The story of the late Mexican-American Tejano music star, Selena Quintanilla, is one that many still look back on today. The tragic fate of the young woman is one that leaves many to wonder what could have been if it were not for Yolanda Saldivar: the woman who killed her. Since 1995, there have been books, movies, and even a series about her life. But on Nov. 17, Netflix released a new documentary about her life, one that was not focused on her death. The film is called “Selena Y Los Dinos” directed by Isabel Castro.The documentary has a new fresh look on her life, one that is told by the people who were closest to her, even her widowed husband.
From the moment she was 6 years old, Quintanilla was said to have been singing along to her father’s guitar. It made Abraham Quintanilla’s ears perk up, having been in his own band when he was young, “Los Dinos.” Her father saw potential in her, and quickly put together his own band with his kids, and Selena as the singer. Even though the start was small with 15 minute practices a day, the hard work added up to pay off. Their band, Selena y Los Dinos performed at their father’s restaurant and became local small celebrities. In the documentary, her father recounts many financial struggles their family faced, including the ultimate closing of his restaurant.
After moving to another part of Texas, the family started to focus more on booking gigs for their band. It was no secret they were talented, and their shining star singer helped them exceed in the ranks and quickly. They swapped their music genre for Tejano music, starting their path to history. At the age of 14, Selena won the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award from the Tejano Music Awards, which only kicked off her career even more. It was more than difficult, but she made her first appearance in Mexico with an ultimately rough crowd.
When it came to her relationship with her husband, Chris Perez, it was a complicated journey due to her family. Her father recounts disapproving of the relationship, so much so that Selena and Perez went off to get married in secret. Her whole family was deeply hurt and disappointed with her choice, but ultimately her decisions showed assertion in herself and her relationship. She showed that she makes her own decisions, not her family.
The documentary truly went into depth about the cracks in her life that weren’t explored before. From her childhood to the climb to get her career to reach world wide fans, it was all covered. One of the biggest appreciations from the film was the fact that Selena’s killer was barely mentioned at all. It was not about her, and it never was; it was about the legacy Selena left behind as well as showing that at the end of the day she was just a young girl with her life still ahead of her. She had just won her first Grammy, opened her boutique, and was in the middle of recording a fully English album to break into the American music scene. Selena left behind her family, and her loving husband, as well as millions of fans who listen to her music even today. She touched the hearts of so many in such little time and continues to be a shining role model for all girls around the world.
Source: “Selena Y Los Dinos” on Netflix
