The Latin film SHINE, which is playing now on theaters, is about salsa dancing, family, and gentrification, a current national topic, in New York’s Spanish Harlem. The story has an emotional tie to gentrification and the effects of family and culture. It is one of the fastest and highest funded kickstarter for a Latino film.

We had the opportunity to speak with actress Jadi Collado, who plays Griselle, and choreographer Lyric Cruz about the film, gentrification and more.

The film is about community, shot in the community, and even funded by the community. It not only reminds of our heritage but reminds us why it’s important and how gentrification is an important topic. Also, SHINE has given back to the Harlem to help with restoration efforts of the historical mural and/or scholarship fund for Spanish Harlem.

About the film

SHINE is a film about Two Puerto Rican brothers, Ralphi Matas (Jorge Burgos) and Junior (Gilbert Saldivar), from New York’s Spanish Harlem and the street’s best salsa dancers that are separated after a tragedy only to reunite years later on opposing sides of gentrification.

Gilbert Saldivar and Jorge “Ataca” Burgos lead the film along with actor David Zayas (Gotham, Dexter), and Alysia Reiner (Oranges is the New Black).

Director Anthony Nardolillo full of passion for Salsa dancing and his love for New York Spanish Harlem has brought together a film that touches on heritage, pride, family and the current situation of gentrification in the community were the film was shot.