Netflix drops the teaser for ‘Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will’
Few artists leave behind a truly untouchable legacy, and Juan Gabriel was a shining instance. Aside from his voice and onstage flamboyance, which were cultural touchstones as much as they were sonic history, Netflix is about to peel back the curtain on the man recorded in the personal archive he left behind.
The streamer released the teaser for Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will yesterday, unveiling it to be a four-part documentary which will land on October 30th.
Mind you, it is not just another “rise to fame” retelling. This series digs into Juan Gabriel’s personal archives, his notes and home videos, effectively ensuring that a man who clearly wanted to exist beyond the ether can narrate his own story. Director María José Cuevas promises an intimate look at the artist who defined generations, ensuring a faithful note sans Orientalist glasses.
The teaser sets the tone for the film being a cross between a hatched portrait of a celebrity and who he saw himself as beyond the limelight. One moment, you see Juan Gabriel dazzling a crowd in sequins and all manner of decorated padded shoulders, and the next you catch glimpses of his quiet, human side that has eluded fans until now.
His friends and collaborators speak about him as an eternal, someone whose presence doesn’t fade even years after his passing. It feels less like a history lesson urging you to imbibe information and more like being invited into someone’s home through the pages of personal anecdotes and flipping the digital photo album.
Banking on significant dates. the release comes just before Día de los Muertos, a season dedicated to memory and invoking legacy. This added layer to the documentary turns from a tribute to a reminder of how music, honesty, and bold self-expression can outlast all manner of mortal material fame.
Juan Gabriel: I Must, I Can, I Will premieres in October, only on Netflix. Whether you grew up singing his ballads or are only now discovering the star who redefined Latin music, this one is going to linger long after the final beat.