Caroline Framke Chief TV Critic“Menudo: Forever Young” won’t mark the first time that members of Latin America’s iconic supergroup have tried to reveal the truth of what it took to be a part of it.
As the new docuseries from directors Angel Manuel Soto (“Charm City Kings”) and Kristofer Rios (“Havana Skate Days”) details again and again, each time more revealing than the last, Menudo alums have been speaking plainly for years about the exhaustion, neglect and sexual abuse they allegedly suffered under the thumb of Edgardo Diaz, the man who masterminded the boy band.Over four episodes — two of which premiered at the Tribeca Festival, and all of which will be available to stream June 23 on HBO Max — “Forever Young” does its best to balance tributes to Menudo’s undeniable legacy with disturbing testimonies about the working conditions the group endured. (Diaz, per the series’ omnipresent disclaimer, did not respond to the filmmakers’ request for comment or an interview.) While some music historians and journalists contextualize the rapid rise and widespread influence of the group, much of the insight comes from former bandmates.
Since Diaz infamously cycled out Menudo members once they hit puberty, the group encompassed more than 30 boys over 20 years.
So it’s to the docuseries’ credit that it includes men from almost every stage of Menudo’s lifespan. (Ricky Martin, the most famous graduate by a mile, only appears in video flashbacks.) There’s so much more to say about Menudo’s history than these episodes have time to explore.
Read more on variety.com
Get the latest stars news and celebrity rumours with exclusive stories, photos, videos and interviews.
Breaking up, scandals, engagements, divorces, gossip – all you need to know about the private lives of your favorite celebs.
Get to know the latest showbiz news along with exclusive interviews and even more. All this is waiting for you on the main page 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Who, where, when, with whom, how, why and for what!? Stay tuned to know first!
Just follow us daily and we will provide you with the current news from the life of famous stars and celebrities.
Owner: SNOWLAND s.r.o.
Registration certificate 06691200
Address:
Snowland s.r.o.
16200, Na okraji 381/41, Veleslavín, 162 00 Praha 6
Czech Republic
©2024. All rights reserved.