Rating: 
Summary: Rescuing the musical depth of Cuba.
Review: Isolated from time and space, away from the year 2000 culture, Cuba and its people show the world that once again they are one of the leading countries in the American continent not only in music but in just about everything. It is amazing how this super stars were just forgotten and no one outside Cuba knew much about them. And not even by young people on the island.No one else could do a better job than Wenders. His moving pictures in BVSC revolve as if they were dancing on the screen at the rythm of this wonderful music from this adorable grandpas. I am afraid that inside this great musical project there is an element that I consider is rather selfish from Ry Cooder (producer). He and his son want to be in the middle of the act. It would have been better to let the cubans alone music-wise. His shrilling guitar does not fit so well on some songs. I hope that Cuban music continues being spreaded around the world, especially in Cuba itself. Candela Candela!!!
Rating:
Summary: Music from the soul, for the soul.
Review: This film is so well done you will be compelled to see it over and over again. You will discover the soul of Cuba and the origins of son, etc., and in the process, your soul will be nourished and forever changed. There is no disguising the genuine talent and humility of thess no longer forgotten artists. You will be overcome with the emotion music evokes.....I am.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent documentary of the history of Cuba's music-
Review: An excellent doumentary of the history of Cuba's typical music. As a child, my mother introduced me to this cultural delicacy, from the times when she used to be a flamenco dancer and singer in Spain and later in Cuba b.c. (before castro). These typical salsa/island rythems and the quality of the documentary in the style of Wim Wenders and Ry Cooder are no surprise that the music won a Grammy. The local shots of Havana in 1998 make you wonder how our neighbors to the south can live in such terrible conditions and still play such happy music. The economic conditions typified in in the film depict present-day Cuba and give creedence to the saying that only the good die young- reason for why castro is still in power and still alive after so many years of his nonsense and dictatorship. Definitely worth 101 minutes of your time!
Rating:
Summary: Poetry in Pictures
Review: No film in the last time has this kind of a melancholical quite but lifely athmosphere. If you see this film you fall in love with it, believe me!
Rating:
Summary: Quit grousing, it's fun and great music!! Share discographys
Review: I was "introduced" to the Latin music by my Brazilian neighbor, but give Ry Cooder his due folks. Most of these marvelous Cuban musicians would still be only memories of your Grandparents had Cooder and Wender (sp)? not put the recordings and DVD together. Documentary or concert tape? who cares? I loved the music and since I've never been to Havana or Cuba, the video section of Ry and his son putting along on their motorcycle thru the city's streets to the recording studio were wonderful background for me.
Am I going to quit searching for Cuban / Latin music because I "found" Buena Vista Social Club? Hell no... I'm looking for more!! Does Ry Cooder's steel guitar work blend in with the Cuban sounds? Ahhh... Who cares? How much Gerry Garcia / Jimi Hendrix crap did we have to listen to... to get to the meat of their talent?
Give it a rest folks.. Or better yet- share some of the discographys of your favorite Latin players, young and old!!
THAT would be really fun!
But quit whining
Rating:
Summary: Very good DVD
Review: Maybe i am a bit biased because i absolutely adore cuban music and especially Buena Vista Social Club cd. However this DVD gives you a perspective of the singers' and players' life. This makes the DVD very intersting and the amazing music also makes it even better.
Rating:
Summary: A Timely documentary
Review: What a timely documentary. Just in time to capture the precious treasures from Cuba; its musicians and their music. I am so glad that they got to be recognized not only in their own country, but worldwide. One thing I noticed is that although most of them were in their golden years, their music and their vitality and life-force remain in their prime. Some of them are gone now. I'm also glad they got to play in New York. To see the wonder in their eyes at the sights and sounds and life in the big apple was heartfelt for me. If there is ever a documentary that is worthy of being in DVD, this is it.
Rating:
Summary: Puts a human face on Cuba
Review: This is a documentary about the famous musicians who played at the Buena Vista Social Club, which has long disappeared, in pre-revolutionary Havana. Apparently guitarist Ry Cooder decided to execute his plan in the late 90's, what he had conceived while visiting Cuba in the 70's, to make an album with these long forgotten folk artists.
Why were these men (and one woman) forgotten? I suppose the U.S.led effort to isolate Cuba since 1959 has played a role in that which has given the regime an excuse for most of its history to frown upon and repress artistic expression that goes beyond its narrow parameters. The regime has placed supreme emphasis on building an economy separate from the U.S. led capitalist world and attempting to survive in a hostile world instead of encouraging artists.
The film displays the picturesque streets of Havana and their denizens watching the scenery from balconies or doorways, playing dominoes, riding in old cars, busses and motorcycles, with lots of stray dogs, including one defecating in the street. But most of all it shows the Cuban musicians reflecting on their life and, of course, playing their charming folk music.
The climax of the film is the group playing at Carnegie Hall in New York. It is certainly moving to see the look on the face of the old vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer as he gets a standing ovation. Several of them are followed through New York as they tour the sites and express enchantment at the great splendor of the city ("Wait till they get mugged," my dad said).
A movie like this is good for it shows the human face of Cuba, instead of Cuba viewed through abstract discussions on socio-political or geo-political theories or through the prism of South Florida half-wits who admire Luis Posada Carrilles and Orlando Bosch. The old men (and the one woman) in it are very charming. Compay Segundo is the oldest one in the movie, about 90, at the time of the shooting. He is also probably the most colorful; he discourses on his cure for hangovers, his love of women and his desire to add a sixth to his five children before he dies. As Anne Louise Bardach mentions in her fine new book "Cuba Confidential" Segundo tried to play a concert in South Florida in the late 90's but it was disrupted by the usual riots and bomb threats stimulated by talk radio demagogues that happen every time a Cuban musician tries to play in Florida and refuses to defect. As I was impressed with during my visit to the island in January 2004, Cuba is full of people who live, work, play, cry, make love, just like everybody else. It's regime is brutal but it is not North Korea.
The regime seems to have gotten past its cultural Puritanism that devastated Cuba's artistic world during the "cultural revolution" of the 60's. Hip hop clothing and rap are flourishing in the country; one can see them and all the latest pop music from Latin America at the night clubs. There is more leeway for artists to express themselves. When I was in Cuba on a school trip, we visited a "special" high school, a training school for "teachers of culture." I can't remember exactly where it was located, but it was full of serious young people. We were treated to a solo vocalist or two and an excellent guitar duet. We saw several excellent music performances from different groups in the rest of our trip. Cuban music is alive and well.
Rating:
Summary: The Social Club Is Gone, But These Musicians Still Live
Review: "Buena Vista Social Club" begins with a live performance by Cuban musicians at Le Carre, Amsterdam. Gradually, throughout the course of this documentary's 100 minute duration, director Wim Wenders reveals to us the story of those musician's lives. This is accomplished by cutting between live concert footage, documentation of their recording studio sessions and scenes of the musicians in and around the streets of Havana.
Most of the musicians featured here, including Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Omara Portuondo and Compay Segundo, had not played in public for a period of at least 10 years. Guitarist Ry Cooder, in association with World Circuit productions, sought them out and convinced them to perform once again for a CD. That CD won a Grammy Award and the resulting world wide audience interest made this deeply emotional documentary possible.
The musicians, who mostly "do not live in the way of possessions", have only the authenticity of their personal approach to life to relate to us with. This may be sensed in their intimate lyrics and lively sense of musical rhythm. Mr. Wenders, who does not, himself, shun the use of possessions, provides us with straight forward utilization of his SONY digital betacam video recorders. Indeed, there are no special effects used here. Lovely sensuous camera motions by Jorg Widmer, made possible through a steadycam unit, are perhaps the only major hi-tech technique used in Mr. Wenders vision for the work.
The documentary ends with a visit to New York City and a July 1st 1998 concert at Carnegie Hall. This is not really a concert video, however, as only excerpts from the live performance are featured. "Buena Vista Social Club" is the story of these musicians, a study of their personal character and a meditation on the city life of both Cuba and New York. All who love music should witness this compelling documentary at least once in their lives.
Rating:
Summary: Quit grousing, it's fun and great music!! Share discographys
Review: I was "introduced" to the Latin music by my Brazilian neighbor, but give Ry Cooder his due folks. Most of these marvelous Cuban musicians would still be only memories of your Grandparents had Cooder and Wender (sp)? not put the recordings and DVD together. Documentary or concert tape? who cares? I loved the music and since I've never been to Havana or Cuba, the video section of Ry and his son putting along on their motorcycle thru the city's streets to the recording studio were wonderful background for me.
Am I going to quit searching for Cuban / Latin music because I "found" Buena Vista Social Club? Hell no... I'm looking for more!! Does Ry Cooder's steel guitar work blend in with the Cuban sounds? Ahhh... Who cares? How much Gerry Garcia / Jimi Hendrix crap did we have to listen to... to get to the meat of their talent?
Give it a rest folks.. Or better yet- share some of the discographys of your favorite Latin players, young and old!!
THAT would be really fun!
But quit whining
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