El Benny

Movie Synopsis

English

Fresh from Mexico, where he solidified his career in the late 1940s, Benny Moré was the artist who, through music and dance, drove crowds wild. A wealthy politician hired him to perform at a dance with an electoral undertone. The bitterness of betrayal caused him to fail in his attempt to assemble the long-awaited jazz band, and he broke the contract. Frustrated and under the influence of alcohol and sex, his life spiraled out of control. With considerable effort, he reassembled his band and achieved success. An old vendetta embroiled him in a police conflict in Venezuela, from which he emerged acquitted. Famous and wealthy, he rebuilt the old family mansion, ignoring his grandfather’s warning that anyone who tried to prevent its collapse would meet their end. The excesses of his past led to a severe liver crisis that brought him to the brink of death, and his doctor permanently forbade him from drinking alcohol. Against all odds, he recovered and reappeared in Cuba’s leading cabarets and dance halls. One night, in the middle of a dance, confident because of his apparent good health, he violates the prohibition and his life ends as he had dreamed: He falls on the stage, in front of his audience, who go from delirium to dismay.

Español

Recién llegado de México donde consolidó su carrera a finales de los años cuarenta, Benny Moré es el artista que a través de la música y del baile hace delirar a las multitudes. Un político adinerado lo contrata para que ofrezca un bailable de matiz electoral. El desgaste de la traición le hace fracasar en su empeño de armar la añorada jazz band e incumple el contrato. Frustrado y bajo los excesos de alcohol y sexo, su vida se caotiza. Con no poco esfuerzo vuelve armar su banda y triunfa. Una venganza de viejos tiempos lo envuelven en un conflicto policial en Venezuela del que sale absuelto. Famoso y con dinero, reconstruye el viejo caserón familiar, obviando la advertencia de su abuelo de que encontrará la muerte quien impida que el caserón no se derrumbe solo. Los desenfrenos de otros tiempos derivan en una severa crisis hepática que lo pone al borde de la muerte, prohibiéndole el médico definitivamente el alcohol. Contra todo pronóstico se recupera y reaparece en los principales cabaret y salones de Cuba. Una noche, en medio de un bailable, confiado por la aparente buena salud, viola la prohibición y se le acaba la vida como lo había soñado: Cae sobre el escenario, delante de su público, que pasa del delirio a la consternación.

Movie Details

Country: Cuba

Director: Jorge Luis Sánchez

Language: Spanish

Duration: 132 minutes

Genre: Fiction

Watch the trailer

This movie is brought to you by the

Embassy of Cuba to New Zealand