In 1996, Ry Cooder assembled the Buena Vista Social Club and turned Havana’s forgotten musical aristocracy into unlikely stars. Twenty-five years on, the magic of the joyous, bittersweet album they recorded together is stronger than ever. But how did its curator and venerable cast navigate power cuts, food shortages and meetings with Fidel Castro?

An extended interview with the legendary filmmaker

Hear "Vicenta", one of 19 previously unreleased tracks

Wim Wenders' 1990 Cuban doc updated