Synopsis

Bachata is a musical genre from the Dominican Republic that evolved from bolero and is characterized by its distinctive lead guitar and the sensual dance it inspires. Although it was frowned upon and repressed within its own country of origin, bachata is now enjoying increased popularity worldwide. One of its practitioners is 37-year-old Joan Soriano, who is on the edge of international success. The bachatas and merengues Soriano plays draw upon a variety of musical influences from Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. He is also a practitioner of Afro-Dominican traditional salve and palo, and he blends these percussive styles with guitar-based bachata to create a fresh sound. The Duke of Bachata is alive with Dominican music and culture, and is an intimate portrait of one man’s hopes, fears and dreams, and how much his success means to his family and community.

Details

(53mins) | United States of America, Dominican Republic

Language:

Spanish with subtitles

Production

Directors:

Adam Taub

Adam Taub is a documentary filmmaker from Colorado, USA, who became interested in bachata during a year-abroad college programme in the Dominican Republic. Taub's previous work includes the award winning La Quinceañera, which follows a girl and her family as they prepare for and celebrate her Quince Años (15th birthday) in Tijuana, Mexico. He is at work on his second bachata-related film, Legends, and another that explores his family's Halloween mask- and costume-making business.