Relations between the American and Cuban governments have been sour, to put it mildly, for several decades, and these political tensions have led to travel restrictions for many Cubans, despite the fact that the two countries are so close. Wim Wenders' wonderful award-winning 1999 documentary proves that music has the power to transcend political concerns and bring together the people of two nations. Buena Vista Social Club follows the great guitarist Ry Cooder as he travels to Cuba with his percussion playing son to team up with some of the country's most legendary singers and musicians. in an effort to bring them to the United States to record and album and put on a concert. The documentary interviews the musicians - many of whom are elderly, some into their nineties - and asks them how they became interested in music and what it means to their lives. It's a tender, loving evocation of people who live and breathe music all their lives, and their performances stand as a testament to the soul-enriching nature of the music of Cuba. Wenders shoots their practice sessions and concert performances with a style that is affectionate and lyrical in and of itself, with a graceful camera which captures their expressive faces as they sing and play their instruments. Cuba, too, is depicted beautifully, as Ry Cooder and the other musicians explore the streets and avenues of pastel-shaded colonial architecture around which the music was born.
