Tito, Margot and Me

(Tito, Margot Y Yo)
Mercedes Arias, Delfina Vidal | Documentary

2022 | 93 minutes | Panama, Colombia

The love story between the British ballerina Margot Fonteyn and her husband, the charismatic Panamanian diplomat Tito Arias.

Biography History Women Central America Dance + Performing Arts Family International Relations Political Science Latin American Studies
Synopsis

A cinematic portrait unfolds of the larger-than-life love story between Panamanian diplomat Tito Arias and renowned dancer Dame Margot Fonteyn. This biographical documentary skillfully intertwines interviews, archival footage, personal correspondence, nostalgic photographs, poignant dance sequences, and excerpts from Fonteyn’s autobiography. It illuminates their enduring bond amidst familial trials, political pressures, and profound love. Their journey, veiled in fame, infidelities, a coup attempt supported by Fidel Castro, and an assault that rendered Tito Arias quadriplegic, emerges as a captivating narrative of resilience and devotion.

Reviews

"Directors Mercedes Arias and Delfina Vidal have reconvened to relay the fascinating tale of Panamanian politico Tito Arias – the director’s first cousin once removed – and his wife, renowned ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn." — Holly Jones, Variety

"An intimate look at the life of the lady of the British Empire and first ballerina of the Royal Ballet and her Central American diplomat husband, who was the son of a Panamanian president. The filmmakers took a journey through the visible past and at the same time imaginary, in search of the meaning and the signifier of love for this couple that remained united for more than three decades, accompanied by the last testimonies that validated their perspective of it history." — Cinema Tropical

"The track of the closest witnesses of the relationship between Arias and Fonteyn and, beyond the show business, discovers a story full of grays, conspiracies, and tragedy. A biographical documentary, a political drama, and a tribute to dance." — Ibermedia

Citation
Main credits

Arias, Mercedes (film director)
Arias, Mercedes (screenwriter)
Arias, Mercedes (film producer)
Vidal, Delfina (film director)
Vidal, Delfina (screenwriter)
Vidal, Delfina (film producer)
Grössl, Joaneska (screenwriter)

Other credits

Cinematography, Alexandra Henao; editing, Juan Quirós, Carlos Revelo, Avilo Montenegro; music, Leonardo Durham.


Citation
Cataloging
Keywords
Tito Margot & Me,Tito Margot y Yo,Tito, Margot & Me,Tito, Margot y Yo,Mercedes Arias,Delfina Vidal,documentary,Panama,Colombia,Latin America,Art,Culture,Music,Ballet,Romance,Biopic,Politics,History,international relations,Margot Fonteyn,Tito Arias,biography,autobiography,biopic,memoir,life history,bio,biographer,biographical,personal account,personal history,diary,personal narrative,sketch,profile,personal letters,letters,journal,personal record,history,context,narrative,past,chronicle,lore,annals,historic,personal history,archive,record,saga,biography,memoir,study,women,womanhood,gender,girl,girlhood,mother,motherhood,female,cis woman,cis female,trans woman,trans female,women’s rights,women’s issues,lady,ladies,gentlewoman,madame,miss,missus,mrs.,dame,damsel,ingenue,lass,maid,maiden,belle,gal,ladyfriend,girlfriend,dear,darling,widow,matron,dowager,gender,gender equality,gender pay gap,women’s liberation,women’s rights,central america,honduras,costa rica,guatemala,belize,el salvador,nicaragua,panama,america central,mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot,central america volcanic arc,centroamérica,panama canal,dance,performing arts,dramatics,music,musical theatre,musical theater,entertainment,performance,performer,performers,dancer,dancers,dancing,musical,pageantry,scenes,live performance,recorded performance,choreography,movement,choreographer,family,kin,fellowship,household,immediate family,extended family,multigenerational family,multigenerational household,kinfolk,family tree,genealogy,nuclear family,modern family,family tree,international relations,global relations,global studies,international studies,international affairs,intercontinental relations,intercontinental studies,foreign studies,foreign relations,national relations,national studies,cross-continental studies,cross-continental relations,political science,micropolitics,macropolitics,political theory,political education,political movements,political thinking,political criticism,poly sci,polysci,political sci,political sciences,political history,history of politics,political systems,communications,journalism,news,information,media,new media,newspaper,newspaper,blogs,news site,news app,pulling string,gathering string,reporting,fourth estate,news media,journalists,journalist,reporters,reporter,latin american studies,caribbean american studies,island studies,latin american culture,latin american history,latin american politics, caribbean american culture,caribbean american history,caribbean american politics,latin american languages,latin american and caribbean studies,hispanic american studies,hispanic people,hispanic culture,hispanic politics; "Tito, Margot and Me"; Pragda Films
Clips
No clips are available yet.
Festivals

IFFP Panama International Film Festival; Havana Film Festival New York; ACAMPADOC International Documentary Film Festival

DIRECTOR: Mercedes Arias, Delfina Vidal

NATIONALITY: Panama, Colombia

YEAR: 2022

GENRE: Documentary

LANGUAGE: Spanish; English

COLOR / B&W: Color

GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult

SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE

AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE

Existing customers, please log in to view this film.

New to Pragda? Register to request a quote.

Related Films

READ MORE

The Sweet Taste of Success

El dulce sabor del éxito
Documentary Spain
An intimate reflection on the concept of success, with an extraordinary main character and interviews with internationally renowned figures.
READ MORE

Panama Canal Stories

Historias del Canal
Drama, Fiction, Romance Panama
Spanning a century, from 1913 to 2013, this impressive, sweeping historical drama chronicles five incredible stories of people who helped build the famous canal and Panama itself.
READ MORE

Juan of the Witches

Juan de las Brujas
Documentary Mexico, United States
An homage to 82-year-old Juan Medellín, a founding member of Mexico City's prestigious Ballet Folklórico de Amalia Hernández. 
READ MORE

Between the Americas, Ep. 2: Panama’s Echo

Documentary The Netherlands
Panama's thriving economy fuels vertical growth. Biemans explores the vibrant neighborhood beneath, uncovering changes for ordinary Panamanians.
READ MORE

Between the Americas, Ep. 1: Listening to San Blas

Documentary The Netherlands
The San Blas Islands house Kuna people facing the realities of climate change. Stef Biemans captures their culture's fading sounds amid rising seas.
READ MORE

Angélica [a tragedy]

Angélica [una tragedia]
Documentary Spain
Recipient of important awards in Spain and abroad, Angélica Liddell's dramaturgy is considered one of the most avant-garde in contemporary European theater. As Liddell starts working in her new play, director Manuel Fernández-Valdés decides to capture her rehearsal process on camera.
READ MORE

Invasion: A Diary of Panama's U.S. Invasion

Invasion: A Diary of Panama's U.S. invasion
Documentary Panama
The invasion of Panama by the U.S on Christmas and New Year of 1989 – when American troops deposed dictator Manuel Noriega, killing an unknown number of civilians in the process- serves as an excuse to explore how a people remember, transform, and often forget their past in order re-define their identity and become who they are today.
READ MORE

Timecode

Drama, Comedy, Fiction Spain
Luna and Diego are the parking lot security guards. Diego does the night shift, and Luna works by day.
READ MORE

Santo Domingo Waltz

Vals de Santo Domingo
Documentary Dominican Republic
An exploration of machismo culture through the eyes of the only three male ballet students in a class of 20 in the Dominican Republic.
READ MORE

Horizons

Horizontes
Documentary Cuba, Switzerland
Alicia Alonso’s splendor still radiates throughout the world of ballet today. A star so brilliant, she has captivated audiences worldwide. Even now at the age of ninety, she continues to encourage the dreams of young dancers who seek to follow in her footsteps.

Related Collections

Documentary Chronicles

A truthful examination and captivating glimpse into the complexities of the region.

Number of titles: 385

SEE COLLECTION >