Synopsis: From acclaimed Academy Award winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque"), comes a journey of the senses that crosses four continents in search of the heart and soul of Latino culture. Using the worldwide phenomenon of Latino music as its entrée, Trueba seeks out the heroes of this... From acclaimed Academy Award winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque"), comes a journey of the senses that crosses four continents in search of the heart and soul of Latino culture. Using the worldwide phenomenon of Latino music as its entrée, Trueba seeks out the heroes of this culture and reveals how their music has become a vehicle for protest, storytelling, sexuality, and most of all, the sheer joyful celebration of life.

Turning his film into an innovative tapestry of sound and imagery, Trueba mixes "snapshots" of Latino music's legendary masters (captured in digital video) with intimate in-studio live performances photographed by a battery of five 35 mm cameras and a Steadicam in a style that matches the mood and story of each song.

Among the cultural heroes whose stories and artistry he brings to the fore are: the godfather of Latino music, Tito Puente; cutting edge nuyorican Jerry Gonzáles who mixes his Puerto Rican roots with his New York street experience; Spaniard Chano Domínguez who married the clicking-heel spirit of Flamenco with jazz; barefoot Brazilian pianist Eliane Elías; Chico O'Farrill, a major architect of the Afro-Cuban movement; Cachao, the elder statesman of the acoustic bass brought out of near-obscurity by Andy Garcia; the pianists Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho Valdés, reunited for a live duet; the Argentinean tenor sax Gato Barbieri, Grammy winner for the "Last Tango in Paris" soundtrack; Paquito D'Rivera, heir to Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra and according to Dizzy one of the musicians who plays true Latin Jazz, interpreting the music of all the Americas; Michel Camilo the freewheeling Latin jazz master of the Dominican Republic; rumba authority and Santeria priest Orlando "Puntilla" Ríos; and more.

CALLE 54 will feature performances of new material never before recorded. But the film isn't only about the music, it's about the beats of the heart behind the music and what it inspires in people around the world. -- © 2001 Miramax [More]