'Cantinflas' Movie 2014 Soundtrack Features Songs From La Santa Cecilia and Aleks Syntek
Life is short, and when it comes to matters of the heart, love shouldn't always be taken so seriously. Instead, follow the advice of Aleks Syntek's original song, "Ríete De Amor Hasta Que Mueras!" ("Laugh at Love Until You Die"), created for the film "Cantinflas."
The romantic ballad was inspired by the Mexican biopic released by Pantelion Films, which hit theaters Aug. 29.
Considered to be Mexico's greatest and most beloved comedic film star of all time, Cantinflas, born Mario Moreno, was dubbed the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico." The legendary Chaplin himself tipped his hat to the comedian by calling him "the best comedian alive."
Cantinflas won the hearts of not only the Mexican movie-going audience, but he also made an impact on Latin American and American box offices. He also continues to make people laugh on TV today.
Cantinflas is best remembered by the American moving-going audience for co-starring as Passepartout with David Niven in the 1956 film, "Around the World in 80 Days," which won five Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture. Moreno also won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture -- Comedy or Musical for the film.
Barcelona, Spain native Oscar Jaenada, who is best known for his roles in "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" alongside Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, and in "Che: Part 2," took on the lead role of Cantinflas/Moreno. Jaenada, who also starred in "Camarón: When Flamenco Became Legend," for which he received a Goya Award for Best Actor in 2005, spoke to Latin Post in an exclusive interview in conjunction with the film's release.
MT/RT @JeffYorkWriter: One of the better surprises this year?#Cantinflas It & its star#OscarJaenada are delights! pic.twitter.com/YvRdyVPqXw
- Pantelion Films (@PantelionFilms) September 5, 2014
In addition to Syntek, the film's soundtrack includes Grammy Award-winning, LA-based Mexican-America band, La Santa Cecilia. Marisol Hernandez, otherwise known as "La Marisoul," sings the classic song "Tu Vida Es Un Escenario" ("Your Life is Pure Theater"), which was made famous by the late Cuban singer La Lupe. Artists Enrique Bunbury (who was reportedly suggested by Jaenada), Pate de Fua and Los Claxons are also featured on the soundtrack.
"While the film's music was inspired by songwriters such as the legendary Agustin Lara, the soundtrack and the score honored the past with a modern flavor," the film's producer Vidal Cantu said, adding that the Mexican film will be seen in 15 countries in its initial run, according to Billboard.
"We wanted the music to parallel the quality of the acting," Cantu said. "To have artists like Aleks Syntek, Enrique Bunbury, La Santa Cecilia, Pate de Fua and Los Claxons be part of the album represents the best."
Billboard also points out that Roque Banos Lopez, who is currently working on Ron Howard's film "Heart of the Sea," also scored the Pantelion Films project, which stars "Sopranos" actor Michael Imperioli. Syntek, inspired by Moreno's life, added that "he also recorded several versions to parallel the film's bilingual approach since it shifts from English to Spanish."
In addition to Jaenada, the film stars Ilse Salas ("Un alma simple," "Todo sobre mi madre"), Luis Gerardo Méndez ("Nosotros los nobles,"La otra familia"), Gabriela de la Garza ("Amores querer con alevosía," "Tu mataste a Tarantino"), Ana Layevska ("El firulete," "Querida enemiga"), Adal Ramones ("¿Y ahora qué hago?," "Mujeres asesinas"), Bárbara Mori ("La mujer de mi hermano"), Rafael Amaya ("Doctor mateo," "Hospital central") and James Michael Imperioli ("The Sopranos," "Goodfellas," "Law & Order").
Check out Syntek's "Ríete De Amor Hasta Que Mueras" from the "Cantinflas" soundtrack.