Argentina [DVD]

Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura is best known on this side of the Atlantic for his 1980s flamenco trilogy 'Blood Wedding', 'Carmen' and 'El Amor Brujo'. The director has spent the latter part of his long career making dance films that balance engaged populism with a blithe disregard for the boundaries between real and surreal that he learned from his mentor, filmmaker Luis Bunuel. Argentina is a presented series of carefully choreographed music and dance sequences, traditional and modern, interspersed with stunning imagery from the countryside of Argentina all of which combine to weave a tapestry of Argentinean folk culture. Although the music and dance are clearly influenced by flamenco and tango there is still much traditional Argentinian music and dance that are unfamiliar to audiences elsewhere. As well as concert performances, there are glimpses of rehearsals, tune-ups and school classrooms.It is not Saura's best work perhaps, but still enormously enjoyable.

Loved this DVD. Brought back wonderful memories of parts of Argentina, my second most favourite country in the world.

I've watched every Saura film he ever made and am a big fan. This is the first time I have ever fast forwarded through a film. Although nicely shot I found it tedious and self indulgent. You have to be deep into obscure folk music to like this. I love many aspects of Argentina, but not this.

impeccable