Being Samba
In his love letter to Samba, Vinicius Mariano de Carvalho , declares its importance to Brazilian identity and explores what it means to embrace this art form in all its simplicity and complexity.
ALL IS VANITY Dir. Marcos Mereles
A story within a story within…who bit the apple first? A moody, acerbic photographer (Sid Phoenix) and his intern assistant (Yaseen Aroussi), the blasé make- up artist (Rosie Steel) and the laconic model (Isabelle Bonfrer) meet…
Nando Reis' Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert island, which tracks would you absolutely need to get you through those times of despair? Our castaway this month is iconic rock star, Nando Reis, the bass player of one of Brazil's most…
The Politicisization of Venezuelan Culture
Gloria Carnevali, Venezuelan Cultural attaché 1995-2006, says Chavez' cultural policy poses both benefits and dangers to Venezuelan culture.
Victor Jara presente – Across the World
'The Right to Live in Peace' and 'Manifesto': the two Victor Jara Songs of hope of the 1970s that became anthems for today's young protesters
HAPPINESS, A PLAY by MARILIA SAMPER opens at the Cervantes Theatre
“Sometimes it is best not to see anything” – This is a moving play that reveals the challenges of life in a working-class condominium. Where is the solidarity?
'UNDERCOVER' (La Infilfrada) Dir. Arantxa Echevarría
Based on real events, ‘Undercover’ (La Infiltrada) tells the story of young police officer Arantxa Berradre, who, living undercover in San Sebastian, becomes the only police officer to infiltrate the inner circles of the…
‘I AM AWAKE’ - Paraguayan artist Feliciano Centurión
Feliciano Centurión’s whimsical and moving works are on display at the Cecilia Brunson Gallery September 19th – December 13th 2019.
Without Stillness There Is No Dance.
Gilles Brinas believes profoundly in the universality of dance and the Arts and feels that Stillness and Silence are vital ingredients of drama. So,he developed ‘Che Malambo’, which is indeed a dramatic show, based on the ‘…
Brazil: Munduruku People Fear Annihilation
The Tapajós River Basin lies at the heart of the Amazon, and at the heart of an exploding controversy: whether to build 40+ large dams, a railway, and highways, turning the Basin into a vast industrialized commodities export…
“The Birth of Latin Jazz was simultaneous to the Birth of Jazz”
Associate Professor of Music at Columbia University, Chris Washburne is one of the world’s leading academics on both jazz and Latin music and a respected musician in his own right, having played with many of the artists he writes…
“The Horror Seeps Through the Cracks”
Set during the harshest period of the Pinochet Dictatorship, ‘1976’ (2022) is an intelligent and moving study of a well-to-do housewife, Carmen, who, after being asked to care for a wounded activist, finds her life changing and…
Surrogate Latino #3 Kishon Khan - bandleader
For years, Kishon Khan’s Lokkhi Terra has been blending the musical traditions that surround the band members; from Sufi Samba to Baul Blues to Bengali Folk-Son to Bangla Roots Reggae to London Descargas. Their 6th album ‘…
A Timeline of Greatness - Musical Anniversaries to Celebrate in 2024
Here at LatinoLife, whilst nurturing up-and-coming artists, we never forget on whose should we stand and who we have to thank for the rich tapestry of sounds that we’ve inherited. This year in particular we look forward to some…
Oriximiná: Quilombolas vs The Mines
In Oriximiná, a municipality in the northern state of Pará, traditional people see their lands being invaded by mining, under the conniving gaze of the authorities
Learn Something New in Buenos Aires
From soccer skills in the footsteps of Messi and Maradona, riding out with the polo ponies and tangoing with the old school pros, for visitors to Buenos Aires can delve beyond the usual tourist trails and upskill on a series of…
Pastelón - Plantain Lasagna
Plantain Lasagne is the perfect food combo, sweet & salty and best of all low-cal compared to a typical lasagne. In this recipe, which originates in Puerto Rico, thin layers of tasty plantain replace the layers of pasta…
LATIN LONDONER #58 - Lorena Andrea, Actor
Hot off her role as Perla in Disney’s 2023 musical romantic fantasy ‘The Little Mermaid,’ London-born Colombiana Lorena Andrea is best known for her role as Sister Lilith in the Netflix fantasy series 'Warrior Nun'.…
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…
Latin Music 2.0: Meet Candela Records’ Rising Stars
Ever since reggaetón became the world’s most streamed music genre, the major music labels have been on the hunt for the Latin music stars of the future. In a brave move, one global brand decided to look to UK shores for a new and…
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,
WOMEN ON THE VERGE: Iberian Female Talent on the Rise
In the last few years, in an attempt to catch up with the US-based powerhouse that has become Latin music, Spain’s musical output has been in overdrive. While Karol G overtakes her male counterparts as reggaetón’s most successful…
We Love Omar Geles
Omar Geles was one of Colombia's most important Vallenato singers and musicians and the most prolific composer of his generation. His band Los Diablitos, which he formed with Miguel Morales, produced a string of hits in the…
LATIN LONDONER #63 - Díana Bermudez, Actor
A fiercely multi-faceted performer, Díana made history as the first Colombian actress to feature in a Marvel series, playing Yatzil in 'Moon Knight' opposite Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke. Closer to home, she was part of…
THE MOLE AGENT (2020) Dir. Maite Alberdi
“I love the fact that everything I would like to invent already exists; the challenge is to find it!” With this attitude, Chilean director Maite Alberdi brings her highly original eye to her documentaries, not least THE MOLE…
Ana Gabriel at Wembley Arena, London
London's Latin American community were out in force at Wembley on Friday, July 7, to welcome popular Mexican singer Ana Gabriel to the capital.
Colombian Cumbia Tracks
New York's DJ Bongohead, pioneering graphic designer, artist, DJ, writer and percussionist, has compiled collections for labels like World Music Network, Nascente, Fania, and Vapisoul. He has designed album covers and…
Latin Londoner #35: Adriana Cavita, Chef and Food Entrepreneur
Adriana Cavita, the prodigious Mexican chef who previously worked at El Bulli and Pujol, is bringing the authentic flavours of Mexico to London at her debut restaurant, Cavita.
La Roja are dead! Long live la Roja!!
On the day Spain’s monarch abdicates, the most imperious footballing team of recent years also relinquishes its crown. It is ironic that the original La Roja, Chile's national team, is the one that rendered the name of the…
The Accidental Hero
Once a struggling rock star in Bogotá, Carlos Vives became a national symbol almost overnight by fusing Colombia’s traditional vallenato rythmns with modern rock and pop. As if to represent the unity of a country in conflict, the…
Latin Londoners #42: REYKO, Electronic Music Duo
The London based electronic music outfit REYKO is made up of Soleil and Igor, both from Spain. The duo first began capturing attention with several viral songs surpassing overall 40 million streams, and breaking through to…
SEX WORKERS' OPERA
With a cast made up of workers in the sex industry and actors (its not clear whom is which to preserve anonymity) this unique multimedia production written by British-Uruguyan singer and composer Alex Etchart, offers a brutally…
Spotlight on...L-Gante
Ahead of his debut London appearance this Friday we profile the pioneer of 'RKT' - a musical genre that stems from mixing reggaetón beats and cumbia villera sounds, a style very particular to Argentina, with heavy tones…
J Balvin "El niño de Medellin" review
J Balvin bares soul and fights with conscience in his brilliantly told story.
Films to Watch Before You Die #9 – “The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) by Juan José Campanella
What Hides Behind Their Eyes? – 20 Years of Unresolved Cases between Love and Death.