Chavela

Name: Chavela
Genre: Biography, History, Music, Documentary
Released: October 4, 2017
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 68
Cast: Elena Benarroch, Eugenia León, Jose Alfredo Jimenez Jr., Laura García-Lorca, Liliana Felipe

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

See All

8.0

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.0	Your Score
8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Chavela (US Trailer)

Now Playing: Chavela (US Trailer)

Movie Details & Credits

Music Box Films | Release Date: October 4, 2017 | Not Rated

Starring: Elena Benarroch, Eugenia León, Jose Alfredo Jimenez Jr., Laura García-Lorca, Liliana Felipe, Mariana Gyalui, Miguel Bosé, Patria Jiménez Flores, Pedro Almodóvar, Tania Libertad

Summary: Through its lyrical structure, Chavela will take viewers on an evocative, thought-provoking journey through the iconoclastic life of game-changing artist Chavela Vargas. Centered around never before-seen interview footage of Chavela shot 20 years before her death in 2012, and guided by the stories in Chavela's songs, and the myths and talesThrough its lyrical structure, Chavela will take viewers on an evocative, thought-provoking journey through the iconoclastic life of game-changing artist Chavela Vargas. Centered around never before-seen interview footage of Chavela shot 20 years before her death in 2012, and guided by the stories in Chavela's songs, and the myths and tales others have told about her - as well as those she spread about herself - the film weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being.… Expand

Director: Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi

Genre(s): Biography, History, Music, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 93 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Claudia Puig

Oct 2, 2017

The captivating documentary Chavela, directed by Catherine Gund (“Born to Fly”) and Daresha Kyi, mesmerizes with its impressionistic blend of archival photos, musical performances, concert footage and candid interviews with the legendary singer herself, as well with her ardent friends like Pedro Almodóvar and former lovers. Read full review

Sheri Linden

Oct 5, 2017

Celebrating a great ranchera interpreter without sugarcoating her, this straightforward film honors her approach. Read full review

Brad Wheeler

Dec 7, 2017

The story is simply told: the rise, fall and comeback of a lesbian trailblazer and soul-crushed singer. Chavela the person is more fascinating than Chavela the film – a tequila-sunrise love letter to an unknown icon. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Nov 22, 2017

A well-chosen collection of friends and former lovers provides reminiscences that flesh out Chavela’s challenging personality. However, the documentary provides scant information about the challenges Chavela faced in her career. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

Oct 26, 2017

The result is a solid if conventional bio. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Nick Allen

Oct 5, 2017

The film is too ordinary to feel like it does her legacy complete artistic justice. Read full review

Ben Kenigsberg

Oct 3, 2017

Those looking to learn the basic outlines of the life of the singer Chavela Vargas could do worse than watch Chavela, but this plodding documentary from Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi rarely transcends simple biography Read full review

SEE ALL 9 REVIEWS

Write a Review

Negative:

User Reviews

alejandro970

Oct 25, 2020

Un seguimiento a la vida de una cantante que defendió hasta el último minuto de su vida su orientación sexual y por ello se volvería un estandarte dentro y fuera del ámbito artístico. Un documental que nunca está de sobra para ver y analizar.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 1 REVIEWS