Hispanic Heritage Movies and Music

Movies | Music

Discover movie and music suggestions for Hispanic Heritage month.

Movies

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In this comedy series, Arturo Castro plays multiple characters based on his experiences as a Latino millennial in the United States. Written by Zack Bornstein, Jen Burton, Arturo Castro, [and others], directed by Nicholas Jasenovec.  DVD

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A story about one girl and her very long name opens a treasure box of discovery for children who may be curious about their own origin stories or names. Written by Juana Martinez-Neal and directed by Andy T. Jones.  DVD

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First-generation American Latina, returns home to reunite with her daughter. But when her mother, Renata, refuses to let her see her due to Covid, Ayar is confronted by the many roles she's been forced to play. Written by Vilma Vega, Ariana Ron Pedrique, Floyd Russ and directed by Floyd Russ. DVD

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Filmmaker Rebeca "Beba" Huntt shares a poetic self-portrait as an Afro-Latina artist hungry for knowledge and yearning for connection.   DVD | Kanopy.

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From artists to astronauts and writers to politicians, many great Latino-American history makers have changed the world. The program celebrates notable Hispanic-American Women whose influence has touched us in every walk of life.  DVD

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A look back at the mostly Hispanic, L.A. Punk scene revealing the realities of the 21st century, our need for community, the importance of self-expression and of course, the power of rock & roll. Written by Christine Triano and directed by Angela Boatwright.  Kanopy

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More than half a century since Castro's revolution, Cuba opens her arms to the West and the Yankee dollar. Born into communism, JC is a 'big fish in a small pond', a local music producer and promoter, farmer and small-time hustler who lives by his wits and imagination. Written by Paul Morris, Mo Fini and co-directed by Edesio Alejandro.   DVD | Kanopy

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This genre-defying film introduces the radical Chicano lawyer, author and counter-cultural icon, Oscar Zeta Acosta. Acosta was the basis for Dr. Gonzo in "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas," written by his friend, Hunter S. Thompson. Director Phillip Rodriguez.  Kanopy

Inspired by the spirit of the thousands of farmworkers who struggled for justice alongside labor leaders Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. Musicians Abel Sanchez and Jorge Santana's tribute song bookends the film, highlighting how music and the arts were essential in building the farmworkers' movement. Written and directed by Andres Alegria and Abel Sanchez.  DVD

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Ynés Mexía kept her interest in botany alive through continuing education including the Sierra Club before embarking on a career while in her 50s. She spent the remaining part of her life, in the field, lecturing and participating in scientific communities. Series directed by Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley.  Kanopy

Music

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Anthony, Marc

Puerto Rican-American musician Marc Anthony is a one of the top-selling tropical salsa artists in the world. Pa'lla Voy is his 13th studio album. Co-produced by Anthony and Sergio George, with whom he has worked for 30 years. The set is a collection of salsa and tropical music both vibrant and romantic. While the advance singles "Nada de Nada" and "Bad" charted, the title track single was an outlier: A revisioned cover of Senegalese band Africando's 1994 Afropop hit "Yay Boy." It entered the Tropical airplay chart at number four.

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Baez, Joan

Arguably the world's most famous female folk singer, known for her distinctive, sweeping soprano and her accomplished interpretive skills, Joan Baez was born in Staten Island, New York and is of Mexican and Scottish descent. Whistle Down the Wind is a deeply moving piece of work, which includes compositions by Tom Waits, Josh Ritter, Anohni, and Mary Chapin Carpenter. 

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Cabello, Camila

Camila Cabello is a Cuban-Mexican singer/songwriter. She first gained fame as a member of the group Fifth Harmony and has since found success as a solo artist. On Familia, Cabello celebrates her family's journey and how it helped bring her musical dreams to life. Familia contains pop tracks in both Spanish and English and features a handful of guest appearances, including Willow Smith on the '90s trip-hop-sounding "Psychofreak," Argentine singer Maria Becerra on "Hasta Los Dientes," and Ed Sheeran on the infectious "Bam Bam." 

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Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman is an indie rock band from Los Angeles known for their eclectic style, blending various genres such as soul, psychedelic rock, and cumbia. 2017’s Freedom is Free is a groove heavy album featuring Eduardo Arenas (bass guitar, guitar, vocals), Carlos Arévalo (guitar, keyboard, synthesizer), Bardo Martinez (lead vocals, keyboard, synthesizer, guitar), and Gabriel Villa (drums, percussion).

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Estefan, Gloria

With sales of more than 100 million albums, more than three-dozen number one singles, and numerous awards, Cuban-American singer/songwriter Gloria Estefan is responsible for bringing Latin rhythms to the mainstream. Brazil305 features re-envisioned and re-recorded versions of 14 catalog hits and four new tunes, played by an enormous international cast in studios from Brazil to Greece and on both North American coasts.

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Helado Negro

Helado Negro is the stage name of Roberto Carlos Lange, an Ecuadorian-American musician known for his experimental indie pop and electronic music. Following the success of his widely acclaimed album, This Is How You Smile, Far In relishes in serene, glowing arrangements and production.

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Hurray for the Riff Raff

 

Hurray for the Riff Raff is an indie band led by singer/songwriter Alynda Segarra, a Bronx-born, New Orleans-based, Puerto Rican-American musician. Their music explores themes of identity, activism, and social justice. Inspired by the writings of Adrienne Maree Brown and the music of the Clash and Bad Bunny Life on Earth contains, "music for a world in flux, songs about thriving, not just surviving, while disaster is happening."

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Los Lobos

Los Lobos is a Chicano rock band from Los Angeles that incorporates various musical styles such as rock, blues, Tex-Mex, folk, and traditional Mexican music. They achieved commercial success with their cover of "La Bamba," the title track of the 1987 biopic of the same name about Mexican-American rock pioneer, Richie Valens. Gates of Gold is their 17th studio album, which confirms the group’s legacy, while boldly pushing forward with new musical ideas.

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Santana

Legendary Mexican-American guitarist, Carlos Santana is known for his fusion of rock, Latin, and blues music, with hits like "Smooth" and "Black Magic Woman." Blessings and Miracles features a diverse array of guest stars including Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty),  Steve Winwood, Brooklyn pop/rock quartet American Authors, country singer Chris Stapleton, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, late jazz keyboardist Chick Corea, and singer Corey Glover of Living Colour.  

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Selena

One of the most important figures in the growth of Tejano and Latino music internationally, beloved singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez blended pop, Tejano, and Latin music styles. Often referred to as the "Queen of Tejano Music," Amor Prohibido was her breakout album which, along with  Dreaming of You, made her a superstar beyond the Latin music scene. Amor Prohibido features many of Selena's most beloved songs, such as "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom", "No Me Queda Mas", and "Techno Cumbia". 

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Silk Sonic

Singer/songwriter, producer, and successful solo artist Bruno Mars is one half of Silk Sonic. Mars was born Peter Gene Hernandez in Hawaii and is of Puerto Rican and Filipino descent. An Evening with Silk Sonic, showcases his soulful voice on an exemplary R&B album influenced by classic funk and Motown and Philly soul.

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Twin Shadow

Twin Shadow is the stage name of George Lewis Jr., a Dominican-American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. His music blends elements of indie rock, new wave, synth-pop, and dance. On his third album, Eclipse, he revisits and reinvents the anthemic sounds of the late '80s and early '90s into something earnest and fresh.

Summaries provided by DPL's catalog unless otherwise noted. Click on each title to view more information.