Hot Docs - Chavela
Inspired by exclusive interview and performance footage of Chavela Vargas shot in 1991 and guided by her unique voice, Chavela weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being.
Interview with Director/Producer Catherine Gund
Watch Chavela on Prime Video, Kanopy and Vudu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Death was surrounding me during the AIDS crisis. When I lost my best friend, I fled to Mexico City and ended up staying there for months. I was introduced to Chavela Vargas's music in Cuernavaca and it worked its magic on me. Chavela's rancheras were speaking to me about profound, life-altering love and tragic, heart-wrenching loss. It was 1991. I carried a big old Hi-8 video camera in my backpack which was a habit from recording street demonstrations and everyday moments in my community, in an effort to create our own imagery since we were missing or maligned in the mainstream.
Through our video cameras, we got to represent ourselves – queer people, people of color, people with HIV – in all of our beauty and emotional brilliance. Finding and filming Chavela followed the same impulse. She was largely unknown then, at 71 years old, also queer, missing and maligned.
My new friends knew she was struggling with alcoholism, that she had recently broken up with a lover, and that she was having a hard time. The lesbian feminist community in Mexico at that time was fairly small and intertwined, as is its tendency, and they didn’t feel like Chavela was being honored as she deserved to be. Here was this huge, global icon who seemed to be sailing off into history as a back up singer, the second act, the accompanist, never the star. But nonetheless, they knew she had been fearless and they revered her for that. She had stood in her truth and her power, never changing pronouns in the songs men had traditionally sung to women. They loved her music and they loved her bravery. She never pretended to be straight. She never married a man. She was always herself, from the beginning. She was their hero.
It was a miracle that we got the interview. She invited us into her home in Ahuatepec. She had never talked so much with kindred strangers for hours like she did with us. She talked about personal things, finding love and losing it, struggling to be recognized for her talents and generosity, her full throated emotional delivery. She spoke about the joy and pain of encountering people who knew her, who called her either “diva” or “dyke.” We knew it was our opportunity to share her story with a broader audience. But we didn’t know her story was only half way done. She predicted her own grand trajectory when she begins the film saying, “Don’t ask me where I’ve been. Ask me where I’m going.” How could we have known?!
Those interviews provide the fulcrum of the film Chavela. She had her small art house fame, but she had yet to go to Spain, yet to perform on an huge world famous stage like Sala Caracol, Bellas Artes, the Olympia, or Carnegie Hall. And at the time, she implored us, “Don’t forget me.” We haven’t. I like to think this film follows in the tradition of my work on AIDS in the late 80s when we were “exploding the stability of the official history."
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I hope we tell Chavela's story in a way that elicits empathy from all viewers, that allows people to tap into the most powerful parts of themselves, those that free them to make their largest, most grounded contributions while insisting on recognition and celebration of the work and engagement of others. We are capable of so much glory but it will always come at a cost. We need fortification to manage our collective power. This is what is possible with art and Chavela's music represents the very best of that. I would say don't miss the opportunity!
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Transcendence is the ultimate movement from personal to universal and Chavela's music reveals that possibility. Her body and soul, her voice, break open the flat dimensional plane on which people generally function. I believe an aging, Mexican, butch lesbian, ranchera singer can speak to everyone in the world. That's why art is constantly accessed for its universal qualities. Potential to motivate, to touch, to reveal, to allow each of us a personal and individual response that will carry us through the day. Telling a story in great detail - with great details - of a person who is heart-wrenchingly bold and true, fundamentally elicits our human commonalities of love, death, loss, solitude, and joy. Chavela reveled in all of it. What an example she set for the rest of us who are willing to listen.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Connecting with those who knew and loved Chavela was a long and winding process. At the beginning, it was mostly intuitive, finding who she mattered to when she wasn’t famous and then branching out to her later, more public connections. We started in Mexico with Jesusa and Liliana, the proprietors of El Habito where I filmed Chavela’s performances in the early 90s. We found Chavela’s younger friend-turned-Senator Patria Jimenez, whom I likely passed on the streets of Cuernavaca outside of Chavela’s house. And we reached out sight-unseen to wonderful, enthusiastic and willing celebrities like Eugenia Leon, Miguel Bose and Martirio. Like Chavela had done when I met her, they all invited us into their homes. Pedro Almodovar chose to be filmed in his dramatic, colorful, lively studio space. We were embraced by those who embraced Chavela. And they always offered tequila, sometimes at the beginning, sometimes once we were rolling, sometimes when we turned the camera off, always to celebrate their joy in reminiscing. But tequila, always tequila. Hasta el ultimo trago.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Those who know Chavela love this film - it gives her room to breathe, sing, be her full self. These fans can not only experience the beauty they've always found in her gifts and generosity but also in new stories never seen or heard before. There are few people who knew or experienced her at all the moments we hit with this film. Some knew her only by her music, some by reputation, and some by her songs in Almodovar films. Some knew of her Spain life and her presence on the big stage, some knew of her when she was drowning in tequila. Chavela brings all these parts together and people are appreciating that. As for those viewers who knew nothing about her, the film is a revelation. I make documentaries to satisfy my own need for discovery so it's hugely gratifying when viewers also discover something new. Long live Chavela!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback has been universally positive which is remarkable and, yes, surprising. But not challenging. Honestly what I have found most challenging is the depth of vulnerability viewers are open to sharing after they see the film, whether in the Q&A setting, or individually outside theaters, or even online. I knew a gritty, true person had the power to exemplify grace, bravery and commitment, but I don't think I realized the vastness of need we all have to be inspired, reminded, encouraged, and celebrated in our individuality.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I appreciate this site's dedication to women, equity, and filmmaking. And I want to celebrate Chavela's story as a universal story that can be accessed by all kinds of viewers. More visibility can only help spread the values of bravery and compassion.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We're in full distribution mode, so any additional festivals would be great, certainly journalists and press to amplify our message. International buyers can be in touch with Latido Films in Madrid who is handling international sales and Film Sales in New York who is handling Canada. We're lucky to have our US distribution being handled by Music Box Films.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I want people to walk away in love -- in love with Chavela, in love with living, in love with themselves. I think her bravery and uniqueness can appeal to everyone in a way that extends celebration and appreciation of queer Latina leadership and creative brilliance to everyone.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you believe the solitude we each feel can be managed to create community and feelings of common humanity? What roles can art/music/film play in movements for justice? What are the stories we tell about ourselves/Does everyone have a Leyenda Negra?
Would you like to add anything else?
We worked with a brilliant editor named Carla Gutierrez. She's an artists who can see, hear, and feel many dimensions and manipulate them towards ultimate emotional effect. It was fabulous to work with her and I'm grateful for her insights, creativity, and dedication.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I just finished directing a very different documentary film in five chapters about the aftermath of the police shooting of 12 year-old Tamir Rice in Cleveland and how regular folks went out and organized. Ultimately they successfully voted out the prosecutor who had failed them. It's called Dispatches form Cleveland and it's on the festival circuit now while we figure out further grassroots and mainstream distribution plans. Daresha is preparing to move from NYC to Atlanta and start up some new projects there.
Interview: May 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Chavela
Inspired by exclusive interview and performance footage of Chavela Vargas shot in 1991 and guided by her unique voice, Chavela weaves an arresting portrait of a woman who dared to dress, speak, sing, and dream her unique life into being.
Length: 90 minutes
Director: Catherine Gund & Daresha Kyi
Producer: Catherine Gund & Daresha Kyi
About the writer, director and producer:
Catherine Gund is an Emmy-nominated producer and director whose work focuses on arts, culture, and social justice issues.
Daresha Kyi’s an award-winning visionary artist who writes, produces, and directs for film and television (in Spanish and English) and loves to act, sing and dance!
Key cast: Chavela Vargas, Pedro Almodóvar, Eugenia Leon, Tania Libertad, Miguel Bose
Looking for: Buyers, film festivals, journalists
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chavelavargasfilm/
Twitter: @ChavelaFilm
Instagram:@ChavelaFilm
Funders: NEA, Frameline, Women In Film, etc.
Where can I see it in the next month?
HOTDOCS 5/3/2017 Wednesday @ 7:00 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 5/4/2017 Thursday @ 10:00 AM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 5/5/2017 Friday @ 6:15 PM TIFF Bell Lightbox 2 5/6/2017 Saturday @ 1:00 PM Hart House Theatre
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Friday May 19 at 7pm Saturday May 20th at 11:00AM
QDoc Film Festival
Saturday May 20th at 6pm AFI
Friday, June 16 at 11:00am in AFI Silver T2 Saturday, June 17 at 9:00pm in E Street T6"
FRAMELINE
Chavela 6/19/2017 6:30 PM Castro Theatre (San Francisco) Chavela 6/22/2017 7:00 PM Landmark Piedmont Cinema (Oakland)