7:15 pm | (1972) | 1h 42min | Documentary, Music | Q&A with director Leon Gast follows the screening
Documentarian Leon Gast captures the brightest lights of the 1970s New York City salsa scene as the Fania All-Stars perform for an enthusiastic audience at the Cheetah Lounge. “Our Latin Thing” features the musical talents of vastly influential salsa icons including percussionist Ray Barreto, trombonist Willie Colón, singer Cheo Feliciano, pianist Larry Harlow and Fania Records co-founder Johnny Pacheco — all interwoven with footage celebrating everyday Nuyorican street life.
Stars: Fania All-Stars, Ray Barretto, Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, José Feliciano
Leon Gast is an American documentary film director, producer, cinematographer, and editor. His documentary When We Were Kings depicts the iconic 1974 heavyweight boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. This film won the 1996 Academy Award for Documentary Feature and the Independent Spirit Award. Gast co-directed the 1977 documentary The Grateful Dead Movie, which captured the band’s October 1974, five-night performance at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Gast also co-directed the 1983 film Hell’s Angels Forever, about the notorious motorcycle club. Gast has also produced works on B.B. King and Celia Cruz. He lives in Woodstock, New York.