There is an upcoming documentary that will be shown on both HBO and HBO Latino. It will be narrated by John Leguizamo and will provide a unique perspective on the influence of Latin music in the United States throughout history.
A fresh and exciting documentary titled “The Latin Explosion: A New America” is scheduled to debut on Nov. 16. The film will showcase interviews and clips of renowned Latino artists such as Carlos Santana, Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, and Ricky Martin.
Matthew O’Neill and Jon Alpert directed and produced a documentary that earned an Oscar nomination in 2010 for “China’s Unnatural Disaster” which covered the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The documentary was executive produced by Tommy Mottola, who was a key figure in the success of the Latin explosion in the late 90s while he was at Sony. Under his leadership, artists such as Marc Anthony, Martin, Shakira, and Jennifer Lopez, who were all signed to Sony labels at that time, achieved significant crossover success.
The Latin Explosion documentary aims to showcase the journey and influence of Latin musicians and artists in the United States since the 1950s. The film features interviews with prominent figures such as Anthony, Martin, Feliciano, Longoria, Lopez, Los Lobos, Marin, Moreno, Santos, Thalía, and Vergara, providing a comprehensive insight into their cultural significance.
The documentary reminds me of the PBS series Latin Music USA, which had four parts and was narrated by Jimmy Smits in 2009. The series covered various topics such as the Salsa Revolution, the Chicano Movement, and current divas and superstars. It also explored the origins of Latin music and culture in America, dating back to the 1940s and 1950s.
