Sambá
World Premiere

Sambá

International Narrative Competition
| Dominican Republic | 90 MINUTES | Spanish | English subtitles
Drama, Female Director(s), Sports, Female Screenwriter(s), Latino Director(s)
After a 15-year stint in a United States prison, Francisco “Cisco” Castillo returns home to the Dominican Republic to find that life isn’t any easier in his old surroundings. Due to his criminal record, he can’t hold down a job, and his alcoholic mother favors her youngest son, a budding teenage criminal who is one stick-up away from jail, or worse. Reluctantly taking up back-alley street fighting to earn cash, Cisco forms an alliance with Nichi, a washed-up boxer from Italy who’s struggling with a gambling addiction. To better both of their financial situations, Nichi offers to train the naturally gifted Cisco in the boxing ring.

Co-directors Laura Amelia Guzmán and Israel Cárdenas put a delicate touch to this hard-hitting boxing drama, rooting a double-sided story of redemption in the mean streets of the Dominican Republic—where the hint of paradise offered by the island always seems just out of reach.

—Ian Hollander

Cast & Credits
Directed by
Israel Cárdenas and Laura Amelia Guzman
The Dominican-Mexican duo of Laura Amelia Guzmán (Dominican Republic, 1980) and Israel Cárdenas (Mexico, 1980) have directed, written, produced and photographed several feature films to date. Their 2014 film, Dólares de Arena, starring Geraldine Chaplin, has been recognized and awarded on several occasions.
Director
Laura Amelia Guzmán, Israel Cárdenas
Screenwriter
Ettore D'Alessandro, Carolina Encarnacion
Cinematographer
Andrei Bowden Schwartz
Editor
Andrea Kleinman, Israel Cárdenas
Composer
Marco Trombin
Executive Producer
Carolina Encarnación, Ettore D'Alessandro
Producer
Ettore D'Alessandro, Carolina Encarnación
Associate Producer
Esteban Martin
Cast
Algenis Pérez Soto, Ettore D'Alessandro, Laura Gómez, Ricardo A. Toribio

Contacts
US Sales Contact
Paolo Ansaldi
1844 Entertainment Inc.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: +39 06 622 05901
paolo@102distribution.com
Print Source
Ettore D'Alessandro
Ecah Film
Santo Domingo, D.N., 10149
Phone: +1 829 902 5808
ecahfilm@gmail.com
International Sales Contact
Tommaso Cerqueglini
1844 Entertainment Inc.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Phone: +39 06 622 05901
Tommaso@102distribution.com
Press Contact
Liliana Rosano
Phone: +1 641 451 7350
press@1844entertainment.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.


Sponsored by:

Newsletter

Subscribe for festival news, exclusive offers, programming updates, and more!
Get Festival Updates

Tribeca Festival Partners

Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
Presenting Partner
Supporters
Presenting Partner
Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Media Friends of the Festival
Presenting Partner
Industry Partners
See all partners