1 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Released 20 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
El Cantante
"Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe"
2006 1h 56m EN
👍
7.2
SOLID
★7.2TMDB · 132
HistoryDramaMusic
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
The rise and fall of salsa singer, Héctor Lavoe (1946-1993), as told from the perspective of his wife Puchi, who looks back from 2002.
“Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe”
Cast
Marc Anthony
Hector Lavoe
Jennifer Lopez
Puchi
John Ortiz
Willie Colon
Manny Perez
Eddie
Vincent Laresca
Ralph
Federico Castelluccio
Jerry Masucci
Nelson Vasquez
Johnny Pacheco
Antone Pagán
Papo
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Leon Ichaso
- Writers
- David Darmstaeder, Leon Ichaso, Todd Bello
- Languages
- English, Spanish, French
- Countries
- United States of America
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Spanish, French.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Leon Ichaso, shot by Claudio Chea. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Original score by Willie Colón. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor David Tedeschi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez and John Ortiz carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
FACT
Did you know
Marketing tagline: "Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe".
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
WILD
Did you know
IMDB entry: tt0458522 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Leon Ichaso directs. Claudio Chea behind the camera. Willie Colón scores. David Tedeschi cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English, Spanish, French.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Released 20 years ago.
- 2Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Spanish, French.
- 3Directed by Leon Ichaso, shot by Claudio Chea. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 4Original score by Willie Colón. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
- 5Editor David Tedeschi shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 6Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez and John Ortiz carry the top of the cast.
- 7Marketing tagline: "Based on the true story of the King of Salsa, Hector Lavoe".
- 8IMDB entry: tt0458522 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Claudio Chea
- Original score
- Willie Colón
- Editing
- David Tedeschi
- Production design
- Sharon Lomofsky
- Costume design
- Sandra Hernandez
- Runtime
- 116 min · 1h 56m
- Status
- Released
- Original language
- EN
Also by
Leon Ichaso
Production companies
Who made it
- R-
R-Caro Productions
Nuyorican Productions
US
Key crew
- ProducerMargo Myers
- Set DecorationJennifer Greenberg
- ProducerSimon Fields
- CastingEllyn Long Marshall
- Costume DesignSandra Hernandez
- ProducerJulio Caro
- ProducerDave Maldonado
- CastingMaria E. Nelson
- ProducerJennifer Lopez
- EditorDavid Tedeschi
- Production DesignSharon Lomofsky
- Art DirectionNicholas Lundy
- Casting DirectorZoraida Sanjurjo López
- Set MedicJosé R. Varona
- Production SupervisorInes Mongil-Echandi
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- dancing
- 1970s
- blunt
- salsa
- dramatic
- celebratory
Release history · US
When it landed
- Theatrical2007-08-03
Also known as
International titles
- Beautiful Woman and SalsaDE
- The SingerUS
- MüğənniAZ
