Though true crime, especially in the documentary space, has taken over streaming services like Netflix, don’t expect their exploitive elements
to emerge in the new doc spotlighting Mexican-American music legend Selena Quintanilla, who was slain by a stalker and former employee.
Selena y Los Dinos, coming to Netflix November 17, is something altogether different, a compelling true story that focuses on the familial dynamics that helped create a superstar and more significantly, how the singer and her band started a musical revolution that cross-pollinated Latin and pop music.
In fact, the fatal incident only takes up a slim portion of the film near its conclusion, and Selena fanclub president Yolanda Saldívar, who shot the singer after being confronted about stealing money from her organization, isn’t even shown.
We all know how the story ends, but the doc—which debuted in Park City, Utah at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the “U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Archival Storytelling,” and later screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Texas–has a very specific mission, and it’s as an uplifting one.
Detailing the singer’s trajectory as well as her talents, Emmy-nominated director Isabel Castro presents a more personal and heartfelt picture than what’s already out there, and she has the entire family on board, sharing stories, insights, and never-before-seen footage to achieve her goals.
Of course, most of us, fans or not, have seen the 1997 biopic starring Jennifer Lopez, which arguably made J-Lo a star. Many people also probably saw Netflix’s 2020 mini-series Selena: The Series. There was also a lesser-known 1999 doc called Corpus: A Home Movie About Selena, which aimed to show how her music and death affected fans posthumously in her hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Los Dinos, which was the name of Selena’s band and her father Abraham’s band before that, were an essential part of the star’s success, and this doc is the first to give each member their due in terms of highlighting their musical contributions, from her bassist-producer brother A.B. III, who co-wrote much of the music, to her sister Suzette, who provided rhythmic and emotional support. (Both serve as co-producers on the film).
Her back-up singers and musicians also weigh in, and it’s clear that it was a group effort with a multitude of inputs that helped Selena evolve as an artist. The sonic textures and influences pulled not just from tejano, but also cumbia, rock, and pop, making it accessible to a wide range of fans.
Though she was marketed as a solo artist in the U.S. and Mexico, especially after she signed with EMI Latin in 1989, her family group, which also included guitarist Chris Pérez (who would become her husband), were the foundation that allowed Selena to explore her creative expression and grow.
And there’s much to relate to in Selena’s story, especially for Mexican-Americans. Her story feels particularly resonant right now, as the public debates another Latin crossover, Bad Bunny, and his upcoming Super Bowl halftime gig.
Though she sang in español for most of her career, Selena wasn’t a Spanish speaker growing up. Like many Latino families in the U.S., it wasn’t taught in the home, so she had to learn the language when she started performing. Her charisma, style, and vibrant vocals were universally beloved in any case, and her pop sensibilities always shone through in both languages.
Selena died just before the release of her first English-language single, “Dreaming of You,” which became a massive hit and established her music with a whole new audience. She would have likely broken through beyond the U.S. and Mexico had she lived, which makes the tragedy of her story all the more bittersweet to watch as it unfolds in the film.
But it’s a reminder that while her journey was cut short, her impact remains. Ending with footage from the family-run Selena Museum in her hometown and reflective commentary from her family members, the tone is emotional, but also hopeful. Selena y Los Dinos chronicles how the star broke down cultural barriers while she was alive, but it also illustrates how her legend continues to inspire others to do so.
