Canto de Familia

'CANTO DE FAMILIA' is a USC Advanced Graduate project that documents the experiences of several Mariachi musicians in and around Los Angeles working to advance the perception and customs of a traditional style music in a modern way.

The film follows the Mata family who live in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles and run The Mariachi Conservatory. The Mariachi Conservatory is a young community program that is just gaining ground and striving to be a more recognized institute. As Mexican-Americans, the Mata family are rooted in and adapted to Mariachi tradition and are trying their hardest place their distinctive mark on a musical genre that is normally seen as novel and old-fashioned.

Through these characters, we are guided through the traditions attached to Mariachi music and thrust into a world of people with no other choice but to add new lines to an already rooted genre.

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