Gitanos del Sacromonte

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RobF

Posts: 1611
Joined: Aug. 24 2017

Gitanos del Sacromonte

I came across this video when a friend of mine’s brother posted the link to it on his FB page, and it kind of hit me on a personal level. It’s a short documentary about their family in Sacromonte shot in the early 90’s, I believe.

A much younger version of my friend is featured throughout, playing guitar and accompanying his mother in the Cueva la Rocío, as well as providing background music during the rest of the piece. I even recognize his mother’s house, as it’s now owned by his brother and I’ve been there a number of times for home-cooked meals; still the same tiles on the floor and it looks like it might be the same birdcage on the wall, too, which is kind of cool, considering this was shot over 25 years ago.

Their mother, Loles, passed away about twelve years ago and a huge memorial concert was held in her honour, headlined by performers such as Enrique Morente and Tomatito. She looks much younger in this. My friend looks a lot like her, same eyes. And his dad is also in it, whom I recognize from pictures I’ve seen; he carries himself with quiet dignity.

I like this type of documentary. I appreciate the root context it provides and I’m thankful whenever I come across something like it. While the performances here may not be virtuosic, it is real gitano flamenco puro and the documentary provides a snapshot of life in Sacromonte from the not too distant past. Hopefully others will enjoy it, too.