-to for tapas. Deceptively spacious and simply but elegantly decorated, this spot screams Crouch End, with Aesop soap in the bathroom and stylish Salvador Dalí business cards. With a…