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Compañeras
| Length: | 59 min |
| Released: | 2009 |
| Ages: |
High School College Adult |
Buy Online Streaming
Musically stunning and emotionally compelling, Compañeras follows a group of Latina musicians as they break the gender barrier to perform mariachi music in America. Long the purview of male musicians, the twelve-member Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles was the first all-female mariachi band. Since its inception in 1994, the group paved the way for others to perform professionally, expanding the popularity of this culturally rich music.
Along with a brief history of mariachi music, the film interweaves portraits of the women who find that their personal lives often conflict with their desire to be full-time musicians. The issues raised are universal to women everywhere: how to balance family life with career, how to achieve equal pay, and how to deal with emotional conflict. Compañeras offers rich material for discussion and delivers engaging performances from the films talented subjects.
Along with a brief history of mariachi music, the film interweaves portraits of the women who find that their personal lives often conflict with their desire to be full-time musicians. The issues raised are universal to women everywhere: how to balance family life with career, how to achieve equal pay, and how to deal with emotional conflict. Compañeras offers rich material for discussion and delivers engaging performances from the films talented subjects.
"The operative word is passionate."
‒The New York Times
"Recommended. . . Celebrates both a beloved musical style and feminine camaraderie."
‒Video Librarian
"It's a treat."
‒Salon.com
"A satisfying film and a wholly inspiring one."
‒Hispanic Magazine
"Richly entertaining."
‒The Hartford Courant
"Highly recommended. It is a nuanced documentary offering rich material for discussion as well as engaging performances."
‒Educational Media Reviews Online
‒The New York Times
"Recommended. . . Celebrates both a beloved musical style and feminine camaraderie."
‒Video Librarian
"It's a treat."
‒Salon.com
"A satisfying film and a wholly inspiring one."
‒Hispanic Magazine
"Richly entertaining."
‒The Hartford Courant
"Highly recommended. It is a nuanced documentary offering rich material for discussion as well as engaging performances."
‒Educational Media Reviews Online
One World Film Festival, 2008
South by Southwest Festival, 2007
Heartland Film Festival, 2007
South by Southwest Festival, 2007
Heartland Film Festival, 2007
