VIFF Review: Celia the Queen

Celia the Queen
Granville 7 Theatre 1
Friday, October 3 2008 7:15pm

Celia Cruz was one of the greatest singers of Salsa music. As one of the many talented musicians who left Cuba after the Revolution, she faced an uncertain future in exile. She went on to have a great life in the United States, and helped spread Cuban music around the world.

She was bigger than life on and off stage. Vivacious, with a broad smile, and vibrant deep voice, she was the personification of the great Cuban singing star. A larger than life star needs larger than life accessories, so her flamboyant costumes, shoes, and wigs became her trademark.

She led a very public life, and was surprisingly accessible. There is extensive footage of her in concert, behind the scenes, and in media interviews. But somehow she managed to keep enough private to remain happily married to musician Pedro Knight for almost four decades.

Cruz recorded extensively and collaborated with many Latin musicians. She and Knight toured the world with several salsa groups, most notably the Fania All-Stars.

The film interviews an eclectic mix of fans. Inspired by Cruz's electric persona and outlandish costumes, a Cuban émigré becomes a female impersonator of her. A Cuban-American artist paints a whole series of her image in Warhol-like abstract form. "Two Cuban-American boys in London" who just phoned her up while she was in London, starting a friendship that would later result in a coffee table book about her.

Cruz was greatly admired by musicians inside and outside the Cuban music scene. Among her professional devotees interviewed are Talking Heads front man David Byrne, hip hop star Wyclef Jean, Latin singer Gloria Estefan, and producer and composer Quincy Jones.

The salsa influence even reaches the Far East. A segment in Tokyo, Japan visits a Latin dance studio, a Latin record store, and a Latin music night club. The Japanese salsa fans are as devoted to Cruz as her American fans.

She performed and recorded up until the end at age 78 when she passed away in 2003. Her's was virtually a state funeral. The streets of New York City were lined with thousands of fans cheering her as the procession made its way to St. Patrick's Cathedral.

This film is a loving tribute to the Queen of Salsa. ¡Azúcar!