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Buena Vista Social Club
1999
No one can recall exactly where the Buena Vista Social Club once stood in pre- revolutionary Havana but Wim Wender's documentary of a dozen legendary musicians resurrects the magnificent music of the era. Guitarist Ry Cooder assembled the aging singers and musicians for a series of recording sessions. The resulting 1997 album .. Read more
| Starring | Luis Barzaga, Ry Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer, Lazaro Villa |
|---|---|
| Director | Wim Wenders |
| Genres | Documentary |
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Buena Vista Social Club
No one can recall exactly where the Buena Vista Social Club once stood in pre- revolutionary Havana but Wim Wender's documentary of a dozen legendary musicians resurrects the magnificent music of the era. Guitarist Ry Cooder assembled the aging singers and musicians for a series of recording sessions. The resulting 1997 album won a Grammy. The music performances are intercut with shots of the performers reminiscing in decaying Havana bars.
| Starring | Luis Barzaga, Ry Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer, Lazaro Villa |
|---|---|
| Director | Wim Wenders |
| Studio | AXIOM FILMS |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 40 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Documentary |
| Language | DVD: English, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 16 Jun 2003 Production year: 1999 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (6)
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This charming documentary from director Wim Wenders follows in the footsteps of the album by legendary guitarist Ry Cooder, capturing the rhythm and blues of a group of elderly Cuban musicians — the oldest over 90. Their music had largely been forgotten (some of the musicians featured had long been in retirement), but now it can be heard by a world that had consigned them to a bygone age. The visual style sometimes detracts from the lyrical substance — the camera circles the soloists to an irritating degree — but, despite that, this is still one of the best music documentaries ever made and a compelling testament to the strength of the human spirit.
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Charming account of some exceptional musicians experiencing a late flowering; their enjoyment of life and the style of music they developed is evident, with the energetic, 90-year-old Compay Segundo slyly stealing the show with his reminiscences and vocal
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Most helpful member's review
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16 out of 19 people found this review helpful
Truly uplifting
Having had the album for a couple of years I was interested to see how the whole thing came about - I wasn't disappointed!
I had always assumed that the Buena Vista Social Club as a band had been around for decades and was pleasantly surprised to learn that many of the musicians were long-forgotten and in retirement and were brought together by Ry Cooder and Nick Gold just for the purpose of making an album of Cuban music in an 'old-style'!
It was inspiring to see people in their 80s and 90s making music with all the energy of a 20 year old and obviously enjoying it!
This film is about the music and nothing else.
Superb! -
Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Fantastic !!!
I had the Buena Vista CD (bought at a market in Havana) and is great, but this DVD is 10 times better. Its absolutely fantastic ! I watched the movie twice the same evening (second time with directors comments) and loved it !!! Its a legacy and a ferry tale at the same time. I would highly recommend this film !
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News and features
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Turturro embraces the sounds of Naples
- 29 Mar 2009
Actor/director John Turturro is embracing his Italian roots, by making a new movie about the Naples music scene. The star, who is of Italian ancestry, wants the project to shine a light on the city in the same way 1999 film Buena Vista Social Club introduced the music of Havana, Cuba to the world. The movie will explore classical songs to have come out of Naples - including O Sole Mio and Volare - and how local musicians have fused jazz, blues, rock and rap, as well as African and American... Read more
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No one can recall exactly where the Buena Vista Social Club once stood in pre- revolutionary Havana but Wim Wender's documentary of a dozen legendary musicians resurrects the magnificent music of the ... -