Buena Vista Social Club

Name: Buena Vista Social Club
Genre: Documentary, Music
Released: 1999
Cast: Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa, Ry Cooder, Joachim Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer

1999 · 1h45 · Film

Directed by Wim Wenders

Starring Compay Segundo, Eliades Ochoa, Ry Cooder, Joachim Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Rubén González, Orlando 'Cachaíto' López, Amadito Valdés, Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal

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In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group's gigs in Amsterdam and New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music -- but also the musicians' life stories.

Updated July 22, 2026