The Hidden Sounds of Tango
(El sonido de antes)
Yael Szmulewicz | Documentary
2023 | 79 minutes | Argentina
A guitar collector restores a guitar similar to that of Carlos Gardel while exploring tango’s history and sound.
Synopsis
After acquiring an old Boca de Estrella guitar, similar to the one played by tango icon Carlos Gardel, musician and collector Patricio Crom sets out to restore the instrument and revive its authentic sound.
Throughout the restoration, Crom explores the rich history of tango, uncovering the unique playing techniques and deep cultural significance behind the music. The process highlights the craftsmanship and challenges involved in preserving such a legendary guitar.
Driven by his passion for Gardel and tango, Crom organizes a special concert featuring Argentina’s top tango guitarists, celebrating the enduring legacy of both the instrument and the music it inspired. This documentary captures the art, history, and emotion of one of tango’s most treasured symbols.
Reviews
“An homage to traditional guitars.” — Nicolás Dell’Acqua, Escribiendo Cine
“A declaration of love for instruments, an almost ethnomusicological exploration of the way music from the past is produced, sounded, and preserved.” — Andrés Valenzuela, Página/12
“A timeless piece with a distinctive authorial mark.” — Francisco Mendes Moas, Cine y Teatro Argentino
Citation
Main credits
Szmulewicz, Yael (film director)
Szmulewicz, Yael (screenwriter)
Szmulewicz, Yael (film producer)
Labat, Diego (screenwriter)
Crom, Patricio (on-screen participant)
Crom, Patricio (screenwriter)
Crom, Patricio (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Tan Kurttekin, Pablo Galarza; editing, Yael Szmulewicz, Laura Bua; music, Patricio Crom [and others].
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Culture + Identity
Dance + Performing Arts
Latin American Studies
Music
South America
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
BAFICI Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival; Near Nazareth Film Festival - Best Documentary; Paris Film Festival - Best Documentary Award; Sound of Screen Festival - Best Instrument Focused Documentary; Dubai Film Festival; Philadelphia Tango Festival; Buenos Aires Tango Festival; Bogota Film Festival; CinéLatino Rencontres de Toulouse; LATAFF Toronto Latin American Film Festival; Bordeaux Tango Festival
DIRECTOR: Yael Szmulewicz
NATIONALITY: Argentina
YEAR: 2023
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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