Documentary about Mercedes Sosa, ‘Voice of Latin America,’ to screen in her native Argentina

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Musician David Byrne of the Talking Heads and Latin American singers including Pablo Milanes and Charly Garcia remember the late, great artist Mercedes Sosa in a new Spanish-language documentary about her life.

“Mercedes Sosa: la voz de Latinoamerica,” or “Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America,” was directed by Rodrigo Vila of Argentina. It screens in her native Argentina on June 6.

The film received top prize from the public at Panama’s International Film Festival in April.

The documentary was the idea of Sosa’s only child, Fabian Matus, who was also the project’s producer.

Sosa, who died in 2009 at age 74, was known for her huge voice and trademark song, “Gracias a la Vida.” She was a leading leftist voice inspiring people who opposed South America’s military dictatorships of the 1970s.