“Patria y Vida : The Power of Music” is coming to theaters near you on the 11th. Credit to 11:11 PR.
Los Angeles, California (July 7, 2025)- What began as a protest song has now become a landmark cinematic event. “Patria y Vida: The Power of Music,” the award-winning documentary directed by Beatriz Luengo and starring Yotuel, officially hits theaters across the United States starting July 11, delivering an urgent message of courage, hope, and artistic resistance.
Distributed by Spanglish Movies, this powerful film arrives at a time when the world needs stories that stir action and remind us of the power of voices raised in unity. More than just a documentary, “Patria y Vida” is a visceral testament to the role of music in awakening a people and shaking the foundation of oppression.
The film traces the journey of the now-iconic song “Patria y Vida” (“Homeland and Life”), which erupted as a counter-anthem to the Cuban regime’s long-standing slogan “Patria o Muerte” (“Homeland or Death”). Created by artists in exile and dissidence, including Yotuel, Gente de Zona, Maykel Osorbo, and others, the song quickly ignited a firestorm of resistance—gathering 450 million views on TikTok, over 110 million social media interactions, and international honors, including 2 Latin GRAMMYs for Song of the Year and Best Urban Song.
The impact reached far beyond the music charts. “Patria y Vida” was honored at the U.S. Library of Congress, recognized by President Joe Biden, and even named one of President Barack Obama’s favorite songs of 2021. It became a symbol of defiance in Cuba and a rallying cry for freedom around the world.
In “The Power of Music,” Luengo, who also serves as narrator and co-writer, captures the passion, fear, and transformation experienced by the artists and citizens behind the movement. The film features appearances by Latin icons such as Emilio and Gloria Estefan, Camila Cabello, Leila Cobo, and others who have used their platforms to amplify the voices of the Cuban people.
The documentary also sheds light on the personal cost of speaking out. One of the song’s co-creators, Maykel Osorbo, remains imprisoned in a maximum-security facility in Cuba. Yotuel, now in exile, has become a symbol of cultural resistance and resilience. Through their stories, “Patria y Vida” transcends entertainment—it becomes a living document of a nation’s yearning for change.
“I decided to film everything we were living through—partly to protect ourselves,” Luengo shared. “To write a song inspired by love and social justice, and end up threatened by a government, was surreal. ‘Patria y Vida’ changed our lives—between dreams and nightmares.”
The film will premiere in Miami at CMX and Silverspot Cinemas, and screen nationwide beginning July 11. Tickets are now available via Fandango, and more details can be found at somospatriayvida.com.
With this release, cinema becomes the next battleground for truth. “Patria y Vida: The Power of Music” isn’t just a documentary—it’s a movement in motion, a film that dares to inspire and awaken.
Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the story of a song that dared to change history—and the film that will carry its message to the world.
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