Eight groups of new-generation musicians and dancers appear—each filmed in locations tied to their history. They perform twenty-two compositions of both new and traditional songs. The music is accompanied by informal conversations that allow us to get acquainted with the lives and thoughts of the musicians and dancers.
Dance holds an important place in the film, from the movements of non-professional young couples dancing with great skill, to the experienced steps of older couples who help us to see the differences and similarities between tangos of different eras. The dance scenes, filmed in great detail, capture the elegance and originality of their moves.
Buenos Aires is also integral to the film. Tango lives in its streets, in the way its residents walk, in people’s gestures and gazes—even in the waiter carrying a cup of coffee to a customer. Consequently, the film is shot entirely in its barrios, bars and streets.
This is a film about particulars. Because a face, a gesture, an expression can say more about a city than its tourist attractions, we shot 70 percent of the film in Super 16mm and the rest in digital format for later transfer to 35mm. The light is natural—what we found in each location. There are no voiceovers, only the spontaneous words of the artists themselves.
“Tango, A Strange Turn” is not only for those who know and love tango, but also for those who have yet to be captivated by its beauty and power.
Festivals:
Latin Beat
Virginia
Bangkok
Dance on Camera, New York
Habana, Cuba
