Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Octavio Calderon | ... | Self - Musician |
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Joachim Cooder | ... | Self |
Ry Cooder | ... | Self | |
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Angel Terry Domech | ... | Self |
Ibrahim Ferrer | ... | Self | |
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Ibrahim Ferrer Jr. | ... | Self |
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Manuel Galbán | ... | Self - Musician |
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Hugo Garzón | ... | Self |
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Carlos Gonzalez | ... | Self |
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Juan de Marcos González | ... | Self |
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Rubén González | ... | Self |
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Pío Leyva | ... | Self |
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Manuel 'Puntillita' Licea | ... | Self |
Orlando 'Cachaíto' López | ... | Self | |
Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal | ... | Self |
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. Written by George S. Davis
When I rented Buena Vista Social Club I didn't have any appreciation for the type of music played by the Club; I still don't know what it's called. I rented the movie because I'm a Ry Cooder fan, and have seen some Wim Wenders' movies I liked. I wasn't expecting much, but the result is that I've just seen one of the best documentaries in my life. The premise is very simple, it's all about the old musicians and the wonderful music they make. You get to visit their modest homes, hang out in their neighborhoods, and listen to their music. Nothing more than that, but done so well, so effortlessly, you wish you could step through the screen and join them. I would recommend this film to anyone.