 |  | A televisual feast for the eyes and ears |  |
This film does not have a storyline. It is simply an assembly of dancers, singers and guitarists performing. All very talented and beautifully filmed. It creates a special atmosphere. I felt like watching it over again immediately after the first playing.
February 9, 2008This is an excellent view of the different styles of Flamenco and an excellent focus on the collaboration between the "bailaoras" and "cantaoras" of Andalusia. If you are looking for something that gives you the flavor and evokes the true spirit of falmenco...this is an excellent production. Ole!
October 19, 2007There is no story line or plot, as there usually is in Saura's other movies that involve dancing; dancers and singers in a flamenco studio just perform. There is way too much singing (and close-ups of people singing) of the painful, wailing and grimacing type and not enough joyful song. And there is not enough dancing!! What little dancing there is is a bit cool and a touch modern, as are the stark sets. I like authentic flamenco (I have seen wonderful performances by well-known dancers) and I usually like Carlos Saura, but the dancing in this movie is somewhat pretentious and unengaging. I fast-forwarded through most of the DVD. CVA
July 24, 2007| | | Flamenco - a film by Carlos Saura | |
The purest flamenco I have ever seen. I am familiar with this art from and this is NOT the garbage you see at tourist traps or even shows imported to tour the US. I most definitely recommend this DVD.
February 27, 2007| | | Good representation of various flamenco styles | |
Although the rich and diverse cultural phenomenon of flamenco is extremely difficult to embrace within the limited frame of a single movie, this work of Carlos Saura is a great job on representing its styles and forms. Yes, you need to have some basic understanding of flamenco to enjoy it - it is not meant for mass entertainment, but for those who are looking a little bit more deeply into this wonderful art form. And, yes, the core of flamenco is CANTE, not the dance, as unprepared spectator might expect. A lot of joy in recognizing the distinguished participant artists, (if you know them). I could only wish this film to be longer and even more diverse. Very recommended for serious flamenco aficionados, for everybody who wishes to get to know flamenco in depth, and in variety.
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BTW - Joaquin Cortes is a great 'bailarin', but not 'bailaor' in my view, and THE LEAST authentic flamenco dancer here; he has a solid ballet background but too distilled from the real flamenco puro. However, I can see that he represents the most "digestible" "flamenco-like" image for the spectators who have very superficial idea of this culture.
January 11, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(37 reviews)