Mercedes Sosa: The Voice of Latin America

A sense of hagiography pervades Rodrigo H. Vila's documentary profile of Mercedes Sosa (1935-2009), an Argentine singer who became a voice of popular protest during the 1960s and '70s, but endured death threats and exile as a result. Vila serves up a mixture of archival footage, interviews with friends and family (conducted by Sosa's son Fabian), excerpts from recorded recollections by Sosa herself, and observations from many of her colleagues and admirers (including David Byrne). Essentially a straightforward chronological narrative, the film begins with Sosa's penurious childhood, continuing up through her unexpected victory in a singing contest at the age of 15, and her subsequent emergence as a primary exponent of the politically charged nueva canción (literally, “new song”), which earned her the enmity of the military junta that came to power in 1976 and led to her flight to Europe, where she would gain a considerable following. The last section records her return as a hero in 1982 and the serious depression that marked her final years, which she poignantly speaks about in a lengthy interview. As a whole, the documentary paints a moving personal portrait, but ultimately fails to provide a coherent picture of the surrounding political context. Most impressive here are the numerous excerpts from Sosa's concerts and recordings, which show off her powerful, passionate voice to perfection (fans will especially appreciate a previously unknown private duet with Ástor Piazzolla). A decent account of a remarkable woman, but one that could have been better, this is a strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)