From the Pampas to the Andes, from the Mapuche universe to the villagers who sing of their nostalgia in cafes, from the world of the Gauchos to that of large modern cities: a musical and sensory journey through space and time, which shows the range of traditional dance and music that make up the soul of Argentina.

Picture gallery

Carlos Saura’s movie is far from being a traditional documentary about dance and music. Filmed on a large sound stage enhanced by different colors to illustrate the dozens of musical styles of South America, Saura limits himself to a quick intertitle before each presentation. There is no narration, no dialogue, no interviews with the artists: there is only music, dance and lyrics. The journey faced by the audience is a strange one. Before each segment, there is the uncertainly whether one will be entertained, but then the melody prevails almost systematically. This charming formula sometimes lacks strength and, because no comments are made, leaves you with a sense of unfinished business in the end.