The Art of Amalia Rodrigues

Just finished watching documentary about great portuguese Fado singer Amalia Rodrigues.

What a beautiful and charismatic woman!

And by the way,great music too - I was vaguely familiar with Rodrigues and knew her face from postcards around Lisbon but never really knew how important she was for Fado (or Portugal,for that matter) until I saw this movie. Since Fado is basically very soulful music and touches some nerves common to every one of us,with subtitles you might end up reduced to tears as it happened to me - what a music,what a poetry,what a soulfulness! It was (for some reason) "Estranha forma di vida" ("Strange way of life") that really got me and I cried,than repeated scene and cried again in orgy of sado-masochism. Well,after all this crying it's wonder I am still capable or writing but in fact it was a happy bawling - I enjoyed the documentary very much and was very pleased with my new Lisbon shopping,will probably treat myself with some good crying few more times.

Extras include several concert performances and film scenes with Rodrigues singing,notably that amazing "Barco Negro" that made her into international star. Even now,after all this time its still a hair rising moment,when she soars with that powerful voice everyone keeps their breath.

Documentary was very good - best of all,it completely avoided usual gossip stuff and focused exclusively on Amalia Rodrigues early success and rise from poor background into international superstar where she continued happily ever after,ending with all kinds of medals,awards and government bowing to her.By all accounts (and her own candid admission) she wasn't exactly bundle of joy - no wonder,since Fado songs are often mournful - and possibly spending a lifetime singing sad songs does it for you,appears whatever private depressions and sadness she might have had off stage,once she stepped under the lights she was at least closer to happiness. Towards the end of her life,as she got older,she actually cheered up a bit and during interviews looks relaxed,honest,lucid and even witty. Unfortunately this documentary was finished just right after her ultimate passing so she never saw it,but its in print ever since and its a really strong and respectful tribute to great music legend. She is a symbol of Portugal in a very much same way Edith Piaf represents France.