Cali, Colombia: the salsa capital of the world, where the streets are alive with the vibrant sounds of music and dancing. Untangling salsa’s cultural roots, director Juan Carvajal traces the hybrid genre’s dynamic evolution in New York City as an infectious blend of Afro-Cuban styles and American jazz in the 1960s and 70s to Cali, where the tradition endures today, livelier as ever.
La Salsa Vive takes on a celebratory atmosphere, exploring salsa’s ability to inspire communities and bring a bit more passion to quotidian life. Against a backdrop of rare archival footage and performances, renowned musicians like Rubén Blades and Willie Rosario share stories and perspectives from their careers, emphasizing salsa’s power to enrich the soul. An immersive and beautiful embodiment of the exuberance salsa brings out in people, Carvajal’s documentary highlights the rich legacy of the genre as it reaches new heights with each generation.
Rubén Blades, Henry Fiol, Willie Rosario, Angel Lebron, Johnny Rodriguez, Luis Eduardo Mulato
Colombia/USA
2025
In Spanish with English subtitles
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Credits & Director
Producer
Diego Ramirez, Kevin Lopez, Juan Carvajal
Screenwriter
Juan Carvajal
Cinematography
Mauricio Vidal
Editor
María Clara Guzmán
Original Music
Felipe Bravo, Rubén Blades, Henry Fiol, La Máxima 79, Rubén Gonzalez, Mario Allison, Alfredo Linares, Grupo Niche, Los Van Van de Cuba
Juan Carvajal
With a rich background in film programming, Juan Carvajal has showcased the unique perspectives of Colombian filmmakers and fostered cultural connections as the founder of the Colombian Film Festival in New York. Now, transitioning from curating to creating, he aims to craft narratives that resonate universally and capture the essence of the human experience.
Portraits
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An exuberant celebration of salsa that traces the genre's evolution from New York City in the 1960s and 70s to Cali, Colombia — the salsa capital of the world. Carvajal’s documentary highlights the rich legacy of this musical form and the joy it inspires.
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