Tonight, TVE 1 unveils a vivid musical portrait at 22:50 in the TV film El rey Peret, a deep dive into the life of a Catalan rumba icon. This biographical work centers on the artist’s most private chapters, tracing a path from early composing and singing to the enduring influence of a Gypsy family lineage on his art, his achievements, and the arc of his personal life. The portrayal brings the rumba master to the screen through the evolving years of his journey, with Jordi Coll embodying the youth of his story and Pep Antón Muñoz guiding the mature, reflective phases. The ensemble cast also features Asia Ortega, Jordi Planas, Paco Moreno, Elena Gadel, Paul Berrondo, Pepa López, and Toni Sevilla. This year’s premiere aligns with the 50th anniversary of Peret’s memorable Eurovision moment in 1974, when his performance of Sing and Be Happy captivated viewers and stood out in a competition won by ABBA with Waterloo. The film not only revisits a pivotal performance in European pop history but also showcases how Peret’s distinctive rhythm and storytelling forged a lasting cultural bridge across generations and borders, resonating with audiences who value authentic musical biographies and the social tapestry of Catalan and Romani musical traditions. Through strong performances and a carefully crafted soundscape, the film invites viewers to understand how Peret’s craft helped shape a genre that continues to influence contemporary Latin-infused folk and urban sounds. The narrative threads emphasize artistic evolution, family heritage, and the resilience required to sustain a creative life in the spotlight while remaining grounded in personal roots and communal memory. As a tribute on screen, El rey Peret connects the artist’s early experiments, mid-career breakthroughs, and late-career reflections, offering a comprehensive portrait of a figure who expanded the reach of Spanish rumba beyond regional limits and into a broader international audience. The film’s musical selections and orchestration highlight the infectious energy of Peret’s repertoire, from lively party tunes to more intimate ballads, illustrating how a single artist can carry a cultural movement forward while staying true to his unique voice. This cinematic exploration thereby serves not only as entertainment but as an informative chronicle of a cultural moment that continues to inspire musicians, scholars, and fans across the Americas and beyond. (citation: TVE programming notes)
