In the Southwest of Colombia, there is a city where salsa dancing exists in a form that is unique in its boldness and energy, yet pure in its tradition and style. Caleños (as the locals of Cali are known) have developed a lightning-fast style of dance called Salsa Caleña that has become an enduring symbol of the people and a culture.

From Heaven is Cali—the title of which is taken from the famous salsa anthem "Cali Pachenguero" by Grupo Niche—is a documentary profile on the dancers, musicians, nightclub owners, and costume designers who bring life to this exciting dance tradition. Director and photographer Christaan Felber also goes behind the scenes of Delirio, a salsa cabaret troupe in Cali, as they prepare for one of their sensational evening stage shows.

“Television and film often depict Cali in relation to drug cartels,” says Felber, “but it also happens to be the salsa dancing capital of the world. For Caleños, dancing is what they turned to in order to heal the city from its dark history. Salsa brought the people together and gave them the opportunity to choose art before grief, and replace pain with color and joy.”

Salsa is ubiquitous throughout Cali, from the taxi radios to supermarket speakers, salsa music is the sound of the city. In the evenings, the clubs are packed with adults while away the hours with a little side to side jiggling, but at a professional level, salsa caleña can combine high-performance athletics, dizzying footwork, and physical agility, woven together with sequins, feathers, and a hypnotizing smile.

“Salsa Caleña is not only danced but consumed with a burst of energy, joy, and sentimentality that brightens the streets of Cali whenever there’s salsa music playing,” says the director. “Ultimately, From Heaven is Cali explores the relationships between this unique artform and the people whose lives are interwoven into a culture that has become synonymous with the city of Cali.