Latin Grammy Winner Milly Quezada Musical Biopic Closes IFF Panama

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Leticia Tonos, the acclaimed Dominican filmmaker, is making a comeback with her latest project, “Milly, Queen of Merengue,” which is set to close the 14th Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama) on April 12. This marks Tonos’ first foray into the world of bio-musicals, following her success with three dramas that have represented the Dominican Republic at the Oscars.

“Milly, Queen of Merengue” tells the inspiring story of Latin Grammy-winner Milly Quezada, who escapes the civil war in the Dominican Republic and starts a new life in 1970s New York with her family. Together, they form a band and ride the wave of the Latin music explosion, with Milly eventually being crowned the Queen of Merengue and winning numerous accolades, including the Award for Musical Excellence at the 2021 Latin Grammy Awards.

Executive producer Leslie Cohen, a former The Mediapro Studio executive, describes the film as a celebration of legacy, resilience, and the transformative power of music. The project also features Rose Marie Vega, founder of RMVISTAR, and Daysi Cruz Cid from Morgana Studios as executive producers.

In an interview with Variety, Tonos shared her inspiration behind the film and how she wanted to shine a light on the importance of music in Dominican and Caribbean culture. She chose to focus on Milly Quezada’s story due to her immigrant journey and the challenges she faced in a new country while pursuing her passion for music.

To bring Quezada’s story to life, Tonos cast Dominican-American actress Sandy Hernández Cross in the lead role. Despite limited singing experience, Hernández impressed the director with her acting, singing, and dancing skills, embodying the spirit of Milly Quezada on screen.

Securing the rights to Quezada’s story was a challenging task, as Tonos had to navigate the complexities of music licensing and production. With the help of musical director Allan Leschhorn and choreographer Eric Guzmán, the team worked tirelessly to create a captivating soundtrack and choreography that complemented the narrative.

Beyond being a bio-musical, “Milly, Queen of Merengue” delves into deeper themes that resonate with audiences today. The film’s optimism and positive tone serve as a beacon of hope for Latino culture, addressing relevant issues and highlighting the importance of resilience and cultural pride.

IFF Panama will showcase the film from April 9 to 12, giving audiences a chance to experience the inspiring journey of Milly Quezada on the big screen.