Buena Vista Social Club in 35mm

Added to the National Film Registry in 2020.

Sun, Jan 21, 2024

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

Added to the National Film Registry in 2020.

Both a time capsule of the tense relations between Cuba and the United States and a stirring showcase of a regional music scene, Wim Wenders’s Oscar-nominated documentary about the popular danzón music of the Caribbean island country was met with universal acclaim upon its release, leading to increased international recognition for musicians like Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, and Rubén González. Wenders’s close friend Ry Cooder, a multi-instrumental American musician, helped gather the eponymous ensemble that would tour to Amsterdam and Carnegie Hall in New York, marking for some the first time these artists were able to travel to the United States.

DIRECTED/WRITTEN BY: Wim Wenders. WITH: Octavio Calderon, Joachim Cooder, Ry Cooder, Angel Terry Domech. 1999. 105 min. Germany/USA/UK/France/Cuba. B&W, Color. English, Spanish. Rated G. 35mm. Print courtesy of the Academy Film Archive.

Academy Museum film programming generously funded by the Richard Roth Foundation. 

Theater accessibility accommodations available upon request. Learn more about our accessibility initiatives.

Know Before You Go

  • Plan your Visit

    Location

    The Academy Museum and its theaters are located at 6067 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

    Parking

    Self-parking, accessible parking, and electric vehicle charging options are available. See below for our parking structure information and view the parking page for further details.

    Ride-Share Drop Off

    Roddenberry Lane, entrance on Fairfax Ave.

    LACMA's Pritzker Parking Garage

    6000 W 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on 6th St.
    5am–10pm
    $20 ($12 after 8pm entry) 
    Accessible spots on P1, adjacent to elevators
    EV charging stations on P1 and P2

    Petersen Automotive Museum Garage

    744 Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90036, entrance on Fairfax Ave. or 8th St.
    6am–11pm
    $24 (first 15 min. free)
    Accessible spots on P1 only; no garage elevator
    EV charging stations on P1

  • Accessibility

    Audio Description

    For visitors who are blind or partially-sighted, audio description devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. 

    Real-time audio descriptions are available for some performances upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of describers. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.

    Closed Captioning

    For visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing, in-seat closed captioning or descriptive audio-devices are available for some digital film screenings on a first-come, first-served basis. Please confirm availability at academymuseum@oscars.org before planning your visit. 

    Real-time captioning is available for programs upon request with at least three weeks’ notice, subject to the availability of captioners. Email academymuseum@oscars.org to submit your request.

    Please see our Accessibility page for complete information, including details on our Visual Description Tours, Calm Mornings, and Covid-19 policies.