Chavela (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
Chavela is a 2017 biographical documentary directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi, starring Miguel Bosé, Eugenia León and Elena Benarroch. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes and earned $272,842 worldwide. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 33m (93 min)
- Directors
- Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi
- Genres
- Biography , History , Music , Documentary
- Original language
-
Spanish
- Studio
- Music Box Films
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Chavela About?
The premise of Chavela without spoilers.
This poignant documentary explores the extraordinary life of Chavela Vargas, a fiercely independent singer who defied convention. Through intimate, previously unseen interviews and captivating stories, the film pieces together a powerful portrait of the artist. It reveals how she forged a unique path, challenging norms and leaving an indelible mark on music and culture with her raw talent and unapologetic spirit.
Chavela Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- singer
- 1910s
Chavela Cast
Miguel Bosé leads the cast, with Eugenia León and Elena Benarroch. Directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi; 9 actors are credited in all.
-
Co-director Catherine Gund - Co-director Daresha Kyi
- Miguel Bosé as themselves
- Eugenia León as themselves
- Elena Benarroch as themselves
- Jose Alfredo Jimenez Jr. as themselves
Also Starring in Chavela
· 5 more- Liliana Felipe Themselves
- Mariana Gyalui Themselves
- Patria Jiménez Flores Themselves
- Tania Libertad Themselves
- Laura García-Lorca
More from Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi
More films directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi, best-rated first: Born to Fly, Aggie, Making Grace and Paint Me a Road Out of Here.
Chavela Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Chavela 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 68 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).
Chavela Echo Score Breakdown
Chavela offers a moderately engaging documentary that melds respectful homage with conventional storytelling. The film’s artful assembly of archival materials and concert footage provides visual interest, though the directing choices occasionally feel routine. Emotional testimonies enrich the narrative, yet gaps in contextual depth leave some facets unexplored. The unconventional time-hopping structure introduces freshness without fully overcoming a plodding pace. While not groundbreaking, the film delivers a respectful and informative tribute to its subject.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
In terms of art and craft, the film presents a visually coherent yet occasionally predictable aesthetic. Its editing blends archival photographs and concert footage into a cohesive flow, but conventional pacing undermines moments of creative flair. The direction remains respectful without challenging stylistic boundaries. Overall, the craft supports the narrative effectively despite its familiarity.
- Character & Emotion 80
When it comes to character and emotion, Chavela offers vivid personal recollections that illuminate the singer’s complex persona. Interviews with friends and former lovers provide heartfelt insight into her resilience, though some contextual struggles receive sparse attention. The emotional weight of candid testimonies conveys authenticity and impact. Overall, the film balances depth of feeling with occasional narrative brevity.
- Story & Flow 65
In terms of story and flow, the documentary follows a straightforward biographical arc that is easy to follow but occasionally plodding. The non-linear time structure introduces variety, yet gaps in the coverage of key career challenges limit narrative depth. Remembrances provide engagement, but the pacing sometimes feels uneven. Overall, the story remains coherent though it stops short of full immersion.
- Sensory Experience 85
When it comes to sensory experience, Chavela excels with its evocative sound design and visual presentation. The integration of live musical performances and archival audio immerses viewers in the raw power of the ranchera genre. Archival photographs and concert footage are woven into a rich visual tapestry. Overall, the film’s audio-visual cohesion amplifies the emotional resonance of the subject.
- Rewatch Factor 70
The rewatch factor is moderate, offering valuable insights on subsequent viewings without unveiling major new revelations. The documentary’s focused scope and informative testimonies reward repeat observation, though its conventional structure may limit long-term novelty. Emotional and historical layers remain appealing, yet the pacing and coverage gaps slightly diminish replay value. Overall, the film invites periodic revisiting as a cultural portrait.
-
IMDb 7.7 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 95% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 79%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 68 Metascore
User score 8.0
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 69% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.9 /5
4 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 1.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Chavela Box Office
Chavela grossed $272,842 worldwide. $148,666 came from the US and Canada and $124,176 (46%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$272.8K
- US & Canada
- $148.7K
- International
- $124.2K
Chavela Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Chavela.
Chavela Also Known As
7 alternative titles, including “Amor Puro y Duro: Love Hard & Pure” and “Chavela Vargas”.
- Also known as
-
- Amor Puro y Duro: Love Hard & Pure
- Chavela Vargas
- Chavela Vargas - Die Stimme Mexikos
- チャベーラ
- Чавела
- 查维拉
- 차벨라
Seen Chavela?
Movies Like Chavela
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Frida. Viva la Vida, Chicana and Violeta Went to Heaven.
Chavela FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Chavela, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Chavela?
Chavela runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).
When was Chavela released?
Chavela was released on October 4, 2017.
Who directed Chavela?
Chavela was directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi.
More films by Catherine Gund Who is in the cast of Chavela?
Chavela stars Miguel Bosé, Eugenia León and Elena Benarroch, among 9 credited actors.
How much did Chavela make at the box office?
Chavela grossed $272,842 worldwide ($148,666 domestic, $124,176 international).
How is Chavela rated?
Chavela has 7.7/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 68 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.
Does Chavela have a post-credit scene?
No. Chavela has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Chavela in?
The original language of Chavela is Spanish.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
