La Danza de Los Mirlos - aluCine 2023 - Opening Night Gala

* ALL FILMS WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES ***

Moyobamba, capital of the San Martin region in northern Peru. In the heat of the jungle, a group of young people gather at the Rodríguez Grández home for an event that will change the history of Latin American music: the birth of Los Mirlos and Amazonian cumbia. Based on extensive audiovisual archival material – ranging from the first shows at local parties in the 1960s to the recent successful tours in Europe – “La Danza de Los Mirlos” tells the story of one of the pioneering bands of the genre, but also traces the genealogy of tropical and popular music of an entire continent. Without ignoring the usual disputes between members, the eccentric adventures and the idolatry of an entire people, Alvaro Luque’s documentary becomes as inexhaustible as the melody of the international cumbia anthem that gives it its name.

Alvaro Luque

2022 – Peru – 84’ – Documentary

Toronto Premier

Best Documentary Film – Trujillo Film Festival 2022
Special Mention – Tucuman Film Festival 2023
About the director: Álvaro Luque studied in Argentina at the Fundación Universidad del Cine (FUC). In Peru, he developed his career as a director. He created the production company Saturno together with his brother Alonso. His first short film, “LUX” (2014), received the Special Jury Prize at Curta Cinema in Rio de Janeiro and was selected in several international festivals. His first feature documentary “La Danza de Los Mirlos” (2022), tells the story of the mythical Amazonian cumbia band.