Alberto Guerra Talks ‘Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!’ at Sundance 2026

Name: Alberto Guerra

Notable past projects: The Cuban actor has starred in Netflix series including “Griselda” with Sofía Vergara, Mexican thriller “The Accident” and “Narcos: Mexico.”

Sundance project: “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!,” which premiered as part of the festival’s U.S. dramatic competition. Set in Tokyo’s ballroom dance scene, the film stars Oscar-nominated Rinko Kikuchi as a widow navigating grief who begins working with a new tango instructor, played by Guerra.

 ”This is the journey of a woman who’s not scared to feel and to show her emotions,” Guerra says. “And at some point in her journey be open to, ‘OK, let’s try new things.’ The whole movie is packed with metaphors and beautiful wisdom.”

Walking up and down Main Street in Park City after the premiere, the actor was moved by how many people were stopping him in the street to applaud the film’s message.

“One of the messages of the movie is it’s OK to be messy sometimes,” Guerra says. “We wanted to show that not every process has to be as painful as it looks from the outside.”

Guerra credits writer-director Josef Kubota Wladyka’s approach to the “serious and painful” subject of loss and grief. “He made her journey through grief be fun and entertainment, and still very deep and emotional at the same time,” says the actor.  ”Through her imagination and her dreams and her nightmares and her disordered reality, it’s a beautiful cinematic experience.”

The film is anchored in several dance sequences, an experience that took Guerra out of his comfort zone as an actor.

“ I’m Cuban, and there is this misconception that every Latino, especially Cubans, we know how to dance. Well, not me, I don’t know how,” says Guerra, who worked with choreographers over the course of the two-month rehearsal process. “It was quite the experience to be a Latino and going to Japan and learning over there, in Japan, how to tango and how to mambo, how to cha-cha, from the ballroom dance perspective. That was hard work.”

The actor also appreciated how his role subverts common portrayals of Latino characters onscreen.

 ”Usually it involves violence and it involves a harsh reality. And this was not about that,” he says. “This was about dancing. This was about human beings connecting to each other from different levels. It’s about how complex we all are and how we connect to each other. At the end of it, we all help each other, even if we don’t know each other, to go through life.”

After the festival, Guerra was heading home to Mexico City to spend time with family. He was several projects coming out this year, including series “MIA” for Peacock and a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana that will launch in February.

“I was so busy for almost four years out of home, working all over the place, that I really want to take a few months just to hang out with my kids,” he says, adding that the downtime also supports his creative endeavors. “If you don’t have a life, you don’t have a life to tell.”

Beyond the Ballroom: The Evolving Landscape of Representation in Film

Alberto Guerra’s experience with “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” highlights a growing trend in cinema: the deliberate dismantling of stereotypes and the embrace of nuanced storytelling. This isn’t simply about casting diverse actors; it’s about offering them roles that challenge preconceived notions and allow for complex character development. The film’s success at Sundance signals a hunger for these kinds of narratives.

The Rise of ‘Authentic’ Casting and Storytelling

For years, Hollywood has faced criticism for its lack of representation and its tendency to rely on tired tropes. Audiences are now demanding authenticity. This demand is driving a shift towards “authentic casting” – prioritizing actors who share lived experiences with the characters they portray. A recent UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report (https://www.ucla.edu/news/hollywood-diversity-report-2023/) showed a slight increase in representation across key roles, but emphasized the need for continued progress, particularly behind the camera.

This trend extends beyond casting. Writers and directors from underrepresented backgrounds are gaining more opportunities to tell their own stories, leading to narratives that feel more genuine and resonant. The success of films like “Everything Everywhere All at Once” demonstrates the commercial viability of these stories.

Dance as a Metaphor for Life’s Complexities

“Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!” utilizes dance – specifically ballroom dance – as a powerful metaphor for navigating grief, connection, and self-discovery. This reflects a broader trend in film where physical expression is used to explore emotional landscapes. Think of the use of movement in films like “Black Swan” or “Whiplash,” though Kubota Wladyka’s approach, as Guerra notes, is distinctly focused on joy and healing.

Did you know? Dance therapy is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for processing trauma and improving mental well-being. Its inclusion in film narratives can help destigmatize mental health issues and promote understanding.

The Global Appeal of Intimate Stories

The film’s setting in Tokyo and Guerra’s role as a Cuban tango instructor in Japan underscores the increasing globalization of storytelling. Audiences are becoming more receptive to narratives that transcend cultural boundaries and explore universal themes. Streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have played a crucial role in facilitating this trend, making international content more accessible than ever before.

Pro Tip: Filmmakers looking to connect with a wider audience should consider stories that explore shared human experiences, regardless of cultural context.

Balancing Work and Personal Life: A New Priority

Guerra’s desire to spend time with his family after a period of intense work reflects a growing awareness of the importance of work-life balance, even within the demanding entertainment industry. This is particularly true for actors who have spent years prioritizing their careers. The pandemic forced many to re-evaluate their priorities, and a renewed focus on personal well-being is now emerging.

FAQ

• What is “authentic casting”? Authentic casting prioritizes actors who share lived experiences with the characters they portray, aiming for more genuine and nuanced performances.
• How are streaming services impacting global storytelling? Streaming platforms are making international content more accessible, fostering a wider appreciation for diverse narratives.
• Why is representation in film important? Representation allows audiences to see themselves reflected on screen, fostering empathy and challenging harmful stereotypes.
• What role does dance play in “Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!”? Dance serves as a metaphor for navigating grief, connection, and self-discovery.

The success of actors like Alberto Guerra, willing to embrace challenging roles and subvert expectations, signals a promising future for cinema. As audiences continue to demand more authentic and diverse stories, the industry will be forced to evolve, creating opportunities for a wider range of voices and perspectives. What are your thoughts on the future of representation in film? Share your comments below!