For Love or Country - The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000)

For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story chronicles the life of a man torn between his home and his devotion to his music. In a Golden Globe-nominated performance, Andy Garcia portrays the gregarious, passionate, and obstinate Arturo Sandoval, the Grammy-winning Cuban trumpet player.

This HBO film shows how Sandoval's life in revolutionary Cuba is affected--beginning in the early 1970s--by his zeal for his music and by the limits placed on him by his homeland. Representing his torn loyalties are Dizzy Gillespie (the enigmatic jazz musician played by Charles S. Dutton) and Sandoval's wife, Marianela (played by the beautiful Mia Maestro). Gillespie embodies the freedom to follow one's dream, while Marianela represents family loyalty and the ideals of the Castro revolution. Yet, the same regime his wife embraces forces Arturo to play government-imposed music instead of the jazz that he loves. Sandoval travels the world, and while the Cuban government profits from his success, he is exposed to a freedom that eventually draws him to the difficult and life-changing decision he and his family feel compelled to make.

Against a backdrop of beautiful scenery and exceptional music, For Love or Country provides a harsh depiction of revolutionary Cuba, its outmoded lifestyle, and the restrictions placed on its people. --Mindy Ruehmann Amazon.com

a fanstatic find

I was not looking for this movie and checked out at random. One of best movies I have seen in long while. The music is great and story is one of those that makes you proud to be an American. VIVA CUBA LIBIE October 30, 2008

Truly music history

Especially well-done and a great movie, but, even more importantly, it is a true piece of music history. Most people wouldn't know of Arturo's greatness if Dizzy Gilespie didn't help to Arturo out of Cuba...where they told him what to play. Very highly recommended. A must-see if you're into jazz. July 27, 2008

For Love or Country

For Love or Country - The Arturo Sandoval StoryTruly a remarkable story. What this man endured to escape a communist country to presue a career is music and the type of music that he wanted to play October 18, 2007

Flawless

A great movie to be seen time and time again. One of the best you'll ever see. August 22, 2007

for the love of country

This is a very touching true story played beautifully by Andy Garcia.
If you are cuban, you will have a special interest in this film. April 12, 2007

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