Movies Similar to Patria y Vida: The Power of Music

Nueva York: A Musical History of Latin New York(2021)

When the film West Side Story was released in 1961, New York's reviled Puerto Rican community gained some visibility and, over time, both in Spanish Harlem and the Bronx, neighborhoods plagued by poverty, drugs and crime, Hispanic identity was reborn and strengthened, thanks to a syncretic and intentionally popular music that eventually conquered the entire city.

Con Esperanza(2020)

When Ruben, a young Chicano musician, is caught between his mother’s expectations and his own hopes, he is forced to make a decision that will change his life forever. Based on true events, “Con Esperanza” follows Ruben on his journey of pursuing his dreams, balancing both the traditional and financial expectations of his Mother.

Two Beats One Soul(2018)

Husband and wife music producers Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew embark on an ambitious two week journey to Cuba to create a collaboration of sounds which originated from Afro-Caribbean roots that has evolved into what we now consider modern day Salsa music. Bringing together multiple artists from the U.S. and Cuba, the film shines a light on Cuban culture and takes the viewer through the creative process and challenges of producing an album while providing an auditory sensation that touches the soul. Featuring Eric Benét, Louie Vega and Sergio George-who has produced albums for Jennifer Lopez, Marc Anthony and more. Audiences will walk away feeling the passion, positive energy, triumph and love that keeps this musical marriage strong.

Sex, Maracas & Chihuahuas(2016)

A joyful tale filled with music. The rise of radio. The jazz big bands. The legendary clubs and ballrooms. The soundtracks of the great musical films and TV shows. Sex and romance, gangsters, luxury cars and palm trees. From Barcelona to New York, with a stop in Cuba. The birth of Las Vegas. The sound of the maracas. Chihuahuas everywhere. The incredible life story of Xavier Cugat (1900-90).

We Like It Like That(2015)

Latin boogaloo is New York City. It is a product of the melting pot, a colorful expression of 1960s Latino soul, straight from the streets of El Barrio, the South Bronx and Brooklyn. Starring Latin boogaloo legends like Joe Bataan, Johnny Colon and Pete Rodriguez, We Like It Like That explores this lesser-known, but pivotal moment in Latin music history, through original interviews, music recordings, live performances, dancing and rare archival footage and images. From its origins to its recent resurgence in popularity, We Like It Like That tells the story of a sound that redefined a generation and was too funky to keep down.

Guaco: Semblanza(2017)

Dcumentary directed by Alberto Arvelo, which is a record for the posterity of as the first five decades of the career as the projection into the future of "La Super Banda de Venezuela". It is related from the present with interesting testimonies and electrifying performances in concert.

La Casa del Ritmo: A Film About Los Amigos Invisibles(2012)

A compelling story about Grammy-winning Venezuelan funksters Los Amigos Invisibles, from their early days playing in Caracas, Venezuela, to being discovered by David Byrne of Talking Heads and their rise to international stardom. The viewer experiences their story as it intertwines with a live performance filmed at the Highline Ballroom in New York City in March 2011. The band, with the same original 6 members, celebrates 20 years in 2011.

Grupo Revelação: Ao Vivo No Olimpo(2005)

Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa)(1972)

Leon Gast's musical documentary reveals New York City's Latin culture and features live performances of salsa greats The Fania All Stars and The Spanish Speaking People of New York. A document of urban American Hispanic culture, Gast's film captures the rhythms of New York's Spanish Harlem, from illegal cockfights and Santeria rituals to the rooftops and backstreets of El Barrio and the legendary musicians performing at the Cheetah club.

John Santos: San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards 2011

The San Francisco Foundation Community Leadership Awards presents John Santos, musician and cultural activist, with the Helen Crocker Russell Award for making music that transcends cultural barriers and serves as a tool for social justice. As an educator, scholar, performer, and composer, he celebrates and promotes Latin music and understands that art has the power to inform and nurture.

Shapeless, Like Water(2018)

A character study of Puerto Rican struggling rapper Negro Gonzalez, a portrait of his island, a beautiful land tarnished by US colonization and an ode to the unbreakable spirit of Puerto Rican artists.

Ballad of an Unsung Hero(1983)

Using rare historical footage, vintage musical recordings, and interviews with 88-year-old Pedro J. Gonzalez and his wife, this film chronicles Gonzalez’s long and colorful life, from his early days with Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution, to his career as a popular radio personality in Los Angeles in the 1930s, to the controversial court case that sent him to San Prison, a victim of the repressive forces operating against the Chicano/Mexicano community during that period.

La propia gente(1981)

This documentary is comprised of three shorts: 'El Afinque de Marín' that follows the musicians of the group Madera. 'Yo hablo a Caracas' about an indigenous leader and his reply to the authorities of the venezuelan goverment regarding the violations towards his people and finally 'Mayami Nuestro' chronicles the relationship of venezuelans during the eighties with the city of Miami.

Romeo Santos: Utopia Live from MetLife Stadium(2021)

In this Concert he focuses on the star and most important defender of bachata, the Dominican singer and songwriter Romeo Santos, and his concert on September 21, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which broke attendance record . Romeo took advantage of this event to bring together, for the first time live, all the legendary bachateros with whom he collaborated on his acclaimed album Utopia (2019), to the delight of the public who sang his favorite hits.

Selena: Greatest Hits(2003)

Romeo Santos: The King Stays King – Live at Madison Square Garden(2012)

The February 21, 2013 , Santos was presented at Premio Lo Nuestro where he performed his single " Take me with you " 12 February 25, 2013 was presented at the Viña del Mar Festival including " Take me with you " in the list of songs from her presentation

Holy Camp!(2017)

María and Susana, two rebellious teenagers, spend the summer in a catholic camp. While they are grounded during a weekend, the most unexpected arrival in the most unexpected way will change their feelings about life, love and freedom.

Rhumba Rhythm at the Hollywood La Conga(1939)

Two starstruck visitors to Hollywood sneak into the famous nightclub and end up in a Conga contest and get more than they expected.

Luis Miguel: El Concierto(1995)

El Concierto is the first live album recorded by the Mexican singer Luis Miguel. The album was recorded in August 1994 during the promotional tour of the album Segundo Romance and included three Mexican standards composed by José Alfredo Jiménez and recorded for the first time by the artist with mariachi: "Si Nos Dejan", "Amanecí En Tus Brazos" and "El Rey". The album won in the Best Album category at the Eres magazine awards in 1995 and was nominated for Pop Album of the Year at the Lo Nuestro Awards of 1996

Juke Box Jamboree(1942)

A mouse, sleeping in the Zowie Cafe, has his sleep disturbed by the jukebox.