Celia: The Queen
The Documentary Film

Celia: The Queen, is a documentary about the  stellar performer’s life and legacy, who brought the salsa rhythm to the whole world. She erupted onto the Cuban music scene as a front women of “La Sonora Matancera,” and soon became Cuba’s most adored. Her trademark cry “Azucar” became known across Latin America. When she fled Cuba in 1960 and eventually arrived in the United States, she started a second even more successful career fueled by partnerships with salsa greats like Johnny Pacheco, Tito Puente, and Willie Colon. Ironically, while she became known as the voice of Cuba around the world, her once beloved music was banned from her own country. Up until the time Celia died in 2003, she was still performing extensively around the world.

Directors Joe Cardona and Mario De Varona use original photography they captured while following Celia the last five years of her life as well as archival footage of both Celia and her loving husband Pedro Knight, to tell the inspiring story of a little girl from Havana who became an international diva.

Celia: The Queen, shows the diversity of people whose lives she touched, from the big stars of music, literature, and film like Andy Garcia, Gloria Estefan, Quincy Jones, and Wyclef Jean to fans all over the world. Foremost, this is the presentation of Celia as the warm, strong, free spirit who adored her fans and earned without question her title: “The Queen.”
“When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy. My message is always, felicidad, happiness!” Celia Cruz, New York Times

DIRECTORS: Joe Cardona, Mario De Varona.

PRODUCERS: Michelle Zubizarreta, Gabriel Mena, Omer Pardillo-Cid, Joaquin Perles.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Antonio Gijon.