A towering figure in Mexican pop music, Chavela Vargas was both a myth and a cypher.
Date/Time: Oct 5 2017, 9:00 pm to 10:40 pm
Vancouver, Vancouver Playhouse | Event calendarCost: $15.00
Find tickets: here
In 2017, VIFF continues to expand the frame to create multi-experiential streams that include some of the best cinema from around the world fused with related talks and events in a unique Film+ model. VIFF audiences and creators have a chance to discover, discuss and connect more at one of North America's most accessible festivals, in one of the most beautiful cities on the planet.
With more than 300 films from 73 countries, VIFF 2016 audiences were treated to narratives and documentaries that entertained, informed, inspired and left viewers in awe of the filmmaking talent that exists here in Canada and from creators around the world. Look here for a list of
2016 award-winners. We can't wait to see what the 2017 Festival line-up!
Chavela
M/A/D | Music/Art/Design
A towering figure in Mexican pop music, Chavela Vargas was both a myth and a cypher. A singer who turned Rancheras into dark journeys of the soul, Vargas lived a hard life and each experience made her deep, coarse voice richer.
The documentary directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi is traditional in structure, but there is no need for narrative somersaults. Chavela provides all the fireworks you need: born to unloving parents in Costa Rica, the singer ran away to Mexico were she found fame, but also developed a severe case of alcoholism that destroyed her career and every relationship she had.
Chavela Vargas didn’t officially "come out" until very late, but never made much of an effort to hide her homosexuality. She was known for her masculine appearance, forward attitude and many lovers. The unexpected third act in the life of the songstress came courtesy of Pedro Almodóvar. When Chavela was broke and submerged in obscurity, the Spanish filmmaker found in her music the perfect score for his films and introduced her to a new generation of adoring fans.
Gund and Kyi use the devastatingly beautiful lyrics of Chavela’s songs to illustrate the stages of a life punctuated by heartbreak (in her words, "love is real, but fleeting"). It’s a fascinating story with a killer soundtrack to boot.
"Gund and Kyi load up on evocative photos and insightful interviews, though Gund’s own recordings are the most revelatory in demonstrating Chavela’s mix of confidence with injured pride and a flirtatious desire to control her own legend."—Jay Weissberg, Variety
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The Vancouver International Film Festival 2017 Events