The Spanish-speaking world remains in expectation of the upcoming Oscar Awardsto be held on Sunday, March 27, since the song two caterpillars composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and interpreted by the Colombian Sebastian Yatra could become the second song in Spanish to obtain the award for best original song.
Until now, that honor falls on the Uruguayan Jorge Drexler and your theme Across the riverwhich he composed for the film Motorcycle Diariesdirected by Walter Salle in 2004.
Even though Drexler achieved that worldwide recognition in 2005the gala left true disappointment to the audience and the artist himself when he was not allowed to interpret his own song at the ceremony. The reason? the fear of to lose ratings audience, as Drexler was thought not to be ‘famous enough’ for international audiences, so it was replaced by Antonio Banderaswho sang the theme and the guitarist Carlos Santanawho carried the melody.
However, when you win and go on stage to receive your awardDrexler scrapped the traditional thank-you speech and decided to use that time to sing a cappella the beginning of Across the river, a twist that thrilled his thousands of followers.
“I didn’t get mad, I just said that wasn’t my way of doing things,” commented Drexler hours before the 2005 award ceremony. However, he was grateful to Hollywood for his nomination and victory, but above all for allowing Latin American culture to become known to the world “beyond salsa and soap operas”.
As a result of the award received extensive US media coverageincluding an appearance on The Tonight Show. The New York Times wrote: “A deeply talented Uruguayan singer-songwriter in his early 40s, Mr. Drexler writes songs that are contained by the craft, but that attract towards the longing”.
During his career Drexler has recorded thirteen studio albums and has offered concerts around the world, including Guayaquil, where he visited the Sanchez Aguilar Theater in 2013as part of his tour nether world. In addition to the Oscar, he has also been recognized with five Latin Grammy Awards, a Goya and a Silver Biznagaamong others.
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
