If Angela Álvarez has proven anything, it’s that you’re never too old to reach your dreams. The new documentary Miss Angela tells the story of Álvarez’s life–as a young girl living in pre-revolutionary Cuba to the first music concert that she would give at the historic Hollywood nightclub, Avalon, at the age of 90.
When Álvarez was young, becoming a singer and songwriter like she dreamed was forbidden by her father and grandfather. She got married and had children but continued to write songs in secret. When the Revolution began, Álvarez made the most difficult decision of her life to send her children to the United States as unaccompanied minors through Operation Pedro Pan, a mass exodus of over 14,000 children to the U.S. between 1960-1962.
It took Álvarez four long years to reunite with her children. It wasn’t until decades after that when she would finally find a way to share her music with the world.
“I thought that I could be famous, but my father said, ‘No, no, no,” Álvarez says at the start of the film’s trailer.
Before she performs at the Avalon, a special guest goes backstage to introduce himself: Academy Award-nominated actor and fellow Cuban Andy Garcia (The Godfather Part III) who was hosting the concert at the venue.
“You are my hero,” she tells Garcia as they embrace. Garcia replies: “I heard you needed a bongo player.” They both start to laugh while they hold each other by the arms.
“Even though she’s never had a chance to sing professionally, the music was so alive in her,” Garcia says in the trailer. “This is a real discovery here, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Miss Angela will be available on VOD May 18.