B Is For Bachata is Ricky Rosario’s fourth short film. The writer-director-editor-producer dives into his Dominican heritage to explore how culture transcends borders and can help shape people. But is the plot too granular for folks of any background to relate to?
Yonathan (Andresito Germosen De La Cruz) is celebrating his high school graduation with his family. While observing many of the attendees dancing, Yonathan and his cousins, Manny (Cesar Pichardo) and Beatris (Franceli Chapman), discuss Bachata, a style of music and dance specific to the Dominican Republic. The fresh-faced graduate admits to knowing virtually nothing about it and is then chastised by his cousins. Manny and Beatris then go on to explain the history of Bachata to their young family member.
“Manny and Beatris then go on to explain the history of Bachata…”
B Is For Bachata is a charming way to spend 13-minutes. The actors all nail their parts. The look on Cruz’s face when he begins to realize the deep lore behind Bachata speaks volumes. Pichardo and Chapman are very funny and bring energy and enthusiasm to Bachata’s history.
The editing, though, is where the film thrives. Rosario weaves in and out of the graduation party and the frenzied history of Bachata being told. While some scenes can go by in a flash, the story is never hard to follow or becomes confusing. The filmmaker shows a remarkable mastery of visual storytelling, as much is shown and only a little told.
B Is For Bachata is a delightful little film. The cast is solid, and the editing is impeccable. Now, who wants to dance?
"…delightful..."
