Flamenco, Flamenco

For decades, Carlos Saura (Blood Wedding, Carmen) has been making rapturous films highlighting his passion for the music and dance traditions (particularly flamenco) of his native Spain. Flamenco, Flamenco—a sequel of sorts to the director's 1995 Flamenco--pulls out all the stops, serving up a gorgeous and mysterious work of cinematic magic, theatrical effects, and rich emotion expressed in song and movement. Using a concept involving layered rows of dance-themed paintings that inspire moody staging, Saura creates a series of atmospheric tableaux against which musicians and dancers perform with feverish intensity. Opening with a plaintive rumba, the film continues with an unbroken succession of numbers that are alternately erotic, humbling, inspiring, and suggestive of different eras in Spain's history. Highlights include dancer Eva Yerbabuena's performance of “Soléa” featuring background light that slowly shifts from dawn to night sky, and six women dancers garbed as monks dancing to José Enrique de la Vega's “Oración a la Virgen Macarena.” Beautifully filmed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a “making-of” featurette, a “Painting on the Screen” interview with director Carlos Saura, and “The Faces of Flamenco” behind-the-scenes documentary (32 min.). Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning performance doc.] (T. Keogh)