Residente Wants to Share Puerto Rico’s ‘True History’ in Star-Studded Directorial Debut

Residente is heading for the silver screen. The Puerto Rican rapper has officially announced his directorial debut with Caribbean western and historical drama Porto Rico. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Bad Bunny, Edward Norton, Javier Bardem, and Viggo Mortensen. Porto Rico marks Benito’s first leading role in a film.

The film has been a life-long pursuit for Resident, whose real name is René Pérez Joglar. “I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child. Puerto Rico’s true history has always been surrounded by controversy,” Residente said in a statement. “This film is a reaffirmation of who we are — told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves,” the rapper added.

Co-written with Academy Award-winner Alexander Dinelaris, Porto Rico will confront the archipelago’s “complex colonial history” with “a visually intense and emotionally raw lens” as it seeks to portray an honest story about Puerto Rico’s culture and identity. Back in 2023, it was announced that Dinelaris and Residente were writing the film. Since then, Live Nation has signed on as a financer with Alejandro G. Iñárritu executive producing.

It’s not the first time Residente has been behind the camera. Back in 2005, Residente directed the first music video for his rap group Calle 13’s song “Se Vale Tó-Tó.” He has since directed a handful of music videos for his solo music work. In 2024, Residente made his acting debut in the drama In the Summers.

In a statement, Norton, who will support Bad Bunny in Porto Rico and will also serve as producer, compared the movie to past epics. “This film sits in a tradition of films we deeply love, from The Godfather to Gangs of New York, that both thrill us with visceral drama and iconic characters and eras while also forcing us to face up to the shadow story under the American narrative of idealism,” he said.

Norton also commented on Residente’s style as a director. “Everybody knows what a poet of language and rhythm René is. Now they’re going to see what a visual visionary he is as well,” he said. “Bringing him and Bad Bunny together to tell the true story of Puerto Rico’s roots is going to be like a flame finding the stick of dynamite that’s been waiting for it.”