IDFA 2016
La Chana
Lucija Stojevic
Spain, Iceland
2016
83 min
World Premiere
IDFA Audience Award
In the 1960s and 1970s, Antonia Santiago Amador, alias “La Chana,” was a hugely
popular flamenco dancer – until she suddenly vanished from the public eye, at
the height of her career. After she played a role in the Peter Sellers film
The Bobo (1967) the star invited her to Hollywood, but it wasn’t to be. In her baroque boudoir in Barcelona, the frail and elderly dancer now reveals
the reason her career came to such an abrupt end. Meanwhile, she prepares to
give a performance together with friends and family – these days she has to
dance sitting down, but her footwork is still impressive. The camera follows her
as she makes paella with her daughter or teaches young dancers, demonstrating
the complexity of the fiery flamenco footwork. Supported by abundant footage of
spectacular dance and outstanding flamenco music, this intimate portrait is an
ode to the elderly gypsy artist, for whom swirling skirts might be a thing of
the past, but whose passion burns as strongly as ever.
Credits
Screening copy
Noon Films S.L.
Noon Films S.L.
Director
Co-production
Bless Bless Productions
Bless Bless Productions
Cinematography
Sound Design
Screenplay
Involved TV Channel
RTVE,
TV3
RTVE,
TV3