Flamenco

Rating:
Summary: Duende on film
Review: Those not in the know tend to think of Flamenco in terms of women with fans and flying skirts and men in boots and macho attitudes. Well, yeah, but there's more, much more. This movie, filmed in a converted Spanish railway station, presents the full range of the Gitano's art, from traditional to modern, individual to group, expressing all the pain and joy of a true, very serious artform. A delight.

Rating:
Summary: If you want dancing - skip this video
Review: TOO MUCH focus on the flamenco singing which leaves much to be desired unless to like to hear hoarse voices screaming. NOT ENOUGH flamenco dancing by really good dancers. I've loved the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances I've seen and all were far superior to this tape. I'll sell this used to anyone - one viewing with fast forward button was enough.

Rating:
Summary: If you want dancing - skip this video
Review: TOO MUCH focus on the flamenco singing which leaves much to be desired unless to like to hear hoarse voices screaming. NOT ENOUGH flamenco dancing by really good dancers. I've loved the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances I've seen and all were far superior to this tape. I'll sell this used to anyone - one viewing with fast forward button was enough.

Rating:
Summary: best modern flamenco video
Review: Without doubt, this is pretty close, to the pure heart of flamenco that you will find on tape. They have a group of Spaniards singing Christmas flamencas, which is really very interesting. The singing is as authentic, and as soulful, as you will find at any tavern or pena in Jerez or Cordoba, etc. As far as dancing, well it is not the primary point of this piece, but dancing in flamenco was traditionally a spontaneous action to the rhythm, like hand clapping, and a percussion instrument. To the real aficionado dancing is just part or the accompaniment to the singer, like the guitar. If you want a classic, watery interpretation of flamenco, then look to the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances. These are for the casual observer that really does not want the pure Cante Jondo. There is a piece in the film with some modern Nuevo-flamenco dance; this was the only bad mark for this great film. If you want more fire you will have to search for old Spanish movies, most which have never been released to video, or head for Andaluz.

Rating:
Summary: best modern flamenco video
Review: Without doubt, this is pretty close, to the pure heart of flamenco that you will find on tape. They have a group of Spaniards singing Christmas flamencas, which is really very interesting. The singing is as authentic, and as soulful, as you will find at any tavern or pena in Jerez or Cordoba, etc. As far as dancing, well it is not the primary point of this piece, but dancing in flamenco was traditionally a spontaneous action to the rhythm, like hand clapping, and a percussion instrument. To the real aficionado dancing is just part or the accompaniment to the singer, like the guitar. If you want a classic, watery interpretation of flamenco, then look to the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances. These are for the casual observer that really does not want the pure Cante Jondo. There is a piece in the film with some modern Nuevo-flamenco dance; this was the only bad mark for this great film. If you want more fire you will have to search for old Spanish movies, most which have never been released to video, or head for Andaluz.

Rating:
Summary: best modern flamenco video
Review: Without doubt, this is the closest to the pure heart of flamenco that you will find on tape. They have a group of Spaniards singing Christmas flamencas, which is really very interesting. The singing is as authentic, and as soulful, as you will find at any tavern or pena in Jerez or Cordoba, etc. As far as dancing, well it is not the primary point of this piece, but dancing in flamenco was traditionally a spontaneous action to the rhythm, like hand clapping, and a percussion instrument. To the real aficionado dancing is just part or the accompaniment to the singer, like the guitar. If you want a classic, watery interpretation of flamenco, then look to the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances. These are for the casual observer that really does not want the pure Cante Jondo. There is a piece in the film with some modern Nuevo-flamenco dance; this was the only bad mark for this great film. If you want more fire you will have to search for old Spanish movies, most which have never been released to video, or head for Andaluz.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow,... I am stunned by this flamenco performance. If there is better flamenco out there, I won't be sorry if I never see it, after I saw flamenco in this movie. Bravo!