Watch Yo No Me Llamo Ruben Blades

Yo No Me Llamo Ruben Blades is a documentary film that was directed by Abner Benaim. The film follows the journey of two-time Grammy Award-winning musician Ruben Blades, who is a Panamanian salsa superstar. The documentary provides an intimate look at the life of Blades, showcasing his personal life, his incredible music career, and his impact on the Latin American community.

The film opens with Ruben Blades on a stage, performing his iconic song "Pedro Navaja" to an audience in Havana, Cuba. Through interviews with his family, former bandmates, famous friends such as Paul Simon and Sting, as well as archival footage, the documentary delves into the life of this legendary artist.

The central theme of the documentary revolves around Blades coming to terms with who he is and the legacy he has left behind. He speaks about his desire to move away from the music scene while at the same time reflecting on what he has accomplished in his career. This introspective piece demonstrates Blades confronting his past and finding closure and peace in his present and future.

The film highlights the influence Blades had on the Latin American community through his music, which addressed significant social and political issues such as poverty, racism, and social inequality. Through insightful conversations with experts on Latin American music, the documentary frames Blades' music as a form of political resistance. His most famous songs, such as "Pedro Navaja," and "Plastico," reflect the social issues faced by the people of Latin America, such as crime, police brutality, and political corruption.

Throughout the film, viewers get an intimate look at Blades' life from his beginnings in Panama all the way to his international success as a musician and actor. His evolution as an artist is truly remarkable, and the documentary portrays accurately how his music has developed and how it stayed relevant throughout the decades. It covers his decision to leave his lucrative law career to pursue music in New York and how he struggled to find his voice as a performer, to being discovered by Fania Records, and the rise to fame that followed.

The documentary successfully showcases the many facets of Ruben Blades's personality. The film’s most compelling segments are those where he opens up about his internal struggles, the important relationships of his life, and how he has navigated himself through several facets of success. These segments give more insight into the man behind the music and his personal life.

The use of archival footage serves to add to the richness of the documentary, showing the public persona that Blades rose to fame within the early years of his career. The film uses vintage footage of Blades, along with his contemporaries, to show how his music shaped Latin urban culture. It is a must-watch for anyone who is a fan of Blades, Latin American music and culture, or who wants to learn more about the political climate of alternative music in the 20th century.

In conclusion, Yo No Me Llamo Ruben Blades is a documentary made with a lot of love and respect for one of the greatest musicians and activists in Latin American history. The film provides an accurate portrayal of the singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and politician, as well as the impact he has had on Latin American music, politics, and culture. For a fan of Blades, the film is a treat, providing an intimate look at his life, struggles, and successes, thus creating a fitting tribute to his lasting impact on society.