Ruth Leon recommends… Flamenco Carmen

Flamenco Carmen – Flamenco

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I believe this to  be one of the most exciting dance productions ever filmed. Created by choreographer Antonio Gades in collaboration with director Carlos Saura, this matchless production shows how the explosive power and intensity of feeling in traditional Spanish flamenco can bring vividly to life the sultry passion, earthy emotion, love and rivalry that is Carmen. Yes, Bizet is here too, but much of the extraordinary energy is created by the pulsating guitars, the ululating voices, and the insistent heel stamps of the dancers.

Vanesa Vento lives and breathes Carmen, emphasizing the many faces of this character, female, passionate and freedom fighter, but fickle in love as she shamelessly flirts with men she likes, inspiring desire, rivalry and jealousy amongst both the men and other women. But Carmen’s gypsy wildness becomes her own downfall when she discards Don José’s love for that of the bullfighter, as, possessed by a piercing despair, Don José kills her.

You may not, if you have never before spent any time with the art of flamenco, know these remarkable artists but every one of them is worth getting to know. Carmen stars Juan Antonio, Zafra Moreno, Ricardo Friere Gonzalez, Vanesa Vento, Angel Gil, Joaquin Mulero, and Jairo Rodriguez.

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