DVD Movie Rating for: Buena Vista Social Club

4 out of 5 stars

Movie Plot of: Buena Vista Social Club

A group of legendary Cuban musicians, some as old as their nineties, were brought together by Ry Cooder to record a CD. In this film, we see and hear some of the songs being recorded in Havana. There is also footage from concerts in Amsterdam and New York City's Carnegie Hall. In addition, many of the individual musicians talk about their lives in Cuba and about how they got started in music.

DVD Production Details of: Buena Vista Social Club

Director: Wim Wenders

Format: Color, Black & White, Closed-captioned

Studio: Artisan Entertainment

DVD Release Date: October 17, 2000
DVD Features:
Commentary by director Wim Wenders

Production notes

Theatrical trailer(s)

Additional concert footage available only on DVD

Musician Information

Widescreen anamorphic format

DVD Easter Eggs

Cast of the movie: Buena Vista Social Club

• Luis Barzaga .... Himself
• Joachim Cooder .... Himself
• Ry Cooder.... Himself
• Juan de Marcos González .... Himself
• Julio Alberto Fernández .... Himself
• Ibrahim Ferrer .... Himself
• Carlos González .... Himself
• Rubén González .... Himself
• Salvador Repilado Labrada .... Himself
• Pío Leyva .... Himself
• Manuel 'Puntillita' Licea .... Himself
• Orlando 'Cachaíto' López .... Himself
• Benito Suárez Magana .... Himself
• Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal .... Himself
• Eliades Ochoa .... Himself
• Omara Portuondo .... Herself
• Julienne Oviedo Sánchez .... Himself
• Compay Segundo .... Himself
• Barbarito Torres .... Himself
• Alberto 'Virgilio' Valdés .... Himself
• Amadito Valdés .... Himself
• Lázaro Villa .... Himself

Photo Gallery of the movie: Buena Vista Social Club

Click on one of the thumbnails to see the full size, high resolution photographs

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Reviews of the movie: Buena Vista Social Club

In 1996, composer, producer, and guitar legend Ry Cooder entered Egrem Studios in Havana 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 Grammy-winning international bestseller. When Cooder returned to Havana in 1998 to record a solo album by 72-year-old vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer, filmmaker Wim Wenders was on hand to document the occasion. Wenders splits the film between portraits of the performers, who tell their stories directly to the camera as they wander the streets and neighborhoods of Havana, and a celebration of the music heard in performance scenes in the studio, in their first concert in Amsterdam, and in their second and final concert at Carnegie Hall. The songs are too often cut short in this fashion, but Buena Vista Social Club is not a concert film. Wenders weaves the artist biographies with a glimpse of modern Cuba remembering its past, capturing a lost culture in music that is suddenly, unexpectedly revived for audiences in Havana and around the world. Wenders makes his presence practically invisible, as if his directorial flourishes or off-screen narration might deflect attention from the artists, who do a fine job of telling their own stories through interviews and music. It's a loving portrait of a master class in Cuban music, with a vital cast of aging performers whose energy and passion belie their years.

Spirit Defined
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 understanding for) these people through faith and belief, persevered and 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 magical yet very real place is given to us to explore in this film. I, along with many others, have an overwhelming urge to go to Cuba now and experience for myself.

If you have a chance to see any of these musicians live, DO SO! You will not be disappointed. If you do not, see this movie and get yourself a taste that will leave you breathless for more.