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Flamenco Project: Films
| FLAMENCOLOGÍA | FLAMENCO: A PERSONAL JOURNEY |
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| FLAMENCOLOGÍA A film by Daniel Seymour In 1968 and again in 1970 Danny Seymour visited Spain and immediately found himself, by association, immersed in the normally difficult to access world of his sister's flamenco friends. Rosa van Kirk had been deeply involved in the flamenco scene for years, and when Danny arrived the scene was already set for him to photograph and film. Flamencología is a compilation of filmed sequences in which Danny applied his tough cinematic style and New York streetwise sensibility to the intimate and elusive environment of pueblo flamenco that his sister inhabited. The film is 17 + minutes of respectful documentation of performance and discussion, intimate, full-frame portraits, hand held reportage and what might be called hand-to-hand combat or dancing with wolves. At times his style segues from taking in the whole scene of a fiesta with 30 people to being one of the players, all in the same shot. A mix of b/w and color 16mm film Flamencología reveals the clandestine world of flamenco with the curtains pulled back. I'm not sure Danny knew the significance of these recordings or the stature of the artists. Whether recording charismatic Diego del Gastor playing the Marseilles (illegal in Franco's time) or Juan Telaga delivering a powerful martinette, he was certainly drawn into the raw emotional landscape that he was privileged not only to witness, but to film as well. Flamencología disappeared from view after Danny's untimely death and became something of a cult classic in abstentia and the holy grail of enthusiasts of the Morón style of flamenco. It resurfaced in Peru in the possession of Danny's longtime friend and co-producer Paco Grande who has given permission for the film to be presented as part of the Flamenco Project's collection. With the generous support of the cultural foundation Cajasol | Obra Social we are able to present the first professionally digitized version of the original film. Flamencología Run time: approximately 17 minutes Location: Morón de la Frontera, 1970 B/W and Color Performers (in order of appearance): * Francisco Molina * Diego del Gastor * Rafael el Gordo * Miguel Funi * Luis Torres "Joselero" * La Chica * Andorrano * Juan Talega |
FLAMENCO: A PERSONAL JOURNEY A film by Tao Ruspoli Tao Ruspoli, in his film Flamenco: A personal Journey, takes his audience into the heart of the gypsy culture in Andalusia, Spain, in a personal exploration of the way of life that is flamenco. This film provides an unprecedented look at the intimate gatherings in which traditional flamenco is performed. Over a two-year period, Ruspoli documented his arrival in Spain, his gradual befriending of some of SpainÕs great flamenco singers, dancers and guitar players, and his immersion into this extraordinary culture. Voice-overs by Ruspoli explain his understanding of the art itself and the feelings that it evokes in him. The flamenco artists allowed him to video tape not only some marvelous performances, but they showed him and the camera that the art of flamenco is the outward expression of a unique philosophy and way of life. He takes you through private guitar and dance lessons, festivals, the friendships he makes, interviews with artists, and colorful, lively scenes of performances, commentary and arguments amongst the gypsies themselves. After events such as engagement parties and communion celebrations, Ruspoli reveals the future of flamenco through lively discussions with both older and younger artists. Flamenco: un viaje personal En su película "Flamenco: un viaje personal", el cineasta contemporáneo Tao Ruspoli lleva a su público al corazón de la cultura gitana española, explorando ese modo de vida que es el flamenco. La película ofrece una visión sin precedentes de las reuniones íntimas donde se ve el flamenco auténtico. Durante un periodo de cuatro años, Ruspoli documentó su llegada a España, la manera en que, gradualmente, hizo amistad con algunos de los más grandes cantaores, bailaores y guitarristas flamencos y su inmersión y aceptación dentro de esa extraordinaria cultura. Las voces superpuestas de Ruspoli explican su comprensi—n del arte en sí y los sentimientos que provoca en él. Los artistas no sólo le dejaron grabar unas actuaciones maravillosas sino que también le enseñaron, a él y a su cámara, que el arte del flamenco es la expresión vibrante y creadora de una filosofía y forma de vida únicas. Ruspoli lo lleva a uno por clases privadas de guitarra y baile, por festivales, y a través de las amistades que va haciendo y las entrevistas que va realizando, conducióndole igualmente por animadas escenas de actuaciones, de gran colorido, y a través de charlas y discusiones entre los propios gitanos. Después de reuniones sociales como fiestas de compromiso o bautizos, Ruspoli revela el futuro del flamenco a través de conversaciones animadas con los artistas, tanto mayores como jóvenes. Flamenco: A Personal Journey Run time: 90 minutes Location: Sevilla y Jerez de la Frontera, 1998-2002 Color Performers (in order of appearence): * Martin Chico Revuelo, guitarra * Juan Camas, palmas and cante * Juan Del Gastor, guitarra, cante y baile * Luis Peña, baile * Paco Valdepeñas, cante y baile * Raul "el Perla", guitarra * Luis Agujetas, cante * Manuel Brenes Hijo, guitarra * Gaspar de Perrate, habla * Paco Agujetas, cante * Manuel Mairena, cante * Niño Carrion, guitarra * Luis de la Pica, cante y baile * Capullo de Jerez, cante * Pepa de Benito, cante y baile * Concha Vargas, baile * Carmen Ledesma, baile * Antonio Moya, guitarra * Gaspar de Utrera, cante * Pitin de Utrera, guitarra |