New Spanish Cinema - Daniel Monzon and Film Philosophy at its best
On the DVD release of Cell 211, Latinolife interviews Daniel Monzón, one of the new great directors of Spanish Cinema, Daniel Monzón reveals his passions and fears during the making of his film, which ended in some unexpected,…
“Che had the voice of a brother”
Ciro Bustos was Che Guevara’s right-hand man in Argentina and survivor of Che’s Bolivia campaign. Once accused of betraying Che, in his new book ‘Che Wants to See You’ Ciro relates what really happened and his life beside the…
Correa's Quest for Longevity in Ecuador
On the eve of his inauguration in 2013, Ecuador's President Rafael Correa explicitly stated he would not seek re-election in four years’ time. Now, Ecuador’s Congress has proposed legislation to abolish the limit on the…
‘No one should be buried in a place where you can’t leave flowers…’
No one was more surprised or moved than the author Juan Alberto Salvatierra when, in 1985, he heard on the radio that Joe Strummer, the legendary front man of The Clash was, with musician Jesús Arias, in an olive grove in Granada…
THE DECEMBER REGGAETON RECAP
This month is all about gift giving and these artists must’ve read our Christmas lists because they know exactly what tracks we’ve wished for. Everyone's favourite musical acts have been busy wrapping not just presents but…
LOVIN’ LATIN LONDON - The Writers
Latin America has its fair share of great authors, but what about the budding authors among London-bred Latino community? London’s Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese communities are well into their second and third…
The Midas Touch
While the whole world (yes even Simon Cowell) seems to have caught the Reggaetón bug and new talents (and not-so talented) are battling for no.1 hits on a weekly basis, Puerto Rican singer-songwriter has been riding on a high…
Human Rights Defenders in Honduras
Each day, human rights defenders speak out for the rights of others. And each day they risk their livelihoods, their liberty and in many cases their lives. As attacks, abductions, and assassinations increase in Latin America, we…
Capicua - 20 years taking feminist hip-hop to the rappers' boys' club
Ana Matos Fernandes, the rapper known as Capicua, Is one of Portugal’s most well-known hiphop lyricists. Born in Porto in 1982, she has a degree in Sociology and a PhD in Human Geography; her lyrics are as sharp and informed as…
In Defiance for Art
In 2016, the world said goodbye to the Buena Vista Social Club in a farewell ‘Adios’ tour that included shows in the White House, where they performed for President Barack Obama. Or so the world thought. Defined as 'the…
Bridge or Barrier? 10.000km (2014) New Release
Can a modern relationship survive long distance? Facebook, Skype and social media are designed to bring people closer, are they not? The award-winning opera prima ‘10.000 km (2014)’ of Carlos Marques-Marcet is finally available…
The Grandfather of Brazilian Hip Hop
When you're talking about Latin Hip Hop, you can't get much bigger than Marcelo D2. A former vocalist of the band Planet Hemp, Marcelo D2 started his solo career in 1998 with the album Eu Tiro É Onda. After many years…
Power Alley (Levante- 2023) by Brazilian director Lillah Halla
Lillah Halla is emerging as the new kid on the block in Brazil with her opera prima, Levante (Power Alley) that questions Brazilian politics and feminist freedoms and has already garnered no fewer than 8 wins and 8 nominations at…
Classic Latin Albums produced in the UK
Artists from all over the world come to record in London, and Latin Americans are no exception, from Soda Stereo to Buena Vista. But we are not interested in these 'parachute recordings', only the Latin artists who…
Açaí Bowl
Açaí is a berry that grows in the Brazilian Amazon. The antioxidant-rich dark purple berries are packed with amino acids, as well as vitamins A, B, C and E and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc. It…
Quinoa Banana Bread
This Quinoa Banana bread consists of classic south american ingredients, and is PACKED with protein, supplemented by extra chia seeds. It’s one of my favourite loafs in the world. I don’t add any sugar to mine but ripe bananas…
TEN YEARS A GRAVE
More than a decade after the Pasta de Conchos mining disaster killed 65 miners in Mexico, families are asking the UK to help with their struggle for justice, reports Elizabeth Mistry
What Will Biden Mean for Latin America?
After four years of global ridicule and eroding influence overseas, the new president will be under immediate pressure to show where his priorities lie. From détente with Iran to an assertive Russia and a combative China, Latin…
Ibero-African Tragi-harmony
Paco Peña, arguably the best-known flamenco guitarist and composer outside Spain, talks about the musical harmony and human tragedy of Africa’s relationship with Spain. In his upcoming dance show at Sadler's Well's…
Human Rights Defenders in Colombia
Each day, human rights defenders speak out for the rights of others. And each day they risk their livelihoods, their liberty and in many cases their lives. As attacks, abductions, and assassinations increase in Latin America, we…
MORNING MASQUERADE
Inaugurated this month, an exciting new mural by Argentine artist Patricio Forrester has been unveiled on a large wall in the Deptford Arena on the New Cross Road. Forrester has lived in the area for many years, and is very well…
Bebel Gilberto's 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? This castaway, world renowned and multi-Grammy-nominated Bebel Gilberto, daughter of bossa nova icon Joao…
Venezuelan Cinema in Search of 'Our Language'
Can Venezuela’s new state-sponsored cinema live up to its Cuban and Russian precedents or will it drown in the accusations of mediocrity and dogma that surrounds it?
Barrafina
Barrafina offers a delicious dining experience in locations dotted across London, with a variety of menus and ambiances. At the Borough Yards restaurant, we enjoyed a truly delicious set of dishes that left us looking forward to…
The Good Vibe
Not only did he showcase Bossa Nova to the world, Sergio Mendes personifies how you don’t have to be a shark to succeed in the global music business. The Brazilian music legend reminisces with Amaranta Wright on an amazing music…
Guatemalan Fire
Gaby Moreno, this Guatemalan Latin Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, has left an indelible mark in the collaborations she has partaken in, making her a true inspiration for all Latinos, let alone the small central American…
Gizane's Feijoada
The ultimate comfort food, and perfect for a British winter; the feijoada is a hearty stew of pork, jerk beef, black beans, heaps of garlic and other things that bubbles for hours on low heat. Every cook includes their own twist…
THE MARCH REGGAETON RECAP
The five songs below are just as unpredictable as the weather (in the best way possible). Whether you’re feeling like a club anthem or hearing some sounds that transport you back to the 2010’s, the past four weeks of music have…
Register for Ruby
Recently diagnosed with a complex form of blood cancer, friends of Ruby, a Salvadorian mother of two, have started a campaign to find a bone marrow donor of Salvadorian or Latin American descent to save her life. Elspeth Fuller…
‘FRAGMENTED DIALOGUES’: Art and Identity in 1980s Chile
Corina talks to the curator of a fascinating exhibition of the work by two Chilean artists, Mario Fonseca and Mauricio Valenzuela. It is on at Austin/Desmond Fine Art till 30 June and explores both the fragmented and silenced…
LATINO LIFE’S ULTIMATE REGGAETON RECAP 2025
It’s impossible to ignore the amount of Latin music and culture that has found itself at the forefront of the global music scene this year. Even more so, there’s been a rise in Latin-led music documentaries courtesy of some of…
Afro-Cuba returns to Africa via London
A triumphant reunion for Boncana Maïga’s transatlantic charanga orchestra Las Maravillas De Mali...not so much a reunion as a reformation. Octogenarian master flautist, composer and arranger Boncana Maïga was the only original…
The Resurrection of Fania
Everyone knows the legendary tunes that came out of Fania. Like all empires, Fania’s went into decline after the 1990s. For many years the catalogue of iconic albums that sold millions, made superstars of Latin artists such as…
Voice in Residence
In the often vacuous world of Reggaeton, Residente has stood out as one of its most outspoken artists. Even at the Grammy Awards, where he has, perhaps surprisingly, won more than any other Latin artist, the former Calle 13…
On the Divide: Reality and Hypocrisy in the Land of the Free
‘On The Divide' follows the story of three Latinx people living in McAllen, Texas who are connected by the most unexpected of places: the last abortion clinic on the U.S./Mexico border. As threats to the clinic and their…