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…
United Migrations?
Walk around London and it’s hard to avoid the Spanish vowels swirling around the air. The recent influx of Spaniards and Latin Americans arriving through Spain adds yet another layer to the original Spanish speaking communities.…
World Cup Profile: Colombia look to build upon successful 2014 campaign
In the second of our profiles on the Latin American, Spanish and Portuguese teams who have qualified for next year’s World Cup finals, Lewis Blakeman looks at Colombia – nicknamed ‘Los Cafeteros’ – and their chances of repeating…
Women in Words: Books for International Women's Day
After the Socialist Party of America organized a Women's Day in New York City on February 28, 1909, German delegates Clara Zetkin, Käte Duncker, Paula Thiede and others proposed at the 1910 International Socialist Woman…
Brazil: Facebook Enables Landgrabbing
In a new TV documentary, BBC Brasil penetrated deep within criminal networks illegally selling and deforesting conserved lands — even within an Indigenous reserve - to find some land grabbers are posting the plots they’re selling…
Paco Peña's Quimeras
An uplifting and inspiring piece that tells an emotive story and touches political themes through music, dance and the spoken word
Historias de Lavapies (2014) Dir. Ramon Luque
Historias de Lavapiés is Ramón Luque’s third release which opened this year’s London Spanish Film Festival. It is a truthful, beautiful snapshot into Spain’s multicultural society and continuing economic difficulty. Few films…
Not Another Play About War
Bringing real life British and Argentine veterans of the 1982 Falklands/Malvinas War to the stages of London and Brighton, Lola Arias is soon to create a ground-breaking theatrical experience. Latinolife talks exclusively to this…
Guillermo Del Toro: Mexico's Renaissance Man
Recently awarded the BFI FELLOWSHIP, the highest honour the BFI can bestow, Guillermo del Toro (61) now joins other great and distinguished artists and film makers like Martin Scorcese, Christopher Nolan, Tom Cruise, Akira…
Tapas Revolution
Madrid meets the British high street with Omar Allibhoy's Tapas Revolution
Minimalist vampire movie with a twist: ‘MY HEART CAN ONLY BEAT WHEN YOU TELL IT TO” .
Colombian-American Jonathan Cuartas has hit the ground running with his debut feature, ‘MY HEART CAN ONLY BEAT WHEN YOU TELL IT TO’, a moving tale of two dysfunctional siblings trying to protect their frail little brother against…
On the Edge of the Embrace: A Contemporary Tango Drama by David Chartoriski
In David Chartoriski's latest creation for the stage, "On the Edge of the Embrace", three souls perform a story of love, betrayal and freedom through sizzling dance movements, in an electrifying night of tango…
Lucas Santtana @ The 299, London
Having collaborated with giants of MPB (Música Popular Brasileira) such as Caetano Veloso, Marisa Monte and Paralamas do Sucesso, among others, and having played in Gilberto Gil's band for several years, the singer from…
Mexico: Informal Workers and the Pandemic
The story of Noe, a private driver and ambulant salesman, is that of many in Mexico left without an income or government help. It is left to informal neighbourhood based support to helps them get by.
Love Letter to Sampa
São Paulo, known as terra da garoa, “the land of drizzle” is Brazil’s largest city, home to over 21 million people. Latin America’s financial and cultural powerhouse, the city pulses with energy, contradictions and stories…
Buika: 'La Noche Mas Larga' (2012)
A few months ago I had the pleasure of interviewing Concha Buika. Charming, clever, talented beyond words and with a unique a yet universally appealing personal history: the daughter of African immigrants who grew up in Spain…
Ground Control to Major Juan
Elizabeth Mistry hears how the Colombian super-bard has put aside his Camisa Negra for a spaceman's helmet.
Mexican Milk
Indigenous culture is used to market the country at home and abroad, so why is it that only white faces appear on Mexican adverts?
Colombia - A Beacon of Light in a Chaotic World
As the situation in Syria and the Middle East gets ever more complex and violent, Colombia is finally finding its way out of a 50 year conflict that has ravaged the country, giving us hope in a chaotic world, argues Kristian…
Cuba Makes An Author's Dream
Many an author and musician have fallen to the seductions of the Latin Caribbean’s most intriguing island and bestselling author Rosanna Ley is no exception. Her latest novel Last Dance in Havana takes readers to the dusty dance…
FOR THE OPPONENTS (2026-Para los Contrincantes) by Argentine director Federico Luis
Federico Luis’ ‘FOR THE OPPONENTS’, has just won the Short Film Palme d’Or at the 79th Cannes Film Festival against stiff competition. In it, Damián López, a young aspiring boxer from the rough ‘Barrio Bravo’ of Mexico City,…
The Immigrant's View
Ana Asensio’s award-winning debut film 'Most Beautiful Island' is an unnerving psychological thriller set in the Big Apple that has been receiving rave reviews. I The film is based on Ana's own experiences living…
NORTHERN SOUL
Travelling independently is the best way to see the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic, says Elizabeth Mistry
Abimael Guzman
Yes Peru’s most notorious inmate! I hear he wants another ball and chain...
Brazil: Court Upholds Lula's Conviction in The Trial of the Century
A Brazilian court has upheld the conviction of the former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for corruption and money laundering, in a ruling that complicates his plans to run for a third term and marks an extraordinary change…
Things That Matter to...Al Roc
Al Roc (pictured left) is a member of Asilo 38, one of the biggest names on the burgeoning Colombian hip-hop scene, featured in the soundtrack to the film ‘Maria Full of Grace’. They come from "Aguas Blancas", one of…
The TransAtlantic Family
Family Atlantica are just that: a family. The band consists of British born Jack Yglesias, a producer and multi-instrumentalist, his wife Luzmira Zerpa, a Venezuelan traditional musician, singer and poet who has received…
Voltio and the Salseros of the Carcel
Voltio's visit to London this week somehow got us walking down the nostalgia path of Latino music 'en la carcel'. It's a weird and wonderful journey behind the musical bars.........
Nae Pasaran(2018) Scottish Solidarity to Powerful Effect from Afar.
NAE PASARAN (2018) is a stunning documentary written, directed and produced by Felipe Bustos Sierra. It is the moving true story of how a group of engineers working in a Scottish factory did their bit to help prevent more…
Brazil’s Heartbeat: Why Samba Is More Than Just Music
If your introduction to Brazilian music begins and ends with a few globally recognised hits, you’re only scratching the surface. Brazil’s musical landscape is vast, layered, and deeply tied to its social and cultural history. At…
THE GUESTS Dir. Cristina Diz and Stefan Butzmühlen
A Spanish-German collaboration has produced this interesting ‘road’ movie set in 1973, that touches on how old ingrained traditions affect us when a Spanish ‘guest’ worker tries to take her dying mother back her village in…
A BODY IN THE WORLD
One of the brightest gems of contemporary Brazilian music, Luedji Luna fuses Afro-Brazilian rhythms, jazz and soul with poetry that honours her Bahian roots. Having just picked up two Latin Grammies, one for Best Brazilian…
Brazil Beyond Belief
“There is just so much space here!” was one of the most recurring thoughts I had on my trip to Brazil. Perhaps a pretty basic observation given I was visiting the largest country in Latin America. Yet my poor brain, accustomed…
Chile's Artistic Renaissance Questions the Past
From decades of silence and a few lone voices such as documentary-maker Patricio Guzman, has come a flourishing arts industry in Chile, with film studios like Fabula, Oscar-winning directors like Sebastian Lelio, and artists like…
SPAIN'S CULTURAL ARMADA IN LONDON
You'd have to be deaf not to notice the huge influx of Spaniards to London in recent years. Nowhere was it more evident that at this year's Latin US Awards, which witnessed a huge Spanish participation and success. Here…