The animated musical feature film, Chico and Rita has been previously profiled on the site; the last time was when Tambay announced its screening at the Miami International Film Festival back in March. Written and directed by Fernando Trueba, Chico and Rita will now be featured as the opening film of the 2011 New York International Latino Film Festival, which begins Monday, August 15th.

Set back in 1940, the love story’s synopsis reads: “Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey – in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero – brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood and Las Vegas, the two battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.“

A love story with black characters and vibrant music…count me in!

I hope to catch the screening on the 16th, and will provide my thoughts here if I do.

Here’s the trailer.