Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Biographical documentary

Chavela (2017): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Chavela (2017) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$272.8K
Echo Score
75
Loading streaming availability…
Chavela (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Directors
Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi
Original language
Spanish
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Chavela

· 5 more
From the directors

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.

Ratings

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).

75 /100

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.

Box office

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.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$272.8K

US & Canada
$148.7K
International
$124.2K
US & Canada 54% Rest of the world 46%
Videos

Chavela Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Chavela.

Chavela Trailer #1 (2017) | Movieclips Indie
Details

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?

FAQ

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