Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: FARRUQUITO - A FLAMENCO DYNASTY [DOC NYC 2025 - New York, New York - Virtual]

The essence of tradition is sometimes bathed in aspects of nostalgia and joy but also regret. With "Farruquito: A Flamenco Dynasty" (Portraits), the study is based on the known Flamenco dancer who made his name from a very young age. But what it builds in is the love and old school element of Farruco, his grandfather and how it reflected and build on the loss of his son who was also named Farruquito. Farruco's son died before Farruquito was born so it is the aspect of a legend of a person you never knew. Farruquito himself reflects in that father figure as well with his son who himself follows in his father's footsteps. And yet Farruquito's own father who was a singer that worked with his grandfather and died early as well.

The film primarily optimizes interviews with Farruquito and his mother while also offering some nicely staged pieces with him dancing almost done in the Carlos Saura style which makes sense since Farruco was in that filmmaker's movie called "Flamenco". This is also integrated with archive footage from that film but also personal movies which add handcrafted elements to the picture. The film does touch on one scandal but like most, it was something that happened that caused Farruquito to be scared in his early age. He grew up on stage and as such reflected that even with his immense talent. Watching him teach his son who might just be starting to get the legacy he is involved with even though he shares his father's talent is sublime in many ways. He is only there because of his father but his father is also there because of his grandfather. But like with his grandfather, it is beautiful to see the work ethic and lessons took in stride. The final moments of a dolly shot, like the first shot, reflects a legacy which speaks to the dynasty, which is still being explored and evolving. A-

By Tim Wassberg