Film Details

Mexican musician Chavela Vargas (1919-2012) was a legendary ranchera singer who also became a gay icon for comporting herself like a man. She is the subject of this new film co-directed by Emmy-nominated documentarian Catherine Gund (Born to Fly: Elizabeth Streb vs. Gravity). The movie centers around a 1991 interview with the singer—her first public appearance after 15 years lost to alcoholism and heartbreak. This was right before her momentous third act, when she came out as a lesbian, became a muse to filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar (interviewed in the film), earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, and performed sold-out shows at prestigious concert halls around the world. Gund will answer audience questions after the screening. “Donald Trump’s ultimate nightmare—a Mexican lesbian diva who can wring your very soul.” –The Guardian. Cleveland theatrical premiere. Subtitles. DCP. 93 min.