We shot this documentary in southern Spain's "cradle of flamenco," in and near the city of Jerez de la Frontera. Our associate director, a well-known singer from Jerez named Antonio de la Malena, knows "everyone" in the flamenco world. He ensured that the documentary gives an accurate representation of this passionate art form, and secured the participation of the region's most important performers of traditional flamenco.
Traditional flamenco - our focus - is an art form closely associated with the land of its birth. In modern times, it has given birth to many kinds of fusion which the public often confuses with the original. But the fusions lack the emotional force of the original and so we should not let it die. Besides, if you cut off the roots of the tree by letting traditional flamenco die, the branches - the fusion - may wither away as well.
Here we use performance, interviews, a narration and other materials to show what traditional flamenco is, and we contrast it with flamenco fusion so that the viewer will be able to readily distinguish between the two.
SPECS: 1 hr. 45 min., color, HD. In Spanish with English subtitles.
DVD
You have three choices here: the ORIGINAL VERSION (1 hr. 45 min.), the DIRECTOR'S 2ND CUT (1 hr. 39 min. PLUS a 5-min. Extra), and divided into ALL FOUR EPISODES ON ONE DVD (each episode is 27-28 min.). The cost in all cases is $15. Choose your preference in the drop-down menu.
As before, the documentary, no matter what version, was shot in southern Spain's Jerez de la Frontera, and combines world-class performance, fascinating interviews, a narration by famous flamenco singer Antonio de la Malena, and other material.
SPECS: Color, HD, produced/directed by Eve A. Ma, in Spanish with English subtitles, has closed captions. Length of DIRECTOR'S 2ND CUT is 1 hr. 39 min. plus a 5-min. Extra; ORIGINAL is 1 hr. 45 min.; 4 episodes on 1 disc is 1 hr. 47 min.
MUSIC & OTHER
Antonio de la Malena's double album of flamenco singing (cante), Para ti mi cante… includes 16 tracks for a full two hours of very fine, traditional flamenco. He is accompanied by several fine guitarists: Manuel Parilla, Domingo Rubichi, Malena Hijo and Santiago Moreno.
In addition to alegrias, bulerias and seguiriyas, etc., Malena sings us trilla, serrana, and other less well-known forms. A very complete album that aficionados will appreciate.
Malena is twice winner of best singer in the prestigious, annual Festival de Flamenco de Jerez de la Frontera. He tours extensively and has sung solos on every continent except for Australia and Antartica.
NECK SCARVES
Neck scarves made in Spain by the wife of associate director Antonio de la Malena. Quantities limited, choose your color: two-tone grey, white, grey with gold, blue, pink, and white with brown.