Kumpania - Flamenco Los Angeles
by Sean Hill
Flamenco is a form of Spanish dance, song and music with began in Southwest Spain by gypsies that had come to that region from India. The art form was used to pass down stories from one generation to the next and to serve as a conduit for healing both spiritually and emotionally. KUMPANIA is a documentary that not only gives the history of this art but also contains interviews with the singers, musicians and dancers that are keeping Flamenco alive in Los Angeles.
The best documentaries take a subject that the viewer knows nothing about and gives background on the subject and features those who have knowledge on said subject. If effective, when the film is complete the viewer should have a deeper understanding of the topic presented. Admittedly I knew nothing of Flamenco at the onset of this film and at its completion I now have and understanding of it but an appreciation for the artists that perform it. One of the common themes that the majority of the artists share is that none of them do it for money, fame or fortune. They all do it for the love it. Another common thread is that those that perform it start at a very young age, and it is typically passed down from generation to generation.
The strength of the film is the live performances that are featured throughout the film. The performances show that, like jazz, Flamenco strengths lie in its improvisation nature with the singers, dancers and musicians all working together in a free-form way. At the same time, I believe the film could have used more full performances with more info as to what the dances and songs mean. There is a full performance featured at the end but unfortunately the film makers run credits over this sequence, and it is somewhat distracting. The sequence should have been featured credit free so the viewer would get a better sense of what it is like to see an actual performance.
Overall, this is a good documentary featuring a subject that most may not know much about. I enjoyed being immersed in this world for the film's running time. The singing, dancing and music are all top rate, and it may inspire some to learn more about or seek out and attended performance in their area. The documentary is successful in showcasing and educating the audience on its subject.
