Celia The Queen
US/ 84mins/ Dirs. Joe Cardona & Mario de Varona
With: Celia Cruz; Andy Garcia; Quincy Jones; Gloria Estefan
A touching documentary about the life and legacy of a stellar performer who brought the sound of salsa to the whole world.
Erupting onto the Cuban music scene as the lead singer for La Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz broke down barriers of racism and sexism. With the powerful weapon of her voice and the warm tolerance of her heart, Celia soon became all things to all people.
Directors Joe Cardona and Mario de Varona use original photography they captured while following Celia the last five years of her life as well as archival footage of both Celia and her loving husband, Pedro Knight, to tell the inspiring story of a little girl from Havana who became an international diva.
Celia The Queen shows the diversity of the people whose lives she touched, from the big stars of music, literature and film like Quincy Jones, Andy Garcia and Wyclef Jean to fans all over the world. Foremost, this is the presentation of Celia as the warm, strong, free spirit who adored her fans and earned without question her title: “the Queen.”
Plus discussion with Tomek
A Polish Londoner, Tomek was hijacked by salsa when a soul and jazz pilgrim in NYC in 1973. The sensation of incredulity at his utter identification with the music has never abated. Tomek became a specialist Salsa DJ and started his own Latin radio programme, Aracataca – the UK’s first 100% authentic Latin music radio show – for Jazz FM, Kiss FM, Festival Radio and All Nations Radio; Aracataca on the airwaves first started celebrating ‘musica latina’ in London in 1984, Aracataca now runs on Totally Radio.
In another guise, Tomek has authored “Tapas Made Easy” – the perfect introduction to the world’s most civilized bar food. A beautifully photographed and easy-to-handle book, the uncomplicated, delectable, authentic recipes are presented so that any home chef can easily master them.
Part of FIESTA 2010! with Kilburn Festival in partnership with Clave Latina