"Here in Canada, I am Joe."
The voice is Chepe's, a character in a provocative play by Latin American immigrants. In his statement, Chepe captures a central theme of all Latin American refugees: whether to discard or retain their heritage in the face of a homogenizing North American culture. Changing Rhythms documents the making of a musical play about the pain, loneliness and enrichment that comes with adapting to life in a new country. A hot salsa beat weaves together interviews and scenes. Important as a link to their native culture and as a stabilizing influence on their lives in Canada, the rhythms of these men's homeland becomes an issue in itself.