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Movies / On DVD / Calle 54
Calle 54

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Calle 54 (2001)

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Reviews Counted: 48

Fresh: 42

Rotten:6

Average Rating: 7.2/10

Consensus: A loving tribute to Latin Jazz artists where music does the talking.

Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins

Genre: Musical & Performing Arts

Theatrical Release:Oct 20, 2000 Limited

Synopsis: From acclaimed Academy Award winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque"), comes a journey of the senses that crosses four continents in search of the heart and soul of Latino culture. Using... From acclaimed Academy Award winning director Fernando Trueba ("Belle Epoque"), comes a journey of the senses that crosses four continents in search of the heart and soul of Latino culture. Using the worldwide phenomenon of Latino music as its entrée, Trueba seeks out the heroes of this culture and reveals how their music has become a vehicle for protest, storytelling, sexuality, and most of all, the sheer joyful celebration of life.

Turning his film into an innovative tapestry of sound and imagery, Trueba mixes "snapshots" of Latino music's legendary masters (captured in digital video) with intimate in-studio live performances photographed by a battery of five 35 mm cameras and a Steadicam in a style that matches the mood and story of each song.

Among the cultural heroes whose stories and artistry he brings to the fore are: the godfather of Latino music, Tito Puente; cutting edge nuyorican Jerry Gonzáles who mixes his Puerto Rican roots with his New York street experience; Spaniard Chano Domínguez who married the clicking-heel spirit of Flamenco with jazz; barefoot Brazilian pianist Eliane Elías; Chico O'Farrill, a major architect of the Afro-Cuban movement; Cachao, the elder statesman of the acoustic bass brought out of near-obscurity by Andy Garcia; the pianists Bebo Valdes and his son Chucho Valdés, reunited for a live duet; the Argentinean tenor sax Gato Barbieri, Grammy winner for the "Last Tango in Paris" soundtrack; Paquito D'Rivera, heir to Dizzy Gillespie's orchestra and according to Dizzy one of the musicians who plays true Latin Jazz, interpreting the music of all the Americas; Michel Camilo the freewheeling Latin jazz master of the Dominican Republic; rumba authority and Santeria priest Orlando "Puntilla" Ríos; and more.

CALLE 54 will feature performances of new material never before recorded. But the film isn't only about the music, it's about the beats of the heart behind the music and what it inspires in people around the world. -- © 2001 Miramax [More]

Starring: Chucho Valdes, Gato Barbieri, Tito Puente, Eliane Elias

Starring: Chucho Valdes, Gato Barbieri, Tito Puente, Eliane Elias, Chico O'Farrill, Michel Camilo, Paquito D'Rivera, Bebo Valdes, Chano Dominguez, Israel Lopez, Orlando "Puntilla" Rios, Carlos "Patato" Valdes, Andy Gonzalez, Marc Johnson, Mario Rivera, Dave Samuels, Dave Valentin, Giovanni Hidalgo, Hilton Ruiz, Horacio Hernandez, Milton Cardona, Steve Berrios

Director: Fernando Trueba

Director: Fernando Trueba
Screenwriter: Fernando Trueba
Producer: Fabienne Servan Schreiber, Fernando Trueba, Rosa Bosch
Studio: Miramax Films

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 13, 2001

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Calle 54
  • Acclaimed as one of the very best motion pictures ever made about music, the vibrant CALLE 54 offers an incredible behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of Grammy Award-winner Tito Puente and some of the greatest Latin jazz artists of our time! Whether it's created in hot backstreet clubs or recording studios from Miami to Havana, the Bronx to Andalusia, the pulsating sounds of Latin Jazz capture the heart and soul of an entire culture! Showcased in a series of extraordinary performances, Latin legends use their immense musical talents to weave an innovative tapestry of sound, style, and rhythm that becomes a passionate celebration of life! From the director of the Academy Award(R)-winning BELLE EPOCH (Best Foreign Language Film, 1993) -- featured artists include the late "godfather of Latin music," Tito Puente, barefoot Brazilian pianist Eliane Elias, Argentinean tenor sax great Gato Barbieri, Paquito D'Rivera, and many more you don't want to miss!
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for Calle 54

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    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    06/06/08
    David Stratton
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    07/21/05
    Emanuel Levy
    EmanuelLevy.Com

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    04/22/05
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    08/21/04
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    You can find half a dozen things to complain about and yet enjoy every minute of the film completely.

    Full Review Source: Offoffoff | comment Comment
    03/11/03
    Joshua Tanzer
    Offoffoff

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    Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
    03/10/03
    Marrit Ingman
    Austin Chronicle
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: San Diego Metropolitan | comment Comment
    10/21/02
    Jean Lowerison
    San Diego Metropolitan

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
    10/10/02
    Mark Halverson
    Sacramento News & Review
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    08/17/02
    Urban Cinefile Critics
    Urban Cinefile
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
    08/09/02
    Robert Denerstein
    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    N/R

    Trueba's film captures the flavors of Latin jazz.

    Full Review Source: Baseline.Hollywood.com | comment Comment
    12/04/01
    Ted Murphy
    Baseline.Hollywood.com

    A festive experience for those who are willing to embrace Latin jazz, but it doesn't reveal anything beyond a peek at a two hour celluloid concert in session.

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    11/05/01
    Frank Ochieng
    Filmcritic.com

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
    11/04/01
    Frank Ochieng
    Filmcritic.com

    Calle 54 could make you feel hot, nostalgic and possessive about this music.

    Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
    10/08/01
    David Elliott
    San Diego Union-Tribune

    For much of its 105 minutes, it simply sizzles with sophisticated passion.

    Full Review Source: Ottawa Citizen | comment Comment
    08/03/01
    Doug Fischer
    Ottawa Citizen
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
    08/02/01
    Jason Anderson
    eye WEEKLY

    There is much to be said for a music film that seems to be playing directly to us, the viewers.

    Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
    07/27/01
    Joe Baltake
    Sacramento Bee

    The music at times seems to hover above its roots and appears detached from the characters ... creating it.

    Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
    07/20/01
    Mike Bell
    Jam! Movies

    An audio-visual delight of a documentary.

    Full Review Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle | comment Comment
    07/20/01
    Jack Garner
    Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

    As much a thrill to watch as it is to listen to, a rare combination for a concert film.

    Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
    07/18/01
    Peter Howell
    Toronto Star
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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