Review of Buena Vista Social Club (1999) by Daniel P — 18 Feb 2012

Though I'm not sure Wim Wenders was needed to direct it - I think it was done on handhelds - the subject matter alone is enough to make this documentary interesting. On his producer's whim, Ry Cooder heads for Havana to play some Cuban folk music with some local and some African players.

.. except, the Africans never show up. Almost by accident, he links up with one legend after another, many of whom have long ago quit playing music, and he records the sessions, taking the band all the way to Carnegie Hall.

Interesting window into a musician's life, Cuban life, and a Cuban musician's life. It's a great and valuable historical document... and, oh yeah, the music's pretty good, too.