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Poster for Chavela

Chavela

Seen it?

2017 | 93 min | Documentary

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It earned strong reviews (95% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had almost no lasting buzz and soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who likes a story with a soundtrack worth keeping and people who'll be looking things up afterwards. The music is woven into the story, not just laid on top. Based on real events, so expect to go down a research rabbit hole afterwards.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Well paced for a documentary, at 1 hr 33 min.
What might put you off
Skip it if you want made-up drama tonight.

Inspired by an exclusive interview and performance footage of Chavela Vargas shot in 1991 and guided by her unique voice, the film weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsStrong

    95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 2K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Catherine Gund, Daresha Kyi

  • Chavela VargasSelf (archive footage)
  • Pedro AlmodóvarSelf
  • Miguel BoséSelf
  • MartirioSelf
  • Laura García LorcaSelf
  • Eugenia LeónSelf
  • Jesusa RodríguezSelf
  • Tania LibertadSelf
  • Marcela RodríguezSelf
  • José Alfredo Jimenez Jr.Self