Character Relationship Map: Yuli

Characters

• Pedro (played by Santiago Alfonso) — protagonist

  Carlos's father who gives him the nickname Yuli and believes he is the reincarnation of the African god Ogun. He recognizes his son's natural dancing ability and insists he enroll in the National Ball...

• Carlos Acosta (Actual) (played by Carlos Acosta) — protagonist

  The real-life Carlos Acosta playing himself. Serves as the documentary-style narrator and narrative anchor, reflecting on his journey from a Havana street child to an international ballet star.

• Carlos Acosta (Joven) (played by Keyvin Martínez) — supporting

  The young protagonist raised in the impoverished streets of Havana. Initially resistant to discipline, he eventually discovers his passion for dance and undergoes rigorous training at the National Bal...

• Maestra Chery (played by Laura de la Uz) — supporting

  The strict and demanding ballet instructor at the National Ballet School of Cuba. She recognizes Carlos's raw talent and enforces the discipline necessary to transform him into a professional dancer.

• María (played by Yerlín Pérez López) — minor

  Carlos's wife and life partner. She remains a constant source of emotional support and stability, anchoring his personal life amidst the pressures of international touring and professional demands.

• Berta (played by Andrea Doimeadios) — minor

  A fellow dancer and associate within the ballet company. She provides camaraderie and shares professional experiences, reflecting the collaborative environment of the dance company.

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Berta → Carlos Acosta (Actual) (Professional Fellow Dancer) — Berta connects Carlos to his Cuban dance community.

  Berta is described as a fellow dancer and remains in Cuba while Carlos struggles with belonging abroad and at home.

• María → Carlos Acosta (Actual) (Romantic Wife) — María represents Carlos's intimate family attachment.

  María is identified as Carlos's wife and asks when he will return after Pedro gives him the contract and ticket.

• Carlos Acosta (Joven) → Carlos Acosta (Actual) (Temporal Earlier Self) — The adult narrator looks back on his younger self.

  The film presents the young dancer's resistance and development while the adult Carlos reflects on that journey.

• Maestra Chery → Carlos Acosta (Actual) (Professional Career Adviser) — Chery encourages the adult Carlos to embrace professional risk.

  Maestra Chery urges Carlos to accept the English National Ballet offer and warns that artists must take risks.

• Pedro → Carlos Acosta (Actual) (Family Father) — Pedro remains a defining influence in Carlos's adult identity.

  Carlos's adult reflections center on Pedro's parenting, family history, and decision to send him toward ballet.

• Carlos Acosta (Joven) → Maestra Chery (Professional Student) — Carlos is the rebellious student under Chery's instruction.

  Carlos attends the ballet school where Maestra Chery demands discipline and argues that he was born to dance.

• Pedro → Carlos Acosta (Joven) (Family Father) — Pedro is Carlos's demanding but devoted father.

  Pedro searches for the boy, takes him to the ballet audition, and later tells him to accept the English National Ballet contract.

Story Analysis

A Cuban dancer's rise to international prominence becomes a struggle between artistic freedom, family loyalty, cultural inheritance, and belonging.

Plot Progression

1. A Boy Resists Ballet — Pedro brings the rebellious young Carlos to a prestigious ballet school. Carlos rejects ballet, prefers football, and struggles with the discipline and travel required.
2. Discipline Under Pressure — Carlos's truancy and suspensions threaten his place at school. Pedro asks for another chance while Maestra Chery insists that Carlos possesses exceptional talent.
3. Inherited Memory — Pedro shares his memories of ballet, racist violence, slavery, and family resistance. Adult Carlos reflects on the emotional truth carried by these stories.
4. The London Choice — Carlos's talent brings an offer of a principal position with the English National Ballet. Chery encourages him to accept the risk of leaving Cuba.
5. A Divided Belonging — Pedro gives Carlos the contract and ticket, even as María asks when he will return. The ending weighs artistic freedom against family loyalty and responsibility to Cuba.