Summer Concert Series: The Rolling Stones Ole Ole Ole: A Trip Across Latin America (2016)

Here in the U.S.A. the fact that we can enjoy rock and roll music is completely taken for granted. Anywhere in this country you can turn on a dozen or so radio stations that play nothing but rock. Even for fans of the band The Rolling Stones having a concert nearby is nothing earth-shattering. Still in countries where even listening to a Rolling Stones album for decades was not only subversive, but could make you get in trouble with the law, the band performing in your country was not just a chance to have a fun night out, but a historical milestone that represented a new sort of freedom that went beyond just fun music. Because of this Paul Dugdales Ole Ole Ole is presented not as much as a Rolling Stones documentary, but a film about this new found freedom. If you want to watch this movie to learn more about the Rolling Stones music or who the members of the band are as people, there are a dozen or so other films about The Rolling Stones that will give you more of this. Still if you want a documentary about the true effect that rock and roll music has and the pure freedom it can give to so many people, this is a perfect film for you. The highlights of this film (with the exception of the actual concert footage, that will be discussed later in this review) are the moments being spent with the fans of the band. Rock and roll to them wasn't simply fun music, but a true act of rebellious freedom. There is a true devotion to the band who have in these countries due to their banned status for decades have become more than just people. They were the personification of freedom of expression and the freedom to be who you truly are to people who weren't allowed the luxury for so long. Because of this what you see here are people who have excepted the band as not only music they like but a life style choice. To say some of these fans are die-hard is an understatement. Even in the concert footage spends a lot of time with the camera looking out at the audience, who may be the most excited and spirited audience I have ever seen in a concert film.

Of course with this being a Rolling Stones movie the music is very important as well. As many of you know the reason The Rolling Stones are one of the world's most popular rock bands is that their music is really good. Even though the band was no longer young at this time, they have lost none of their talent and energy on stage. The performances of such classics as Satisfaction, Honky Tonk Women, Sympathy For the Devil, Start Me Up, Silver, Wild Horses and Gimme Shelter are as high energy and fun to both listen to and watch as any Rolling Stones fan could hope for.

-Michael J. Ruhland