Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
Buena Vista Social Club
”Legendary Cuban musicians record Grammy-winning CD in Havana”
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Plot summary
In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group’s gigs in Amsterdam and New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music – but also the musicians’ life stories.
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From the same director
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word
Directed by Wim Wenders ('Paris, Texas' and 'The Salt of the Earth'), this documentary brings a glimpse into the life and work of Pope Francis, in an unprecedented access to the pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church. One of the great merits of the production is to leave aside whether or not the viewer believes in religion - what matters here is what Argentine Jorge Mario Bergolio believes in and how he uses his faith and his importance as a world leader to impact people's lives, promoting change in the world and bringing a message of peace, love and brotherhood. Watch regardless of your belief and with an open heart to the needs of others and to the messages of the pope.
The Salt of the Earth
A great work of appreciation of the Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, who is one of the most prestigious in the world. On the one hand, the movie is educational and with beautiful images, but on the other it leaves us uncomfortable with the horrors of humanity.
Paris, Texas
Directed by Wim Wenders, one of the most prominent authors of the New German Cinema of the second half of the 20th century, 'Paris, Texas' is considered one of his best films, a road movie with a western flavor, but with the heart in a family tragedy and a story of redemption. Winner of the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1984 (among many other international awards), it is a story that begins as a mystery in the desert landscapes of the United States (beautifully photographed and almost idealized by Robby Müller), and that gradually reveals the tragic past of its protagonist, masterfully interpreted by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton ('Alien: The Eighth Passenger'). A bittersweet film about the longing for a past that no longer exists and the search for connection with loved ones despite the enormous physical and emotional distances between them. The peep-show scene, with Nastassja Kinski dressed in pink, is one of the most famous and exciting in the history of cinema, making 'Paris, Texas' a must-stop for cinephiles.
Submergence
Directed by the famous German filmmaker Wim Wenders ('Wings of Desire', 'Paris, Texas', 'The Salt of the Earth'), 'Submergence' is a beautiful and modest contemplation on love, which can be an oasis in the darkest moments of life. Although the movie has the slow pace to which Wenders is accustomed, the performances of James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander keep the intensity.
Perfect Days
More known for his documentaries than his fiction films, German filmmaker Wim Wenders returns with a seemingly small but profound drama in its questions and emotion. "Perfect Days" is the story of Hirayama (Kōji Yakusho), a janitor employed by The Tokyo Toilet who spends his days in a peaceful routine of cleaning bathrooms, eating quietly, taking care of his plants, reading, and sleeping, day after day, always alone. Through his handling of time and the almost ritualistic repetition of this routine, Wenders shows us, on one hand, an ascetic and seemingly desirable existence but also prompts us to question the price of this lifestyle - and the reasons that could have led his character to it.
Documentary
Apollo 13: Survival
The classic Ron Howard drama with Tom Hanks, Apollo 13, tells a true story about a failed space mission in such a thrilling way that it begs the question of what was real and what was artistic license. The documentary Apollo 13: Survival reveals recordings that suggest much of it happened just as portrayed. However, what stands out here is BAFTA-nominated director Peter Middleton’s (The Real Charlie Chaplin) mastery in taking archival material and not only weaving it into an exciting narrative but also making it chillingly realistic and urgent. It might even be the superior film on the subject.
Untold: Hope Solo vs. U.S. Soccer
Untold: Hope Solo vs. U.S. Soccer is another documentary in the Untold series, which covers scandals and shocking stories in sports. This time, the focus is on American goalkeeper Hope Solo, one of the best in her position, but who faced tensions with fans and conflicts with teammates. In this film, she herself talks about this complex story full of ups and downs.
Yūrei
The little-known story of Japanese Mexicans and the enduring impact of historical silence on their descendants is depicted through testimonies and exploration of landscape and choreography. How are invisible wounds healed?
