B is for Bachata – It’s about keeping traditions alive -

B is for Bachata is a short film about Yonathan, a young man celebrating his graduation at a family BBQ. It’s a full-on Dominican party, and as the music plays, the topic of Bachata—a style of music and dance originating from the Dominican Republic—takes center stage.

While everyone else is moving effortlessly, Yonathan struggles. To him, Bachata feels outdated, something he doesn’t quite connect with. He fumbles through the steps, doing a terrible job of performing it, clearly missing the rhythm and meaning behind the dance. Rather than embracing it, he looks to social media for guidance, treating it like just another trend to be learned online instead of something rooted in generations of tradition.

We get a glimpse of a video he posted on social media, where he labels himself the “Dominican Republic Slash,” long hair flowing, guitar in hand. While he immerses himself in rock music, he’s slowly detaching from the music and dance that are part of his identity. But as the short unfolds, Yonathan starts to learn that Bachata isn’t just about dance steps—it carries history, meaning, and a deeper personal connection to his own ancestry than he ever realized.

The film does a great job of highlighting the history of Bachata and its cultural significance, especially within Yonathan’s family. It becomes more than just a question of whether he can dance—it’s about understanding where he comes from and what traditions he may be unknowingly leaving behind.

Before watching, I had never heard of Bachata, and I’ll admit—it intrigued me enough to do a quick Google search and learn more. Traditions like this often get forgotten over time, slowly fading in favor of modern trends that last only a few months before the next “in-thing” takes over.

B is for Bachata serves as both an introduction for those unfamiliar with the dance and a reminder for those who may have lost touch with it. It’s about keeping traditions alive, rediscovering cultural identity, and placing something meaningful back on people’s radar.