New York has gone through many changes throughout its existence including the advancement of the business district of Manhattan, expanding it into Harlem. These changes in most cases force the people who live their out of the only place they know. This story is about that affect on a family’s due to the modifications to their beloved community.
Ramon (David Zayas), of Puerto Rican decent, grew up in Spanish Harlem listening to the music, understanding the culture, playing the bongos, and believing in his people. He raised his two sons to love music, believe in their culture, and to love to dance. In his neighborhood, Ramon has a dance studio where he teaches many children from their community.
Throughout the years Ramon’s two boys, Junior (Gilbert Saldivar) and Ralphi (Jorge Burgos), have become great dancers and have made him proud. Along with their close friends, Josie (Kimberli Flores) and Griselle (Jadi Collado) they have all continued to support the same things as their fathers.
When tragedy strikes, the boys take different paths that may affect how the community will survive. When big business comes to Spanish Harlem, these two must find a way to save their people from losing everything they now.
Director and writer Anthony Nardolillo has recreated an important part of New York’s vast mixture of cultures. The Spanish values are huge in this city and they help make up the melting pot of different heritages. He does an excellent job presenting these ethnic traditions and also displays the importance they are to its people. Anthony also puts together a spectacular storyline that will keep your interest throughout. He does tend to slow things down from time to time, but somehow manages to make things interesting.
This very eventful film gives you another perspective to culture changing experiences that can affect the world these people live in. Music is everything to most cultures and losing this voice can be devastating. This well presented and entertaining story is fun to watch and might be worth going to see in person.
Final Comment: I based my grade on the wonderful storyline, excellent music, and interesting look into the changes that can affect a culture. (3 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Alysia Reiner, Musetta Vander, David Zayas, Gilbert Saldivar, Kimberli Flores, Jadi Collado, and Jorge Burgos.
Directed and written by: Anthony Nardolillo
Genre: Drama, Music
MPAA Rating: Rated R for language.
Running Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes
Release Date: October 5, 2018
Distributed By: GVN Releasing
Released In: Standard
