Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi’s enthusiastic, plainspoken “Chavela” dissects the life and career of Cost Rica-born performer Chavela Vargas, a passionate interpreter of Mexican popular music who rose from the ashes of decades of alcoholism and flailing longings to come out, become a muse to Pedro Almodóvar and to tour the world with her emphatic, stirring style of ranchera performance. The stories from the bright lights and brought forth from the shadows are captivating, even if the tone of the film itself tends to the lugubrious. Vargas’ charisma alternates with empathetic assessments of her failings. 93m. (Ray Pride)
“Chavela” opens Friday, October 20 at the Music Box.
Film Leaders of the Moment: Music Box Theatre and Music Box Films The Music Box Theatre on Southport has endured for going on ninety-four years. I'm talking with Bill Schopf, Lisa Holmes, Brian Andreotti and Ryan Oestreich. We're all gathered at Music Box Films, the sister distribution company to the venerable theater.
