Friday, July 1, 2016

Argentina: is more than Tango in a Carlos Saura Documentary

By José Alberto Hermosillo

“Argentina” is an exquisite, delightful documentary, marked by great artistry and beauty.

The magical journey to the South American country approaches us through its music, rhythms, dance, and folklore. It is an extraordinary voyage that begins with the enlightenment of “The Muleteers/Los muleteros,” who, with their mules and horses, worked in the Andean region, spreading those rhythms.



Influenced by Africa, Italy, Poland, Brazil, and Los Andes, Argentine music encompasses many styles and rhythms, including samba, samba alegre, vidala, chacarera, malambos, valsecitos, coplas, and folkloric.

 

The film's spectacular theatrical staging showcases those dances through excellent choreography.

 

In dance, the classic valet steps are infused with modern jazz and set within Argentinean folklore.



Los Chalchaleros performed the most affecting traditional songs in their original and/or contemporary versions.


“Argentina” features some of the most popular folk singers, including Mercedes SosaEl Chaqueño PalavecinoSoledad Pastorutti (“La Sole”), Liliana HerreroLuis SalinasJaime TorresJairo, and the folk group Metabombo.

 

The dancers include Ballet Nuevo Arte Nativo de Koki and Pajarín Saavedra.

 

In the film, it is beautiful to see a younger generation pay a heartfelt tribute to Mercedes Sosa, one of the world’s most significant promoters of Argentine music, with one of her greatest hits, “Changes, Everything Changes/Cambia, todo Cambia.”  



The Malambo tableaux are epic!


The legendary Spanish director Carlos Saura, known for Cría Cuervos” (1976) and “Ay Carmela” (1990), among other magnificent films, delivers his fifth musical work: “Carmen,” “Flamenco,” “Tango,” “Fados,” and now “Argentina.”

 

Saura’s cinematic vision continues to explore the telluric connection between song and soul, music and movement, color and shape.

 

In “Argentina,” the accomplished Spanish director translates music, dance, and movement into a cinematic feast of color and energy.

 

“Argentina” is passion, “Argentina” es amor, "Argentina" es mucho corazón.


ARGENTINA TRAILER

Related Articles:

25 Great Foreign Films that Did Not Get Distribution in US Theaters

Cezanne and I: An Extraordinary Journey of Art and Friendship

Elle: The New “Basic Instinct” with a “French Twist”

My Life as a Zucchini: The Beautiful Animated Life of a Little Swiss Boy

Neruda: Runaway Poet

Colossal: Not Your Typical “Godzilla” Movie

MEXICO’S “THE NIGHT GUARD” WINS LA FILM FESTIVAL

15 Must-See French Films at COLCOA 2017

10 The Best Latino Performances of 2016 And Their Absence From The Nominations

Copyright © Festival in LA, 2016

1 comment:

  1. This is truly a great read for me. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Coming on hot game sims 4 cheats and choose a type of house for your sims

    ReplyDelete