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Chavela

Play trailer 2:07 Poster for Chavela 2017,  1h 31m,  Documentary/ Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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Watchlist 95% 42 Reviews Tomatometer 81% 250+ Ratings Popcornmeter
95% Tomatometer 42 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The life of Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, who gains worldwide fame for her beauty and charm and her interpretation of traditional ranchera.
Chavela

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Chavela pays affecting tribute to its subject with an absorbing documentary that outlines her remarkable life while effectively communicating the power and lingering impact of her art.

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Critics Reviews

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Raquel Breternitz Autostraddle Aug 17, 2021
It is this strength and beauty that drew people to her, and it is the heart of the documentary. Go to Full Review
Bedatri D. Choudhury Bitch Media Jan 8, 2019
Watching Chavela Vargas sing is like watching rain clouds gather against a hill; she appears onstage, takes to the mic, and sings in her husky tenor. The pain in her songs plays out through the twitch of an eyebrow... Go to Full Review
Brad Wheeler Globe and Mail Dec 8, 2017
3/4
The late Chavela Vargas, a sad and fiery legend of Latin American song, is the subject of an adoring portrait as straightforward as its title, Chavela. Go to Full Review
Pat Mullen POV Magazine Apr 30, 2026
Vargas’ biography, like her music, is awfully melancholy. But it’s also told so sincerely and beautifully that one feels joy and admiration in lieu of sadness. Go to Full Review
Peter Martin ScreenAnarchy Apr 30, 2026
Chavela is a 'music doc' that proves to be more revealing than that marketing term might imply. Go to Full Review
Nandhu Sundaram Firstpost Apr 30, 2026
3/5
Chavela, a warm documentary on Chavela Vargas, is a riveting portrait of the great Mexican singer that mixes her heart wrenching songs with some intimate interviews. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Rey M Jan 27, 2019 Documental hermoso, bien hecho, sencillo, a lo que va. La vida del "Señora", de Chavela, la lesbiana alcohólica que cambió la vida de tantas personas y que abrió la senda para muchas que venían detrás de ella. Amante de Frida, amante del tequila, amiga de la noche y la bohemia, de Jose Alfredo Jimenez, de Gabo, de Monsivais, de Fuentes, de Picasso, de Almodóvar, de Bosï¿ 1/2 1/2 (C), de todos. A sus 60 resucita, libre de los demonios del alcohol y termina de conquistar las emociones de millones de hispanoparlantes. A los 80 se lanza en paracaídas, como un símbolo de lo que fue su vida y termina a los 93 como una reina en el DF, la ciudad que la hizo, como ella decía, una macha remacha. See more
Luke S Feb 14, 2018 This documentary highlights the life of Chavela Vargas, who became a sensation in Mexico in the fifties. She was a proud woman lesbian and her story is told with care. See more
Han R Oct 11, 2017 While poignant and heart-wrenching bio, it is a veritable treasure trove of "la canción mexicana".... (the music of Mexico).
Hermione S Oct 7, 2017 I hadn't heard of Chavela before seeing this film, but afterwards I felt like a lifelong fan. The filmmakers pay a phenomenal tribute to to an under appreciated legend who was WAY ahead of her time. A must see! See more
Theodore S Jul 20, 2017 Filled with music and dynamic energy, the riveting Chavela dives deeply and skillfully into the complicated life of the legendary Mexican lesbian singer Chavela Vargas. The film's production quality is outstanding, making it a joy to watch from first frame to last, especially in the perfectly selected archival footage so expertly edited by Carla Gutierrez. See more
Ron R Jun 15, 2017 Compelling subject, amazing story. Well edited.
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Chavela

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Movie Info

Synopsis The life of Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, who gains worldwide fame for her beauty and charm and her interpretation of traditional ranchera.
Director
Catherine Gund, Daresha Kyi
Producer
Catherine Gund, Daresha Kyi
Distributor
Music Box Films
Production Co
Aubin Pictures
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 4, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 2, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$142.4K
Runtime
1h 31m
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