[KEYWORD] Bachata is a popular genre of music and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic and has spread to many parts of the world. It is characterized by a romantic and sensual style, with four basic steps and a distinctive guitar sound. Bachata has been featured in several movies and TV shows, showcasing its cultural and artistic value. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most memorable examples of bachata in media and how they have contributed to its recognition and appreciation.
In the Heights (2021)
In the Heights is a musical film based on the Broadway show of the same name, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes. It tells the stories of various characters living in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, a predominantly Latino community. One of the main characters, Nina Rosario, is a Stanford student who returns to her hometown and reconnects with her childhood friend Benny, who works as a dispatcher for a taxi company. In one of the most romantic scenes of the film, Nina and Benny dance bachata on the rooftop of his workplace, expressing their feelings for each other. The song they dance to is "When You're Home", composed by Miranda and performed by Leslie Grace and Corey Hawkins, who play Nina and Benny respectively. The scene is a beautiful tribute to bachata and its role in Latino culture and identity.
Dance with Me (1998)
Dance with Me is a romantic drama film starring Vanessa Williams and Chayanne, a Puerto Rican singer and actor. Williams plays Ruby Sinclair, a professional ballroom dancer who travels to Houston to teach at a dance studio owned by her former partner. There she meets Rafael Infante, a Cuban immigrant who works as a handyman at the studio and has a natural talent for dancing. Ruby agrees to train Rafael for a dance competition, and they develop a mutual attraction. In one of the most iconic scenes of the film, Ruby and Rafael perform a stunning bachata routine at a nightclub, impressing everyone with their chemistry and skill. The song they dance to is "Refugio de Amor (You're My Home)", composed by Desmond Child and performed by Williams and Chayanne. The scene is a testament to bachata's versatility and appeal as a dance form.
Jane the Virgin (2014-2019)
Jane the Virgin is a comedy-drama TV series that follows the life of Jane Villanueva, a young woman who becomes pregnant after being accidentally artificially inseminated. The show is inspired by a Venezuelan telenovela and features many elements of magical realism, satire, and romance. One of the recurring characters is Rogelio de la Vega, Jane's biological father who is a famous telenovela star. Rogelio is portrayed by Jaime Camil, a Mexican actor and singer who also performs several songs on the show's soundtrack. One of them is "Bachata en Kingston", a catchy bachata tune that Rogelio sings in one of his telenovelas. The song was composed by Jared Faber and Andy Zulla and features Camil's vocals. The song is a fun example of bachata's influence and popularity in media.
