Cuba, 1948. 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, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.

Javier Mariscal, the man behind some of the most iconic designs and artwork of this generation, has turned his hand to movies!  The full length feature film “Chico & Rita” was premiered earlier this year and is the culmination of years animating and re-imagining New York and Cuba of the 1940’s and 50’s, through an artists eyes.   The tale of love, heartbreak and music is set against an intensely dramtic political backdrop that serves to create some of the most memorable animated scenes in recent times.

Whilst Mariscal may be better known for his work designing furniture for Nanimarquina, Moroso, Andreu World, Vondom and Magis, as well as his interior and graphic projects for Absolut, Camper, Barcelona City and Amnesty International – his first foray into feature film direction has won him high praise from around the world.

Impeccable work of art – TIMEOUT

One of the 10 best films of the year – BBC

The film is being released in different markets in stages, having premiered at the Telluride Film Festival in late 2010.   Also available to purchase is the accompanying graphic novel that captures the story through Mariscal’s unique and evocative drawings.

Not one to rest on his laurels, Mariscal will also launch a new chair on at Milan this April.  The 100% recycled and 100% recyclable chair sensibly named: GREEN will be manufactured by his fellow Spaniards Mobles 114.  For more on the chair…. click here.

www.chicoyrita.com