Grammy-winning artist Ry Cooder and acclaimed director Wim Wenders bring the flavor of Cuban music to the big screen this week with the arrival of "Buena Vista Social Club."

The documentary was sparked by Cooder's 1998 album of the same name, which featured the noted guitarist trading chops with some of Cuba's finest. Wenders learned of Cooder's experiences in Cuba while the two were working on Wenders' "The End of Violence" and decided to head to Havana to explore the lives of the musicians Cooder worked with. In documenting the men and their music, the director followed the musicians from Havana to a triumphant turn at New York's Carnegie Hall.

Wenders, perhaps best known for 1987's "Wings Of Desire," has worked with Cooder on numerous film projects and will also work with U2 frontman Bono on "Billion Dollar Hotel," a film that Bono co-wrote.

"Buena Vista Social Club" opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday.