Cuban music is back for encore

Compay Segundo of the Cuban music group Buena Vista Social Club said, “I am 90 years old but still trying to have my sixth baby” in the documentary with the same title as his group. The singer and songwriter died last July, but his fans can still see him cracking into a smile on the big screen.
Cine Cube, an arthouse theater in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, is having a special screening of the film from next Tuesday to Oct. 9. The first opening of the film was in 2000. If you put “Buena Vista Social Club” on your turntable last July in remembrance of the passionate Cuban musician, you cannot miss this opportunity.
The screening accompanies the visit of another Buena Vista vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer, who will be in Seoul to perform on Oct. 3 and 4. Ferrer, whose previous concert in Seoul was a smash, is to perform more than 15 songs from his repertoire with his band. Both Segundo and Ferrer had been forgotten to the world before Ry Cooder, an American musician, came to Havana to discover the whereabouts of the legendary Cuban musicians.
After finding Segundo as a barber and Ferrer as a shoe-shiner in back alleys of Havana, Cooder successfully produced the classic “Buena Vista Social Club” album.
Wim Wenders, German-born director and close friend of Cooder, accompanied him on the journey and filmed the whole process. The film sums up the interviews and live performances of the group in a true-to-life documentary style.
The Cuban music easily transcended borders with its exotic combination of guitar, piano and percussion harmonizing with vocals of the experienced musicians. Both the film and the album became worldwide hits, with Korea included.
Kim Sang-a, an organizer of the screening, said, “We have received a number of continued notes from viewers, asking for the film.” Ms. Kim arranged six screenings a day from Tuesday with a ticket price of 7,000 won (about $6). Viewers can also buy the film on DVD or a copy of the album at the theater.

by Chun Su-jin

You can reach Cine Cube by taking subway line No. 5, getting off at Seodaemun station and using exit No. 6. For more information on the screening, visit the Web site at www.cinecube.net or call (02) 2002-7770. Check out www.lgart.com for information on the performance and tickets.