Text: Julie Schwietert Collazo
*
The Havana Film Festival of New York kicks off tonight with a cocktail reception and the screening of four short films: “G Boys” (from Puerto Rico); “The Sad Churro Family” (from Puerto Rico); “Hispaniola” (Dominican Republic); and “Crossing Numbers” (a joint production between the US and Spain).
Francisco and I will be there–and at other events held in conjunction with the festival, which runs through the 23rd of this month–but in advance of the festival’s official opening, we thought we’d share a few of our favorite films made in and about Cuba:
“Inventos: Hip Hop Cubano”: If you’re at all interested in rap or hip-hop, you’ll be interested in the still unfolding story of Cuban hip-hop told in “Inventos.” If you’re interested in traditional Cuban music, you’re equally likely to find this documentary interesting. The word “inventos” refers to the inventive approaches the musicians have to take to play and perform: from fabricating parts to fix broken sound systems to cajoling local politicians to permit the now-famous hip hop festival to go on.
“Balseros”: This documentary focuses on Cubans who left the island bound for the US on homemade rafts during the 1994 exodus. The “Balseros” exodus was the most recent mass exodus by sea from Cuba.
“Yank Tanks”: This documentary is a must-see for classic car lovers, but if you don’t consider yourself an auto aficionado (I don’t), you’ll probably enjoy “Yank Tanks,” too. Learn all the tricks Cubans use to keep 1950s era cars running, and you’ll get a peek into the daily life that requires all sorts of “inventos.”
“Cuba Mia”: Another music-related documentary, “Cuba Mia” profiles the all-female orchestra, Camerata Romeu. What I love about this documentary is the way it shows how integral music is–whatever the genre–to daily life in Cuba. As a young woman practices her violin on the balcony of her apartment building, no neighbors shout for her to stop. Instead, they come out on their own balconies or into the courtyard and listen with reverence and joy.
“A Night in Havana”: Dizzy Gillespie in Cuba”: See what happens when musicians dare to cross borders that politicians build.
“La Tropical”: Yet another music documentary (this one about the famous El Tropical night club), but also so much more, this is an astute social commentary about (among other topics) contemporary race dynamics in Cuba.
“Cuban Story”: Described by one reviewer as “One of the oddest pieces of film to come down in the pike in a while,” this documentary made by Victor Pahlen and Errol Flynn and found by Pahlen’s daughter, Kyra, after his death, is a historical treasure and, especially in the beginning, is great for some pot-shot laughs. A seemingly drunk and loopy Flynn narrates–complete with chalkboard sized map, wooden pointer, and props. What’s interesting though, is that the film was made in 1958 and 1959, right in the midst of the Revolution’s triumph, and Flynn, as he says, “went to see for myself” what was going on. [Update 08.09.09: I'd recommend this documentary, but Pahlen's daughter just e-mailed and requested that the video we originally included--available for Creative Commons use via YouTube--be removed. Not too smart on her part, but request granted.]
What are your favorite Cuban films? Share them below!
