Writer/director Ricky Rosario brings the spirit of Latin music to life in his short indie film, B is for Bachata. Running just 13 minutes long, B is for Bachata is a colorful homage to the significance of the Bachata style of dance. In addition to acknowledging its rich cultural importance, the film portrays how this genre is being reinterpreted in modern times.

Regaining a Sense of Tradition

Yonathan (Andresito Germosen De La Cruz) is celebrating his college graduation with a backyard family BBQ. He is a proud Dominican-American but fails to take an interest in Bachata, which many of his party guests engage in. His cousins, Manny (Cesar Pichardo) and Beatris (Franceli Chapman) do their part to explain the rich history between Bachata and the Dominican Republic. They point to the people dancing all around them, gliding gracefully in four-step unison. This leads Yonathan down a road of discovery. He not only starts to learn more about dance but also about his own ancestry.

Watch the B is for Bachata trailer here.

B is for Bachata has a commercial glossy quality to the film that radiates with energy. Its vibrancy reflects the heart and soul of the music, which is a pleasure to listen to throughout the runtime. Filmmaker Ricky Rosario does an excellent job incorporating Spanglish into the script, giving the film a strong authentic edge. Visually, close-ups of mouthwatering plates of food, coupled with feet moving to the rhythm, succeed in setting the perfect party mood. There’s no doubt this film will leave audiences with an extra pep in their step as the credits roll.

Takeaway

Merengue and salsa may be more popular in America, but B is for Bachata makes a compelling case for championing this lively dance style. Both fun and sentimental, B is for Bachata premiered at the 2024 New York Latino Film Festival.