ABOUT THE FILM

LOGLINE

Over the course of five years, MÚSICA! follows four young Cubans who view music as a way of life. Through music, they hope to find success and fulfillment, some choosing to remain in Cuba, and some seeking to venture out into the world beyond.

LONG SYNOPSIS

The latest from Oscar/Emmy/Grammy/Peabody Award-winning documentarians documentarians Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (The Celluloid Closet, Common Threads, The Life and Times of Harvey Milk) paints a joyful portrait of an exceptional partnership. Founded 120 years ago, the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music trains the crème de la crème among aspiring young Cuban musicians—enrollment is so competitive, the school accepts only about one in a hundred applicants.

Yet even this prestigious institution in a musically rich culture suffers from its nation’s political isolation. Enter Horns to Havana, a volunteer organization of U.S. artisans that makes regular pilgrimages to deliver strings and other basic supplies and teach instrument-repair workshops. The film goes beyond the depiction of this alliance to provide an intimate portrait of some remarkable formative talents, many seen soaking up living jazz history during a rare “field trip” to New Orleans. Shot over several years, MÚSICA! allows us to witness these performers coming of age and embarking on professional careers that may well prove stellar.

Directors Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Producers Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Machu Latorre

Co-Producers Mari Rivera, Kenji C Green

Editor Susan Fanshel

Directors of Photography Roberto Chile, Buddy Squires

Sound Recordists Jorge Luis Chijona, David Hocs, Sergio Munoz, Mark Roy

Music Isaiah Gage

FESTIVALS
2023: Telluride (World Premiere)

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download