Leo Susana: Saying It My Way

Is an intimate portrait of the founder of Toque Profundo and JLS, key bands in Dominican rock. Through anecdotes and unseen footage, the documentary reveals the passion, resilience, and artistic legacy of this musician.

  • Joan Espino
    Director
  • Leo Susana
    Key Cast
  • Renato Brea
    Sound
  • Irving Deschamps
    Sound Mixers
  • Arismendy Hernandez
    Second Camera Unit
  • Joan Espino
    Writer
  • Joan Espino
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Leo Susana: Decirlo a mi Manera
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Biopic, Music, Rockumentary, Documentary, Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 11 minutes 6 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 30, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    Dominican Republic, United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Festival de Cine Global de Santo Domingo
    Santo Domingo
    Dominican Republic
    February 3, 2025
    Dominican Republic Premiere
    Hecho en RD
  • New York
    United States
    October 27, 2025
    United States Premiere / New York Premiere
    DOMINICAN IN THE DIASPORA: FEATURE FILM OFFICIAL COMPETITION
Director Biography - Joan Espino

Joan Espino is a Dominican filmmaker based in New York, recognized for his work in directing, editing, and film production. His projects have been featured in international festivals, earning official selections and awards.

His latest feature documentary, Leo Susana: Decirlo a mi manera, premiered at the 17th Global Film Festival of Santo Domingo. The film explores the life and legacy of musician Leo Susana, highlighting his influence on the Latin American music scene.

In February 2025, he completed the filming of VALIENTES, an ambitious documentary about the young resistance fighters from Santiago, Dominican Republic, who defied Trujillo’s dictatorship in the early 1960s.

In addition to these projects, he has directed and edited multiple award-winning short films, including AMABS, which has been recognized at various festivals. His storytelling blends a deep interest in identity, music, and culture with a visually dynamic and engaging style.

He is currently developing a new documentary exploring the influence of musical genres in New York and their global cultural impact.

Joan Espino continues to expand his cinematic voice, seeking new ways to tell compelling stories and contribute to Latin and international cinema. Additionally, he has been a university film professor for over a decade, sharing his experience and knowledge with new generations of filmmakers.

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Director Statement

It was the summer of 2022, and by a series of strange coincidences, Leo Susana was set to perform an acoustic concert in the city. After attending the live performance, I was inspired to create a short documentary about one of my childhood idols. However, I quickly realized that the people around me were unfamiliar with this incredible figure. This realization led me to take the time to craft a more in-depth project to truly tell his story.

Leo Susana: Decirlo a mi manera is the result of a brief encounter with the Dominican rock legend, a chance to share his legacy and musical influence. This documentary not only highlights Leo's profound impact on the rock scene in the Dominican Republic, but also serves as a personal reflection on the role music plays in shaping our lives and identities. My intention with this film is to shed light on an artist whose story deserves to be told, and to offer the audience an intimate portrait of Leo Susana, as seen through my own eyes and experiences as a filmmaker.