Buena Vista Social Club

Wim Wenders’ documentary Buena Vista Social Club is about the adventures of Ry Cooder in Cuba. Cooder, best remembered by film fans for the wailing slide guitar theme of Wenders’ Paris, Texas, went to Cuba in 1996 to meet with some legendary ‘soneros’ musicians of the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s. The result was the album Buena Vista Social Club, recorded with such colorful characters as the 90-year-old singer/guitarist Compay Segundo, guitarist Eliades Ochoa, baritone Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo, “the Cuban Edith Piaf.” The album won a Grammy, and in this refreshing documentary, Wim Wenders shows these exceptional musicians in their hometown, following them into their usual hang-outs — the cafes, clubs and even living rooms — as well as to concerts in Amsterdam and New York’s Carnegie Hall, capturing their incredible vitality. “In Cuba, music flows like a river,” according to Ry Cooder, who adds “Music is like a treasure hunt; you dig and dig and sometimes find something.” Pursuing this metaphor, Wenders wanted to make a film that would “just float on this river … not interfering with it, just drifting along.” The result is a film full of vitality and positive energy, which is also an absolute delight to musical ears., Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated documentary features some of Cuba’s finest musicians, all of them the wrong side of 60, brought together by RY Cooder for a now-legendary concert at Carnegie Hall., Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated documentary features some of Cuba’s finest musicians, all of them the wrong side of 60, brought together by RY Cooder for a now-legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. As well as showcasing the talents of Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer and Olmara Portuondo, the film catches them in their native Havana, capturing their spirit as well as their purely brilliant musicianship. In English and Spanish with subtitles., A documentary following Ry Cooder’s attempt at bringing together retired Cuban musicians. Following Castro’s takeover of Cuba, the aging performers had been forgotten but are persuaded to take up their instruments once more., Wim Wenders directed this profile of the Cuban all-star band Buena Vista Social Club, led by guitarist Ry Cooder. The musicians are captured performing in concerts in Amsterdam and New York City, and discussing the Havana music scene of the 1950s., Wim Wenders Oscar-nominated documentary features some of Cuba’s finest musicians, all of them the wrong side of 60, brought together by Ry Cooder for a now-legendary concert at Carnegie Hall. As well as showcasing the talents of Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer and Olmara Portuondo, the film catches them in their native Havana, capturing their spirit as well as their purely brilliant musicianship., Wim Wenders’ Oscar-nominated documentary features some of Cuba’s finest musicians. Showcasing the talents of Ruben Gonzalez, Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer and Olmara Portuondo, the film travels to their native Havana, capturing their indomitable spirit as well as their brilliant musicianship. In English and Spanish.