Buena Vista Social Club

A joyful tribute to the forgotten greats of Cuban music and the Grammy‑winning album that made them world famous.

Born out of humble beginnings, the phenomenon that is the Buena Vista Social Club came about after musician Ry Cooder became entranced by the long‑forgotten Cuban musicians he uncovered while crate‑digging in New York City. Inspired to track them down and work with them, he and his wife travelled by boat to the Caribbean island to record these ageing artists. The rest is history: a Grammy Award‑winning album and an Oscar‑nominated documentary by Wim Wenders, who captures the lightning‑in‑a‑bottle moment. The result is Buena Vista Social Club, Wenders’ triumphant documentary that showcases these artists in concert as they bring their music to the greater world.

Curator’s note
After having collaborated with Wenders on the classic score for Paris, Texas, Ry Cooder’s stroke of genius was to bring his friend on board to capture this remarkable journey of second chances. This too was to become a second chance of sorts for Wenders, who had hit a bit of a creative slump after the highs of Paris, Texas (1984) and Wings of Desire (1987). The phenomenon that transpired from this remarkable snapshot in time brought together a constant thread in Wenders’ career: his love of music and his keen sense and generosity in collaboration. This second chance would nourish Wenders right up until the present day.