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Review of Buena Vista Social Club

 Buena Vista Social Club is a 1999 documentary film directed by Wim Wenders about the music of Cuba. It is named for a danzón that became the title piece of the album Buena Vista Social Club. The film is an international co-production of Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Cuba.



This film can be seen again and again without tiring of the music or the performances.

Set in New York and the splendidly beautiful but decaying capital city of Cuba, there is a search for the old materful musicians of traditional cuban music. We watch with awe as these old virtuoso guys and gals take the stage and reveal their backgrounds. Their music is infectious.

However there is a slight suggestion of American propogranda as after shipping all these people to New York to play at Carnegie Hall, we are left wondering whether this is a result of American Music producers money and know how, One of the musicians is heard to say on a walkabout in NY nightlife, how beautiful it is. ( Apart from NY violence of course, they are not shown the precincts.)

Released in 1998, the philosophy of one Cuban man is close to superstition, and we are told about his hardship in Cuba and not the benefits.  I was left wondering now after seeing this for the second time and seeing it when it was originally released, what now is the impact of Obhama's release of embargos.  I suspect there are plusses but also some minuses.

Whatever ones political pursuasion, this film gives rise to questions as well as pleasure.

Review of the film "Lore"

Lore is a 2012 Australian-German-British historical drama art film based on Rachel Seiffert's much awarded novel The Dark Room, with the screenplay written by British screenwriter Robin Mukherjee and the film's director, Cate Shortland.

This beautifully crafted film features the traumatic experience of a teenage girl with four siblings who is the daughter of an SS officer. Set in Germany in the aftermath of WW2, the aftermath of defeat oof Hitler is explored as the allies divide Germany into segments.

Trying to reach a long lost relative, takes Lore on a Physicaljourney, but also a psychological journey from her indoctrination as part of Hitler Youth, through to rejection of all those family truths that she holds dear.

The contrast between the artistic cinematography and the harshness of the reality of war torn Germany is a virtuosa by Australian director Cate  Shortland  .  the film was not without its own traumas of being produced being adapted from the novel "The Dark Room" .

The story has many levels, coming of age, first love and romance through to anti war themes.

Released in 2012, it won

It is a recommended but difficult view for any film society to put on their veiwing schedule. Well worth the effort.