In 1996, American guitar legend Ry Cooder brought together an assembly of veteran singers and musicians from Cuba, and with them recorded "Buena Vista Social Club" - named after a former nightspot in Havana.
The album was an unexpected success, winning a Grammy Award and selling millions ... Read review
In 1996, composer, producer, and guitar legend Ry Cooder entered Egrem Studios in Havana ... more
with the forgotten greats of Cuban music, many of them in their 60s and 70s, some of them long since retired. The resulting album,Buena Vista Social Club, became a...
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In 1996, composer, producer, and guitar legend Ry Cooder entered Egrem Studios in Havana ... more
with the forgotten greats of Cuban music, many of them in their 60s and 70s, some of them long since retired. The resulting album,Buena Vista Social Club, became a...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Reprint Movie Poster; Rolled Poster; Poster Condition: New; Size: 27 x 39 inches approx. ... more
All our items are despatched from the United Kingdom. Starring - Luis Barzaga, Joachim Cooder, Ry Cooder, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, Julio Alberto Fernandez, Manufacturer: MoviePostersDirect
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Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas, Wings of Desire) explores Cuba's musical past in this ... more
critically acclaimed documentary.Accompanying Ry Cooder, producer of the 1997 Grammy award-winning album Buena Vista Social Club, back to Cuba, Wim Wendera encounters Ibrahim Ferrer, Company Segundo, Ruben Gonzalez, Omara Portuondo and other members of the band. Together, these veteran musicians reminisce about the glory of their musical past where, at the height of their success in the 1930s and 40s, they were acclaimed as the greatest musicians in Cuba.The film observes their rehearsals with Ry Cooder in a studio, leading up to their first performance in America, at New York legendary Carnegie Hall.A remarkable record of an immensely gifted group of musicians, Buena Vista Social Club is a journey as emotional and uplifting as the music itself.
When the album Buena Vista Social Club was released it quickly became a worldwide ... more
phenomenon selling millions of copies internationally and winning a Grammy. When Ry Cooder travelled to Cuba again early in 1998 to record a solo album with Ibrahim Ferrer - again with all the musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club - Wim Wenders accompanied him with a small film crew, observing the musicians in the studio and tracing their lives in Havana. The film continued in the spring in Amsterdam where Buena Vista Social Club gave two concerts and ended, finally, in the summer in New York with a triumphal concert in Carnegie Hall.The result is an inspiring and uplifting story of a group of incomparable musicians recreating a bygone era with their fascinating reminisces and awesome music.
Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban ... more
son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather" and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright
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Ry Cooder's name has helped bring attention to this session, but it's the veteran Cuban ... more
son musicians who make this album really special. Reminiscent of Ellington in its scope and sense of hushed romanticism, Buena Vista Social Club is that rare meld of quietude and intensity; while the players sound laid-back, they're putting forth very alive music, a reminder that aging doesn't mean taking to bed. Barbarito Torres's laoud solo on "El Cuarto de Tula" is both more blinding and more tasteful than any guitar showcase on any recent rock album; a quote from "Stormy Weather" and some very distinct parallels to Hawaiian styles remind us of why it's called "world music." --Rickey Wright
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Advantages: Brought Cuban music, and the surviving stars of its heyday, to a wide audience in a way that's supremely touching and enjoyable Disadvantages: None...even if you think you don't like this genre of music, by the end of this film you will!
...by the only two concerts Buena Vista Social Club ever played - Amsterdam in April 1998, and an emotional trip to New York's Carnegie Hall three months later. Wenders captured it all, creating a movie that perfectly complements the Buena Vista Social Club record.
The official live performances are intercut with footage (both musical and interview) of each member of the BVSC, as well as journeys around the dilapidated beauty of Cuba ... ...best conveys the spirit of Buena Vista Social Club, and the effect is slowly captivating. Wenders affords each memorable character equal screen-time, giving the viewer a chance to familiarise themselves with everyone involved. Besides the wonderful talents on display - this is musicianship to inspire as much as admire - the personalities shine through.
90-year old Compay Segundo, forever puffing on a sizeable cigar, relays engaging ... more
In 1996, American guitar legend Ry Cooder brought together an assembly of veteran singers and musicians from Cuba, and with them recorded "Buena Vista Social Club" - named after a former nightspot in Havana.
The album was an unexpected success, winning a Grammy Award and selling millions of copies. Many of the artists featured on the record had long been forgotten in their homeland, including vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer, guitarist Compay Segundo and pianist Ruben Gonzalez.
This film, shot in documentary style by Wim Wenders, came about through Cooder's return to Cuba two years after the original album. He was back to produce Ferrer's solo album with the other BVSC members on board once again. The project was followed by the only two concerts Buena Vista Social Club ever played - Amsterdam in April 1998, and an emotional trip to New York's Carnegie Hall three months later. Wenders captured it all, creating a movie that perfectly complements the Buena Vista Social Club record.
The official live performances are intercut with footage (both musical and interview) of each member of the BVSC, as well as journeys around the dilapidated beauty of Cuba itself. The juxtaposition of stunning, weathered architecture and the surorunding poverty - a troubled history appears to have left the country in a time-warp - is visually arresting. There's a sad beauty to much of it, and this poignancy is heightened by the gorgeous sounds of these (mostly) ageing virtuosos - either in tandem, or solo - as they play in front of the camera from a variety of locations.
It's this aspect of the film which best conveys the spirit of Buena Vista Social Club, and the effect is slowly captivating. Wenders affords each memorable character equal screen-time, giving the viewer a chance to familiarise themselves with everyone involved. Besides the wonderful talents on display - this is musicianship to inspire as much as admire - the personalities shine through.
90-year old Compay Segundo, forever puffing on a sizeable cigar, relays engaging tales of his life, and a mischievous streak when it comes to women...."I have five children...but I'm working on a sixth". The other main star of the piece is Ibrahim Ferrer, a soulful being with a humility and grace that would shame most Westerners. Even to the uninitiated, it's clear that he also possesses a remarkable voice.
However, no favouritism is displayed by Wenders, and the lingering impression is of a group of kindred spirits united by a common, lifelong, passion....all working together to create some of the most evocative music of the 20th Century. The studio scenes capture the magic and purity of their collaboration, as Cooder and his extended family of colleagues are filmed during the recording process.
Buena Vista Social Club - the film - is so much more than a concert video, and so much more than a documentary on the making of an album. This is a stirring, emotional and even educational experience. Exposure to just the music itself, meanwhile, will lead to almost certain addiction.
Advantages: very dreamy Disadvantages: oops, fast asleep
Ry Cooder goes to Cuba, meets up with several legendary yet broke Cuban musicians, and makes a documentary movie with lots of music in it about how he meets them, and recording the album, then going on tour, and how he single-handedly rejuvenated some old folks careers.
Interspersed with beautiful dreamy photography of a dusty, flaky old Cuba where enormous pastel American cars trundle about scuffing up dust and knacking their bodywork.
The music ... ...which bounce and tinkle in funky cellars, while big mommas roll fat cigars on their sweaty ol' thighs. Some of the old-timers Ry has uncovered are stunning in their crinkliness - one old guy is about 85 years old - still has one hell of an eye for the ladies and plays a mean joanna.
All in all, a dreamy picture - literally so, because I fell asleep in the cinema whilst watching it and didn't miss a thing. I woke up in time for the highlight of the ...
sammykipper 13.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Buena Vista Social Club (DVD)
Loving Wim as I do, I was intrigued to see what he could achieve with this group of stellar musicians.
In a word, Greatness.
Having this group of warm, vital and oh so talented people sure helped him out. What is captured, for me, is the incredible staying power of true, heart felt music. These people sing, play and dance with a sense of worship. Having seen many hard times and passed through trials and tribulations (that we in the US have little ... ...continue to shine like diamonds.
Wim also conveys an old world beauty in a place run over by westernization. The surf smacking the coast line and spraying the ol' 50's cars racing down the road. The streets at night dimly lit, allowing the colors to permeate your senses. You feel like you can taste the blues and touch the pinks. The bright afternoon sun, sparkling among the ruin of buildings long forgotten to some but revered still by others. A ...
ros145 15.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Buena Vista Social Club (DVD)
Advantages: Stunning Music, Hilarious Characters Disadvantages: Umm. If you don't like Cuban music, you're stuffed
The Buena Vista Social Club are a group of Cuban musicians, unheard outside Cuba for decades. The film follows Ry Cooder as he and his son Joaquin round up the musicians that, two years earlier, recorded the multi-million selling album 'Buena Vista Social Club', so they can, in turn, record a solo album for singer Ibrahim Ferrer.
The film could be described as a 'rockumentary' but without the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. These musicians are mostly ... ...fat cuban cigars and the odd drop of rum. But each member is a charmer.
The film opens with the superb Chan Chan being performed in Amsterdam. It really is such a powerful piece and really sets you up to watch the rest of the film.
From here we meet each individual member recounting stories of how they became musicians as well as peculiar little anecdotes ranging from a Fidel Castro vs Che Guevara golf match to a fried chicken neck hangover cure. ...
Sumoeggnoodle 04.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Buena Vista Social Club (DVD)
Advantages: Joyful and evocative documentary. Great music. Disadvantages: None.
...used to play in the Buena Vista Social Club. The result is a poignant tale of them getting the first chance to perform in many years.
They may have been forgiven, therefore, for being a little rusty. However, the music carries the listener away. I did not know the names of the musicians involved, but the Buena Vista apparently hosted some of Cuba's best bands. They had not forgotten their talents, even after a span of nearly 50 years. Most of the ... ...living in poverty, yet are all blissfully happy and full of energy. There is no clash of egos, just the joy of sharing in a wonderful musical experience.
So get hold of a copy and get a small glimpse behind the long-closed doors of the Buena Vista Social Club. ...
drewish 29.11.2006 (06.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Buena Vista Social Club (DVD)
Advantages: Wonderful, magical, life affirming Disadvantages: sometimes slow
Buena Vista follows Ry Cooder, the legendary guitarist and composer, as he hangs out in Cuba with the geriatric superstars of Cuban Jazz, all filmed by Wim Wenders.
The film is shot in documentary style, mostly on Steadycams, and has a rough and ready feel to it. For all of that the people and places come across wonderfully vividly. And what people and places!
In about 1996 Ry Cooder recorded an album with the great but forgotten jazz musicians ... ...shows us something of the recording, lets us meet the people, see Cuba, and hear the foot tappingly gorgeous music. The crazy thing is that the musicians are old, from 60 to 90, forgotten for years, retired arthritic, and given a second and huge lease of life by the success of this recording. You have these men, and one woman, smoking huge cigars and telling us about themselves and how they began to play. Fantastically wrinkled faces talking about ...
Gervase 08.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Buena Vista Social Club (DVD)
Scene Index, Theatrical Trailer, Directors Commentary, Deleted Scenes
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
"...Exhilarating....A documentary that mixes music with impressionistic glimpses of urban life in Cuba..." (New York Times, p.E24, 04/06/1999)
"...A valid celebration of musical sophistication and ageless optimism..." (Sight and Sound, p.40, 01/10/1999)
"...Opulent, organic and as intoxicating as a rum binge....Terrific, truly liberating stuff..." -- 4 out of 5 stars (Total Film, p.97, 01/10/1999)
DVD Description
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.
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