With the United States having recently re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba, and the embargo against the country could be lifted any time soon, this might change the playing field for Cuban cinema and its world exposure. Significantly, under the recent regulations, documentary film making in Cuba by US citizens will no longer require special permission – though, feature-length commercial films have not yet been specifically authorised.
However, a new horizon in film awaits to open, as more Hollywood directors are about to access Cuba. This island is a beautiful and unique location to film in, with iconic colonial buildings, stunning beaches and areas of unspoiled natural beauty. And just imagine, Oliver Stone won’t have to worry about fines anymore.
We’ve selected some old greats to give you a sampling of what to expect.
I Am Cuba (Soy Cuba)
This is without a doubt one of the most luscious propaganda pieces ever committed to film. Directed by Soviet film maker Mikhail Kalatozov, I Am Cuba is an unabashed propaganda film that uses amazing film making techniques to glorify Castro and the revolution that created the Communist government that still has Cuba in its grasp today.
Che: Part One
Steven Soderbergh brings all his gifts to bear in this glorious biopic of Cuban revolutionary Che Guevera. With the incomparable talent Benecio del Toro portraying Che, the movie is a must-see for anyone with even a passing interest in Cuba.
Memories of Underdevelopment
Adapted from the novel of Edmundo Desnoes, the film is another of the most-praised films that concern the aftermath of the revolution. Director Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, who is considered by most Cuban film critics as the finest Cuban filmmaker of all-time, gives audiences a tale of a middle-class intellectual who faces a new post-revolution reality that is not what he expected.
Before Night Falls
This Julian Schnabel’s directorial debut uses the epic setting in the aftermath of the Cuban Revolution, depicting the harsh realities of the newly formed Cuban Communist regime with remarkable deftness. Starring the Academy Award-winning actor Javier Bardem, the film tells the story of the struggles of the poet Reinaldo Arenas.
Buena Vista Social Club
The documentary follows the efforts of the famous Cuban musician Ry Cooder to bring back together forgotten musical treasures from Cuba’s musical past to record a CD. Cooder travels through Havana to bring musical legends together, and in the process he resurrects their careers. The musicians not only are filmed playing beautiful music, but they are also interviewed by director Wim Wenders about their experiences during and following the revolution.