RUBEN BLADES IS NOT MY NAME

by Abner Benaim

SYNOPSIS

Latin American icon Ruben Blades was at the center of the New York Salsa revolution in the 1970’s. His socially charged lyrics and explosive rhythms brought Salsa music to an international audience. Blades has won 17 Grammys, acted in Hollywood, earned a law degree from Harvard and even run for President of his native Panama. He lives in NY, where he granted us exclusive access to his life at home and on tour. Critically acclaimed director Abner Benaim takes us on a journey through Ruben’s 50 year career, revealing that Ruben might still have both musical and political ambitions. This is a film about a living legend and his struggle to come to terms with his legacy.

DETAILS

84 mins

2018

Panama, Argentina, Colombia

Spanish

CREDITS

Director: Abner Benaim

Production: Abner Benaim, Gema Juárez, Allen Cristina Gallego

Production Companies: Apertura Films, Gema Films, Ciudad Lunar

Executive Producers: Gema Juárez Allen, Abner Benaim

Cinematography: Gastón Girod, Mauro Colombo

Sound Recording: Richard Córdoba, Carlos "Beto" Urriola

Editing: Felipe Guerrero

Sound Design: Lena Esquenazi

Sound Mix: Carlos E. García

Supported by TVN, Caracol TV, COPA Airlines, IBERMEDIA, INCAA, DICINE

BIOGRAPHY

DIRECTOR - ABNER BENAIM

Benaim studied International Relations and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and later film directing at Camera Obscura, Tel Aviv. In 2004, he founded Apertura Films, an independent production company, in his native Panama, where he is considered a pioneer filmmaker.

His first feature, “Chance” (2010), a dark comedy, was the first film to be theatrically released in Panama in 60 years, and was seen by over 500,000 spectators. “Invasion” (feature documentary, premiered at IDFA 2014) was Panama's first submission to the Academy Awards and had an audience of 50,000 people in local theaters.

Benaim’s films have been selected at prestigious film festivals such as SXSW, IDFA, HOT DOCS and True False, and have won multiple awards as well as critical acclaim. Benaim’s work deals with social issues and touching personal stories told in an unceremonious, sometimes humorous and irreverent tone.

SELECT FESTIVALS

SXSW 2018 - AUDIENCE AWARD〡GUADALAJARA 2018〡AMBULANTE 2018〡IFF PANAMA 2018〡BAFICI 2018〡DOCSBARCELONA 2018〡SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2018

PRESS

"An intimate look at... living legend Rubén Blades, who spearheaded the New York Salsa revolution in the 1970s, advancing Latinx identity, unity and empowerment on the international stage."
- AFI Blog