JIFF: The Mamboniks

The Story

“Heartfelt, profound and joyous.” - San Francisco Jewish Film Festival

Bagels meet bongos in The Mamboniks, an energetic documentary that tells the little-known story of the Jewish love affair with Latin music. Set in New York, Havana, Miami Beach, and the Catskill Mountains, this uplifting film features a lovable, somewhat zany collection of dancers from the 1950s. Now retired yet still dancing, they share their passion for the mambo, the hot dance from Cuba that became a world-wide sensation. With an infectious soundtrack including Tito Puente, Celia Cruz and mambo king Pérez Prado, this film explores a mostly unexamined - and surprising - aspect of Jewish life and culture.

Language: English, Spanish (English subtitles)

Rating

E

Duration

Director

Lex Gillespie