A Profile of Héctor Lavoe

"El Cantante" is a film based on the life of famed Puerto Rican salsa singer, Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez. Although the movie starring both Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony was critically panned the story of Lavoe is no less interesting or important to Latin culture.



Lavoe moved to New York when he was only 17 years old and immediately began to perform with numerous music groups throughout the city but it was in 1967 that Lavoe's career really began. Lavoe became the lead singer in Willie Colón's band and released several songs that were hits. The improving status of Lavoe's music career was on the rise but also on the rise was his addiction to drugs. Due to the addiction Colón released Lavoe from the band but continued to help him throughout his solo career.

Lavoe's career was strung with controversial hit songs. For instance, his hit song "el cantante" was recorded against the will of the song's writer but later acknowledged as being great by the very writer who protested it. Also controversial was "bandolera," a song that subjects the woman subject of the song to beatings twice and therefore was protested by feminists.

Despite musical success in the 70s, Lavoe battled deep depression in 1978 and went into isolation from friends and family on the advice of a priest. Upon his emergence, Lavoe was drug free and confident but due to the sudden deaths of his father, teenage son and mother-in-law his personal success was short lived. In combination with these deaths was Lavoe's diagnosis of HIV that pushed Lavoe to his limit.

After a cancelled performance in 1988 due to low ticket sales, Lavoe attempted suicide in June of 1988 in Puerto Rico. Lavoe did survive the suicide attempt but due to continuous drug use and shared needles he would never completely recover. Five years late, Lavoe died in June of 1993 without a penny to his name due to AIDS complications.

Lavoe is remembered as one of the great salsa artists and an inspiration to many artists today. Here is one of his great performances of "mi gente."

A New Latin American Icon

A new role model for Latino youth has emerged. America Ferrera is not new to the film industry but with the emergence of the t.v. show Ugly Betty last year, she is quickly becoming a new icon for the Latino youth.

Ferrera grew up in LA but described her youth as a departure from the typical Latino childhood. While many children attend quincineras, Ferrera was more familiar with the Bar Mitzvah.

Still considered a child, Ferrera started her career in television and film. First with the Disney movie Gotta Kick it Up and later with the critically acclaimed film Real Women Have Curves. It wasn't until 2006 that Ferrera got the role that would change her life- the lead on Ugly Betty.

To the left is an image of America Ferrera as herself. To the right is an image of America Ferrera as her famed character in Ugly Betty.

Ugly Betty is show that takes place in many nations around the world but originated in Colombia with their hit, "Betty La Fea." Ferrera recently won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the nerdy, bushy eyebrowed, unattractive, braces wearing teen, Betty Suarez. After winning the award, the House of Representatives awarded Ferrera for being a role model for young Latina women. Additionally, in the past week America Ferrera has been awarded as the Hispanic Woman of the Year by Billboard and The Hollywood Report.

America Ferrera is a positive role model for young girls of Latina descent and other cultures because she is a girl with a variety of talents and a positive outlook on life. She has not gotten into trouble has many other Hollywood actresses and she has almost completed her college education at USC. For a woman as young as America who has accomplished so much, it will be interesting to see what she can do in the future for the Latino community.

The Father of Latin American Cinema

Born in Santa Fe, Argentina in 1925 was Argentinian filmmaker Fernando Birri. Fernando is generally considered the father of Latin American cinema.

Birri was always involved with the theatre and puppetry but it was not until 1950 that his interests shifted to film. Birri went to Rome to study film until 1953 at Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia. After graduation from the film school Birri returned to Santa Fe and established the first Latin American film school specializing in documentaries.

When Birri returned to Argentina his focus was creating film that actively portrayed Argentine life but was met with resistance inside the industry. While at the school Birri created two of his most famous works: "Tire die" in 1954 and "Los innundados" in 1961. Both films were based on the social classes within Argentina and were overall ignored by the public.

Although the contributions to Latin American society were great, he was still forced into exile during the military coup de etat in Argentina. It was during this time that he moved back to Italy and began shooting experimental films.

Awhile later in 1986 Birri was one of the men who helped found the International School of Film and Television in Cuba and therefore chosen as one of the schools first principles. He ha taught in Mexico as well as Venezuela but currently resides in Europe.

Birri has not won many awards in his career, the only known award is the International Film Festival award in 1962 for best first film. However, his contribution and daring style for the times is remembered. Birri established film schools and styles which ha not yet been attempted by the Latin community.

Latino International Film Festival

October 7th-14th is a big week in Los Angeles. It is the week of the Latino International Film Festival. The festival is put on by LIFI (Latino International Film Institute), a non profit organization.

In their mission statement they say their purpose is "to showcase and nurture existing and emerging creative Latino talent while serving as a springboard and catalyst for the promotion of Latin films and filmmakers."

Films submitted to this festival come from countries around the world. One of the highlighted films this year, "El Camino de los Ingleses" is from Antonio Banderas in Spain. Another highlighted film is "Fuera Del Cielo." This film is presented by Javier Patrón and is a past winner in the Guadalajara International Film Festival from 2006.

The film festival shows a wide variety of film. They range from feature, documentaries, shorts and special screenings. Films shown throughout the festival portray Latino culture and are presented by Latino producers, actors, writers and fimmakers. If you are in the LA area this week, check out the schedule and see if you can attend!