Film-maker Carlos Saura brought the magic and passion of flamenco dancing to the cinema screen with his trilogy of films Blood Wedding, Carmen and Love Bewitched. In this beautifully photographed programme he pays a personal homage to the various forms of sevillana.
An ancient, rhythmic Spanish dance that untrained eyes would describe as flamenco, sevillanas are performed everywhere - at a village fiesta, in a night club, at weddings and christenings. Each dance tells a story and can be performed by young and old alike - the sight of small children haughtily going through the movements is as delightful as the elderly couples dancing with practised grace and elegance.
Featuring some of its greatest stars, including Paco de Lucia, Lola Flores, Rocio Jurado and the last recorded performance of Camaron, Sevillanas is shot entirely in a studio so the colourful and striking images of the artists stand out against the plain backdrop. It has no commentary. The film won the Golden Rose of Montreux award earlier this year.
Musical director Manolo Sanlucar