Calle 13

I would not consider myself a reggaeton fan (nor a music critic), but after watching Calle 13 Sin Mapa, a documentary shown through the Ambulante 2010: Gira de documentales film festival in Mexico City, I am now more inclined to listen to this Grammy and Latin Grammy winning Puerto Rican duo. Taking stage names of Residente and Visitante, the two have tried to create their own unique style of reggaeton infusing a range of musical styles to a largely hip hop beat.

The documentary follows the two on their quest to discover the “real” people and culture of Latin America, which leads them to remote areas of Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. There is little analysis to the continual dismissive comments of all things US/Canada and praise of all things indigenous. And while it is hard to take them too seriously, I found the movie highly entertaining. The scenes of Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca along with the Amazon wanderings brought back wonderful memories of some previous travels.