While not many people, myself included, will connect with the musical genre at the center of the short film B is for Bachata, Ricky Rosario‘s approach is universal and compelling. In the film, Yonathan is the laughingstock among his cousins. The rest of the family indulge in a perpetual dancing session that varies between rhythms, but it’s all in the tune of bachata, a genre that comes from the Dominican Republic. Yonathan is embarrassed because he has never been able to do it. Is it the lack of a partner? Is it because no one taught him? Or is it because Yonathan is estranged from his culture?
Fortunately, Rosario’s film doesn’t do much to explain the reasons why Yonathan doesn’t behave or feel the same as his cousins. Instead, the writer/director goes for the exploration of his ancestors’ culture, and the tradition he doesn’t hold as close. Yonathan is not a stranger to music, and he’s shown his love for a certain rock star. But bachata? That’s never been the priority.
In under 14 minutes, B is for Bachata opens a window towards something universal. The scrutiny Yonathan goes through is the basis of a premise that talks about how we observe tradition and often forget that culture is the root of what makes everyone unique in the world. Rosario’s film does a great job of showing the audience that this isn’t just Yonathan’s connection with his past and ancestry. It’s about sparking the interest to make everyone look back and observe what makes us click from a primal perspective.
However, the film does take its liberties and navigates through the cultural background that makes bachata such a huge deal for Yonathan’s family, but also for Dominicans. The musical sequences are great, but not long enough to allow you to recognize the genre is all its width. What’s inevitable is that you will be more open to listening to bachata once the film is over.
It’s not that Latino people are born with the natural ability to dance. But we have a cultural backdrop where we are submitted very early on to music and dance. We all were Yonathan at one point, the shy person who didn’t know how to dance. Luckily, he found enough inspiration in his past to loosen up his hips and give it a try. Next time you feel like you won’t do a good job, either with bachata or anything else, look back on your past. There may be a secret that’ll motivate you.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
