Mamma Fado The Art of Amalia
By Ross Anthony
With an eccentric introduction by the delightfully eccentric David Byrne, this documentary spans the lifetime career of Portuguese's singing gem, Amalia Rodriguez. Born in 1920, Amalia's natural talent brought her quickly to the forefront of international music and easily held her there nearly to the end of her life in 1999.
Though dabbling in other styles, Amalia is synonymous with Fado - the Portuguese version of blues. As Amalia puts it, "Fado is Lament."
Filmed in traditional documentary style; we watch clip after clip of this vocal treasure singing her heart out with intermittent historical commentary by the English speaking narrator. From Portugal to France to Italy to the USA, the documentary opens our eyes to TV in other countries. Amalia's own remembrances captured in an interview during the last year of her life are added to the mix. She speaks in Portuguese, while subtitles flash across the screen. It's a pleasant enough recipe for a half-hour program, but looses its punch by the hour mark. Interviews with friends and loved ones would have helped.
Additionally, the program seldom delves below the surface of success. Turning the angle to explore how a "singer of the sad" handles success and stardom could have enhanced the attraction of this production. Amalia herself says, "I was never really happy. I was never a cheerful person." Her frank demeanor and obvious talent make her naturally fascinating ... but the film attends only a glossy nostalgia.
Minor suggestions: Three or four times subtitles wisp across the screen faster than the average reader can grasp. Slow them down by taking advantage of the moments when the interviewee is paused between sentences. The mention of a blues collaboration begged a sample clip, though none was offered. Lastly, the film comes to a close with only a brief footnote that Amalia had died a week before its completion. In consistent fashion, no further information is given regarding her death, leaving the audience wondering. Placing this footnote prior to the last long cut of Amalia singing, would have at least emphasized its treasure while ending the film on a sigh and a tear instead of a question mark.
Even if Fado is not your fancy, they'll be no avoiding the genuine allure of Amalia Rodrigues' fantastic voice. Recorded through inferior microphones, stored on imperfect film and out-dated tape formats, the rich tonal quality of her voice still rings resilient. She must have been absolutely chilling in person.
The Art of Amalia. Copyright © 2000. Starring Amalia Rodrigues. Narrated by John Ventimiglia. Directed by Bruno de Almeida. Written by Frank Coelho and Bruno de Almeida. Produced by Manuel Falcao at Avatar/Arco/Valentim de Carvalho TV.
Grade..........................B
-- Copyright © 2000. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: http://RossAnthony.com
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