La Bitácora de Los Chileneros
This documentary, directed and produced by musician and researcher Mario Rojas in 1998, tells the story of the group Los Chileneros, formed by Hernán Núñez Oyarce, Raúl Lizama "El Perico Chilenero," Luis Hernán Araneda "El Baucha," and Eduardo Mesías "El Chico Mesías." It includes commentary from musicologist Rodrigo Torres of the University of Chile, which helps to contextualize the tracks exposed. It introduces us to the origins of a Cueca style presented as a genre analogous to Tango, Peruvian waltz, Flamenco, Jazz, and many other popular urban musical expressions that emerged in the shadow of industrial society during the first half of the 20th century. With its protagonists now deceased, it's a valuable reference record for understanding the work and charisma of protagonists of astonishing urban tales, set amidst Santiago's "fondas", "quintas de recreo", marginalized bars, brothels and slaughterhouses.
