Rebellion
(Rebelión)
José Luis Rugeles Graciía | Drama
2022 | 105 minutes | Colombia, Argentina, United States
An intimate biopic of Colombian salsa legend Joe Arroyo, exploring the psychological depths behind his musical genius and personal struggles.
Synopsis
A powerful biographical drama, Rebellion explores the life, legacy, and inner turmoil of Álvaro José "Joe" Arroyo, one of the most influential figures in Latin American music. Set against the backdrop of Colombia’s shifting political and social landscape from the 1970s to the early 2000s, the film traces Arroyo’s meteoric rise from the marginalized barrios of Cartagena to the international stage, where his unique blend of salsa, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and African diasporic sounds would redefine the genre.
At the center of the story is Arroyo’s iconic protest anthem, “La Rebelión”—a landmark in Colombian music history that gave voice to the legacy of slavery and Black resistance in Latin America. In 2018, Billboard listed this iconic song among the “15 Best Salsa Songs Ever.” As the film delves into Joe’s musical genius, it also confronts his lifelong battles with fame, drug addiction, systemic racism, and personal loss.
Rebellion not only celebrates Joe Arroyo’s groundbreaking contributions to Latin music but also examines themes of cultural identity, postcolonial struggle, and artistic resistance. Through rich visual storytelling, rare archival material, and emotionally charged performances, the film offers a nuanced portrayal of a man whose music was a form of rebellion in itself.
Directed by José Luis Rugeles, Rebellion invites viewers to reflect on the power of music as both an artistic expression and a historical force. The film is ideal for audiences interested in Afro-Latin history, musicology, and cultural studies.
Reviews
"It's a gem of movie. One of the groundbreaking forces of the Caribbean music. Cinematic whirlwind." - Latido Films
"The visual power of Rebelión, which employs a dark color palette in contrast to the exuberance of salsa, is manifested in the composition of a series of tenebrist mental landscapes where reality, dream, and imagination blend together to reflect the ambivalent psychology of a talented and tyrannical, deeply complex musician." — El Cultural, El Español
"A captivating biopic that delves into the life of celebrated Colombian singer and songwriter Joe Arroyo, using fiction to uncover the captivating truth behind the man." – DMOVIES
Citation
Coming soon.
Cataloging
A MARC record for this title is not available yet.
Pragda subjects
Afro-Latin Studies
Biography
Culture + Identity
Dance + Performing Arts
Latin American Studies
Mental Health
Music
Sociology
South America
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Colombia’s Selection to the Academy Awards; Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival; Málaga Film Festival; Havana Film Festival New York; SXSW South by Southwest
DIRECTOR: José Luis Rugeles Graciía
NATIONALITY: Colombia, Argentina, United States
YEAR: 2022
GENRE: Drama
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Adult, College
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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