Yuli

Cuba, early 1980s: Yuli is a lively child who amazes his friends on the streets of Havana with his sensational breakdance moves. His father, an ordinary worker, disapproves at first — but soon recognizes his son’s extraordinary talent. Hoping to break the cycle of poverty and oppression, he sends him to the state ballet school. Yet Yuli doesn’t want to dance; he would rather become a football player.

Acclaimed Spanish director Icíar Bollaín (También la lluvia) and British screenwriter Paul Laverty tell the story — set against the turbulent backdrop of Cuba’s last 40 years — of an extraordinary career and a deeply moving family history. The biopic Yuli traces the incredible life journey of Cuban dance superstar Carlos Acosta, from a poor suburb of Havana to the Royal Ballet in London.

Yuli is a touching and humorous tribute to the boundary-breaking power of art, spectacularly shot by cinematographer Álex Catalán, featuring choreography by María Rovira and the outstanding dancers of Acosta Danza.

“Thrillingly filmed and performed.” (Screen Daily)