Vengo

Rating:
Summary: Where is the soundtrack? I can't find it anywhere!!!!!!
Review: A stunning "audioscape" of pure flamenco. The only reason this film did not get a 5th star from me is for its over-acting and simplistic plot. But maybe that's not such a bad thing. It would take the focus away from the power of the music and cinematography. You can literaly pause the movie at any point, and find perfect shots of rich blends of colors and textures that capture the essence of this film, not to mention look like museum-exhibit-quality photos. But it was both the cinematography and music that made this film so stunning. The best scene by far had to be the old man and woman team under a tent in an open field, belting out complex and soul-stirring notes from simply a voice and a guitar. The true story of this film is in its music.

Now, how about that soundtrack???!!!



Rating:
Summary: Vengo
Review: A truly exceptional film, raw and moving. Itself a great piece of flamenco with full of duende.
It is a simple story of loyalty, love, agony and fate of a Rom (i.e., Gypsy) family caught in a feud of revenge with another family. Musically it is a remarkably rich anthology of living flamenco and its North African heritage. Don't expect a theatrical, stylized presentation of flamenco dances like the ones in Carlos Saura's films. The dances you'll see are spontaneous and real, and for that reason, more touching and memorable.
The final two pieces of music are a masterstroke of the director/composer Gatlif. The instrumental piece, consisting of the sounds of sheet metal hammering and whipping, an engine starter, and a rickety pump engine, is a pure essence of flamenco. The beautifully sung, melancholic "Naci en Alamo" will then lead you through the dark passage of death.
I only wish that a video or DVD would be released soon so that I could see it over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: Great music
Review: As a person who has had very little exposure to Flamenco or low budget art house cinema, this film came as a quite pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed the music from the numerous talented artists whose work was woven into the tale. Indeed the singing of the lady in the bar was truly exceptional and amongst the most powerful i've ever heard in any style of music.
OK so the stroryline was very thin, some of the acting a little dubious and the ending very poor but i still recommend it for the fantastic music. Enjoy this production as a celebration of the very best in traditional Andalusian Flamenco and enjoy the stunningly desolate scenery characteristic of southern Spain.

Rating:
Summary: VIVA LOS GITANOS
Review: Excellent.The music alone is worth the watch.Sure the storyline is thin (vendetta) but a look into the Moorish/Gitano (Gypsy) lifestyle in al Andalus well worth it.Stunning scenery,good acting,flamenco,all make this a great movie.As a descendant of these people I enjoyed a look into a culture that was unknown to me.Another thing that was all too realistic for me was the central character Caco's lack of fear of mortality due to his daughter being deceased;I lost my 4 year old daughter on 9/11/02 and I no longer fear dying if my daughter and I will be reunited.

Rating:
Summary: Vengo
Review: First rate for its depiction of contemporary Andalusian gypsy life and its vivid dance and music. However, the story line is very weak. The film hangs loosely around a vendetta between two families, and of course ends in the expected way. I loved the opening music, the mixture of Moroccan Arabic and gypsy, but I have absolutely no idea what it had to do with the film's plot, if anything. Re Caco's daughter, Pepa, her death obviously plays a large part in what happens, but the circumstances surrounding her death are vague in the extreme. Nevertheless, I'd recommend this movie just for the music and dancing. The acting also is first-rate, honest and compelling in the depiction of the human emotions expressed in the story. It is terrific at this level, and it's extremely refreshing to find a film daring to deviate from the standard junk fare that the American film industry thrusts down our throats.

Rating:
Summary: Hola!
Review: Great music . . . not much of a story but wonderful to listen to.

Rating:
Summary: a dream
Review: I am from the gypsy world so to me this movie is so real and so true that I was almost on the verge of tears. The music direction is amazing. This is like watching a Passolini movie - but a Passolini of modern days. The camera work is also good. If you get a chance watch this movie.
The movie is about that part of Spain which does not get publicity. Life here means more than football games and TV - it is music and the passion for music. Life and death are part of a flow where everybody gets the chance to die (some with honor and some as sacrifice). The passion behind this movie is beyond imagination - the only recent movie I can compare with is "Sound of Music" but at a much grand scale.

Rating:
Summary: Visual/Audio treat
Review: I am just a Gringo with some buried Gitano genes who took a while watching the beginning of the movie on what was really going on. But then, I was went with the flow of emotion and passion that was emoted --and enjoyed it more rather than trying to analyze-- I had a hard time reading the credits and would like to know specifically where the filming was done in Southern Spain--Jerez area? What was the river? and the party boat looked like it was moored at seaside? Also, who sang the beautiful ballad/song at the end of the movie--very haunting

Rating:
Summary: Visual/Audio treat
Review: I am just a Gringo with some buried Gitano genes who took a while watching the beginning of the movie on what was really going on. But then, I was went with the flow of emotion and passion that was emoted --and enjoyed it more rather than trying to analyze-- I had a hard time reading the credits and would like to know specifically where the filming was done in Southern Spain--Jerez area? What was the river? and the party boat looked like it was moored at seaside? Also, who sang the beautiful ballad/song at the end of the movie--very haunting

Rating:
Summary: El sur de España y los gitanos que sufren.
Review: I found this film to be disappointing. Yes, the music and flamenco dancing is wonderful. But as I am enduring this film I can't help but think that the director used every possible moment to "shove" some sort of dancing or singing into the story line which in and of itself needed a lot of work.
I love the culture from Spain and just about all it has to offer. A pattern I seem to notice with the many films Spain produces is that taboo issues are brought to the service. For example in this film, the nephew is mentally disabled. I don't know if in real life this actor is or not but how often do you see this in American films? Another example would be Pedro Almodóvar's film All About My Mother where several characters struggle with HIV, or Noriega's main role in Abre Los Ojos where a good looking man loses it all to being facially disfigured. My point is these films are art reflecting real life situations. A more realistic experience in my opinion make for a more enjoyable experience. Flamenco has some gorgeous cinematography, the acting was quite good, the story and how it flowed just needed a lot of polishing.