From the shores of Guapi, Colombia came a man with a guitar and a marimba. Diego Obregon learned at his father’s feet to play the music not just of his people, but of his village. While many seek fame and fortune in New York City, Diego only sought to bring the music of his home village to the world. In New York, Diego founded a band with other Colombian musicians living in the city: Chonta. This musical documentary touches heavily on Diego’s family at home in Colombia and his found family of musicians who orbited the man during his time in Queens.
Personal interviews with bandmates, fans, and locals add to the enjoyment of this film as we watch Diego’s journey and dreams unfold. As an undocumented immigrant, Diego faced additional challenges in making his dreams come true. These and other issues of race, language barriers, and providing for a family a continent away are discussed at length by Diego himself and those closest to him. Diego is ultimately successful in making his Dreams of Chonta come true.
While occasionally scatterbrained in its organization, this incredible documentary does an excellent job of introducing us to those around Diego. His bandmates talk at length, explaining why his music is so important. We learn that even native Colombians don’t know about the music Diego plays. Such music and rhythm are in a constant state of decline as the price of instruments, rent, and food travels ever upward.
In a dual-edged attempt to spread and preserve his culture, Diego sacrifices time with his family to blaze a trail for the Pacific Colombian artists who will follow him. He watches his children grow from afar, talking over skype or the phone daily, but being thousands of miles away. While we see numerous interviews with Diego, it’s not often we actually get into the man’s head. In many ways, he is a loner and often we can observe him holding back or closing off. The addition of interviews with others really aids in getting Diego’s hopes and dreams across. In all, Dreams of Chonta is an outstanding musical documentary and it belongs in library collections.
What type of college professor would find this documentary valuable?
Dreams of Chonta would be invaluable for anyone studying the music and culture of South America’s Pacific coast. Musicologists, ethnographers, and those studying human rights and immigration would find much value in Diego Obregon’s story.