Buena Vista Social Club (1998)

About Buena Vista Social Club

"Buena Vista Social Club" is a documentary by Wim Wenders that focuses on the amazing musical performances of a group of talented, older Cuban musicians. The film captures the vitality of these musicians, giving them the recognition they deserve after decades of being overlooked during Cuba's post-revolution period. With Ry Cooder as music director, these musicians rediscover their capabilities and share their beautiful music - a blend of Latin jazz, son, bolero and other traditional Cuban music styles - with the world.

Making / Production

The "Buena Vista Social Club" documentary resulted from a scrapped collaboration between Ry Cooder and musicians from Mali, who due to visa problems, could not travel to Havana. As a result, the American guitarist collaborated with Cuban musicians brought together by Juan de Marcos González, rekindling an old musical ensemble that showcased the richness of traditional Cuban music. This unexpected blend of music and story was filmed by Wim Wenders over a period of two weeks.

Actors

• Ry Cooder: He was the Music Director and played himself in the film. His interactions with the musicians brought a warmth and familiarity to the audience.
• Compay Segundo: A Cuban musician who played himself, he was vital to the performances that made the documentary resonate with audiences globally.
• Rubén González: Known for his unique piano style, González carried the rhythm and tempo of the performances seen in the documentary.
• Omara Portuondo: Featured as herself, her performance in "Buena Vista Social Club" reintroduced her vocal talent to the world.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The documentary was named after a members’ club in Havana that held dances and musical activities, becoming hugely popular during the 1940s.
• Most of the musicians in the film had been retired for many years before the documentary led to a revival of their careers.
• Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa are the only two original members who are still alive.

Awards

The documentary was critically well received and won multiple awards, including the Best Documentary Feature at the European Film Awards and the Audience Award for Best Foreign Documentary at the São Paulo International Film Festival. It was also nominated for the Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.

Quotes

• "I'm going to die with the rhythm in my hands."
• "Every Cuban is born with music."
• "In Cuba, music flows like a river."

Music, Soundtrack

• "Chan Chan" - by Compay Segundo
• "El Cuarto de Tula" - sung by Eliades Ochoa with Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo
• "Buena Vista Social Club" - by Rubén González
• "Dos Gardenias" - sung by Ibrahim Ferrer