FOR LOVE OR COUNTRY: THE ARTURO SANDOVAL STORY (TV)
Summary
This docudrama tells the true story of legendary Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The film begins in Athens, Greece, in 1990 as good friend Dizzy Gillespie sneaks would-be defector Sandoval into the United States Embassy to seek asylum. Telling his life story in flashbacks, the story begins in 1973 with Sandoval trying to start his own jazz band to escape the government-controlled orchestra. Next, he meets his future wife Marianela under unique circumstances, delaying his already planned defection; they begin a whirlwind romance. Sandoval continues to dream of living in a country free from government regulations to play his "own" music -- American-style jazz. Eventually, through a ruse, Sandoval meets Gillespie, and they immediately become friends. Gillespie urges him to escape Cuba and join his band, but Sandoval realizes that his family ties and young children make that impossible. When, during the Irakere World Tour in 1980, Sandoval's best friend and fellow musician Paquito D'Rivera defects, Arturo begins to reconsider his options. As reports surface throughout the Cuban government that Sandoval is unhappy and trying to flee, Arturo and Marianela make a bold decision.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by The Marc Haas Foundation, 2002/2003.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: November 18, 2000 Saturday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:00:01
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:65312
- GENRE: Docudrama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Docudrama; Cuba; Jazz; Music
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 2000
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jellybean Benitez … Executive Producer
- Andy Garcia … Executive Producer
- Celia D. Costas … Producer
- Carl C. Valldejuli … Co-Producer
- Joseph Sargent … Director
- Timothy J. Sexton … Writer
- Arturo Sandoval … Music by
- Andy Garcia … Cast, Arturo Sandoval
- Mia Maestro … Cast, Marianela
- Gloria Estefan … Cast, Emilia
- David Paymer … Cast, Embassy Interviewer
- Charles S. Dutton … Cast, Dizzy Gillespie
- Tomas Milian … Cast, Sosa
- Freddy Rodriguez … Cast, Leonel
- Andy Mendez … Cast, Young Leonel
- Felix David Manrique … Cast, Turi
- Jose Zuniga … Cast, Paquito D'Rivera
- Fernanda Andrade … Cast, Paloma
- William Marquez … Cast, Arturo Sr.
- Steven Bauer … Cast, Angel
- Michael O'Hagan … Cast, Johnny Lewis
- Miguel Sandoval … Cast, Osvaldo
- Britt George … Cast, Marine
- Nil Lara … Cast, Band member
- Al Quinn … Cast, Cuban Restaurant Patron
- Harrison A. Biswas … Cast, Nightclub guest/Mystery Band member
- Nicky Farrel … Cast, Chucho Valdez
- Ru Flynn … Cast, Official
- Monica Halena … Cast, Greek waitress
- Joi Lala … Cast, Somevillia
- Deborah Magoalena … Cast, Rosalina
- Arturo Sandoval … Cast, Revolutionary