drexler's song "al otro lado del río" appeared in the internationally acclaimed film "the motorcycle diaries". though drexler himself sang the song on the movie soundtrack, he was not allowed to perform the song at the 2005 academy awards, since "he was not popular enough," according to spanish newspaper "el país"; spanish actor antonio banderas and mexican-american musician carlos santana sang the track instead. upon winning, drexler recited two verses of the song at the podium. drexler became the first uruguayan to win an academy award.