Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
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.
Wim Wenders' documentary is a singular, deeply felt portrait of Cuban musical legends whose art had been largely forgotten by the world. The cinematography is luminous — Wenders brings his painter's eye to Havana's crumbling grandeur and the intimate faces of elderly masters, creating images that resonate beyond pure documentation. The novelty is high: the combination of Ry Cooder's cross-cultural excavation, Wenders' lyrical visual sensibility, and the extraordinary personalities of musicians like Ibrahim Ferrer and Compay Segundo makes this utterly one-of-a-kind. The 'plot' is loose by design — more a flowing celebration than a structured narrative — which limits its score but suits the material. The Carnegie Hall finale is emotionally satisfying but not dramatically surprising, landing as a warm rather than revelatory conclusion.