A Night of Calypso

Calypso came into the American consciousness largely through the success of the great Harry Belafonte in the 1950s, but this gorgeous musical tradition can be traced back to the mid-19th century at least, when its unique rhythmic sway and intricate melodies emerged in the heart of the Caribbean. This musically irresistible and culturally vital documentary from Fernando Muñoz offers a history of calypso by profiling one of the last active Panamanian calypso ensembles, Grupo Amistad, as they mount a truly glorious concert. Through rehearsals, interviews and, most of all, the music itself, A Night of Calypso functions as a call to ensure that this dynamic genre, with all its aesthetic, social and political history intact, survives, thrives, and is passed onto the next generation. (Miami Film Festival)