The Revenge of the Latin Oldies
First there was Buena Vista, now there is Ondatrópica, a new Afro-Latin big band embracing the past, present and future of Colombia’s cumbia sound, and bringing to the global fore some of the greatest talents from the seventies…
Butterfly Catching
In Madame Butterfly, the One Man Opera, the butterfly takes flight one more time as the abandoned son goes looking for his father in the US. Mexican born Ignacio Jarquin, who himself metamorphosised from Opera conductor to singer…
‘Venezuela 70: Cosmic Visions of a Latin American Earth’ Various Artists (Soul Jazz Records)
Despite being as rich in music treasures as its neighbours Brazil, Colombia and Cuba, few Venezuelan artists are known outside its borders. The country has a fascinating musical history, and in the 70’s, with loads of petro-…
Bad Education
Eduardo Chapero-Jackson has been dubbed by critics as the latest ‘one to watch’ in new Spanish cinema. Here at London'sThe Spanish Film Festival, supported by the Cervantes Institute, the writer and director talks to…
Gabriel Garcia Marquez - 6th March 1927 - 17th April 2014
“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.”
Cheap Frills Better than No Frills for Argy women
In post-crisis Argentina, middle class women have been forced to lower their lingerie standards.
“Beyond the Legend…Lies a More Fascinating Truth”
It was a gloomy Sunday. The grey sky and all-consuming rain made my bed feel like a toasty heaven, which I was reluctant to leave. However, the anticipation and desire to see first-hand the beautiful gold art work of my…
This Latino Week
Colombian mayor catches Covid, New working scheme in Barbados, Ecuador on alert, Colombian cartels enforcing lockdown, Mexican football league starts again and Bad Bunny's new spotlight story.
Day of the Flowers (2013) Dir. John Roberts Starring Carlos Acosta
Our very own Cuba aficionado Kerry Ribchester, went to the Day of the Flowers premier to see if all the fuss about the new Latin-infused chic flick, starring Cuba's very own global ballet icon Carlos Acosta, was all it…
Spain's Sweet Revenge
Four hundred years after Henry VIII divorced and disgraced Spain's beloved Katherine of Aragon, Spain has the chance to seek sweet revenge on the old rascal by bringing its interpretation of Shakespeare's Henry VIII to…
Larry Harlow's Fantasy Island Tracks
If you were stranded on a desert Island, which tracks would you absolutely need to have to get you through those times of loneliness and despair? Our castaway this week is Fania legend Larry Harlow, known affectionately by his…
The Young Face of the Old PRI?
Now the PRI have been given a second chance by the Mexican public, after its 71-year authoritarian rule, are they proving to be the same old dinosaurs?
Favourite Quotes from our Favourite Latinos...
Sofia Vergara, Mitt Romney, Dilma Rouseff, Carlos Tevez and George Lopez among the gaffers this week.
Can Ecuador’s Golden Generation Break the Ceiling? The Road to 2026
For a long time, the narrative around Ecuador was that they only thrived at the altitude of Quito. That hasn't been the case for several years now. This current squad is the youngest and arguably most talented in the country…
‘Duologue’ by Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez
What happens when two titans of contemporary Cuban music collide? A rare work of art that sends shivers down the body to its very soul...
The President and the Miners
Chilean president enjoys his moment in the spotlight after rescuing ‘the 33’. But beneath the media coverage he is in danger of burying some more complex issues.
“The dead man doesn’t help” – 7 Reasons To Run Away (2019) at the Raindance Film Festival Dir: Esteve Soler, Gerardo Quinto & David Torras
Brutal, hilarious, black humour at its best, the film ‘7 Reasons to Run away’ (2019) is made up from a group of independent stories listed under respectable, socially conscious titles: Solidarity, Order, Property, Work,…
Split Identity
Viggo Mortenson’s Argentine background (hence his perfect porteño accent) is unknown to most film fans. In this film, the actor famous for his role as Aragorn in Lord of The Rings, The Road and Eastern Promises embraces his ‘…
Colombia's Plebiscite: Catharsis in Writing
Colombians in the UK blog to express their hope, sadness and determination to keep peace alive
Would Oil be a Blessing or a Burden? The Cubans Sure as Hell Want to Find Out...
With speculation in the air and a Chinese drilling rig poised off its coast, Hugh O'Shaughnessy visits the island and talks to Ricardo Alarcón, president of the Cuban Parliament, about the country's hopes and fears.
Lonesome George - The death of a subspecies
The very last of his subspecies, the Pinta Island resident passed away at the estimated age of a hundred.
LATIN HOTLIST #14 - Autumn 2019
From Latino Power to Harina Power, Latin Apparel launches an exclusive range of Latin identity merchandise...
What Happens When London Gospel goes Latin
The London Community Gospel Choir is a musical force to be reckoned with. With a career spanning over 30 years, and led by the dynamic and charismatic Bazil Meade, LCGC is known for its funky gospel flair, swing-beat, R’n'B…
This Latino Week
GDP to fall, Cuba sends more help, Brazil's indigenous fears, Christ the Redeemer tribute, Ronaldinho released and Bolivar now available on Netflix.
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…
In the Beginning, the Sea…in the End, a Global Literary Journey
Colombian author Tomás González began writing the story of his brother. Thirty years later it is a tale that has travelled the world captivating readers, and now landed in the English speaking world. Latinolife interviews…
Filming Cuba
Next week sees the release of 'Day of the Flowers' - a comedy drama about two Scottish sisters travelling with their late father’s ashes to Cuba, and starring Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta. In this interview, BAFTA…
'Loop Explorations’ by Camilo Menjura
What started as a one-off experiment for a choral music festival became the latest album by the much-loved London-based Colombian singer-songwriter and choral master Camilo Menjura. Loop Exploration is the result of Menjura'…
Nicolá Cruz Prende el Alma (ZZK Records)
French/Ecuadorian producer Nicolá Cruz’ first full-length album is a masterpiece of experimental electronic music fused with folk sounds. No fillers but a great amalgam of folk percussion, Andean flutes with synths, and…
‘The Paranoids’ Dir. Gabriel Medina (DVD release)
With humour, pain and irony, Gabriel Medina's ‘The Paranoids’ takes us into the internal world of oddball Luciano as he comes to terms with his life
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…
Michel Camilo & Tomatito ‘Spain Forever’ (Decca)
Dominican pianist Michel Camilo and Spanish guitarist Tomatito, have become one of the great musical pairings of the century. Back in 2000, after being friends for years, the two maestros recorded the seminal album ‘Spain’, which…
Top 10 Greatest Latin American World Cup Players
How do we define "Greatest"? It isn't just a tally of goals or a collection of medals, it's unquestionable leadership as the nation’s heartbeat, a sustained peak of individual performance on the world’s…
La Chiva se enganche!
La Chiva Gantiva are a heady mix of Colombian and Belgian musicians. With inspiration from Toto La Momposina and Afro Coloombian music, the six piece have turned into a fiery cultural sound clash full of life and colour. With a…
THE APRIL REGGAETON RECAP | 2026
What a year it's been for the Latin music industry so far, with Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show back in February and now US Festival Coachella's first ever Latina headliner courtesy of La Bichota Karol G. That…