This joyous and colorful three-part musical odyssey surveys Latino music from its origin five centuries ago in Africa and Spain to the contemporary sound of such popular artists as Gloria Estefan, Ruben Blades, and Dizzy Gillespie. The videos trace the journey of this music from its African and Spanish roots through its cultural blending in the Caribbean to its popularity in the U.S., and eventually throughout the world. Directed by Howard Dratch and Eugene Rosow 1990, color, three programs of 58 mins. Belafonte emphasizes the tradition, passion, artistry, and excitement that enlivens this music. This series fills a void and will be of interest to a large audience.
Technical production is excellent.
An insightful documentary portrait of one of New York City's poorest neighborhoods, and the lives of five of its Puerto Rican residents. By allowing them to describe their own lives and to express frankly their experiences and feelings, the video offers a remarkably insightful view of life in America's impoverished inner cities. The video combines illustrations of hundreds of art works with interviews with a dozen major contemporary artists and commentary by art critics. Recommended to academic libraries and public libraries serving art lovers. The Mexican-American community protested the decision, many risking loss of their jobs and even deportation, and filed and eventually won a lawsuit against the school board, marking the nation's first successful legal challenge to school segregation.