Search - Carmen Mota's Fuego: Spanish Passion on DVD

Passion+Technique+Sweat=Great Show

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 04/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
This marvelous DVD comes in 2 acts, and they are very different. Act 1, at nearly 23 minutes is mostly of spectacular and very theatrical ensemble pieces, where the dancers do excellent synchronization, and there are numerous overhead camera angles so that you can see the patterns they are forming with the choreography. This portion is more along the "Nuevo Flamenco" lines, with music that ranges from Carl Orff to more modern lush orchestral pieces that have a Spanish flavor. The 4th piece, "Talante," using chairs as props, is terrific. It crossed my mind that "Talante" is the kind of piece Bob Fosse would have done had he been a choreographer in this genre.

Act 2 is where you get the flamenco "carne y papas" so to speak, with a marvelous group of musicians, cante hondo, and palmeadas. Also this is where the superb dancers get to shine brilliantly and there are several solo pieces to marvel at, and at just a little over 19 ½ minutes, makes you want to view Act 2 all over again.

The dance troupe of 18 are all gorgeous, ultra professional, and technically up to the tasks the creative force behind "Fuego!," Carmen Mota, and her son, choreographer Joaquin Marcelo have for them. Also a visual delight is the beautiful costuming, imaginative lighting, and the overall production values are outstanding.

The bonus "backstage" feature is fascinating, if you understand Spanish. There are interviews with Carmen Mota, Joaquin Marcelo, and here we learn that he is hearing impaired, and it is so interesting how he goes about creating without hearing the music. We also get to hear from soloists Joana Gonzalez, who has been dancing for Mota for 16 years, and Antonio Santiago, who is the one that dazzles us in Act 2 with his taconeado.

If you like dancing, especially flamenco, you will like "Fuego!" a lot and be inspired by the passion and beauty of these 18 lovely dancers.
"

Amazing dancers!

D. Vozniak | Detroit, MI USA | 05/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The only thing that kept this DVD from 5 stars in my mind is the lighting. The lighting is so overdone that it was annoying to me and tended to distract from the really amazing dancing.

The dancers are simply amazing - there is no other word. Most of the dance numbers are long and the dancers are moving constantly. The speed and precision of their movements is fabulous. It was an outstanding show I will watch over and over and find something new each time."