VivirLatino

Cuba without words

15:26 H | Topics: Cuba - Movies

Checking out another Latino blog, I was reminded of a very moving film I saw on television when I was in Spain a few months ago. It's called "Suite Habana" and it's a documentary -- made with no dialogue whatsoever -- which chronicles a day in the life of some of La Habana's inhabitants.

...the characterization of each person is patiently constructed as morning passes to afternoon, afternoon to night. Just a sampling: a hospital launderer by day performs in drag by night; a railroad mechanic plays saxophone in his church's choir; a young man does carpentry work on his family's home before dancing ballet; an elderly woman keeps house for grandson and husband before painting in night's silence.

What could be a very tedious film -- a lot of scenes are shot in real time with little editing -- is just the opposite. I was sucked in from the first moment by the voyeuristic feeling that this type of filmmaking gives you and the trueness of the characters. They exude authenticity because they are caught on film just living their daily lives.

The film, shot in 2003, seems to be pretty much unavailable here in the U.S., though it was shown at the Havana Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. If you have the opportunity to see it, do, because it's a very rare and objective (as much as it can be) glimpse into the lives of Cubans on the island, and doesn't get bogged down with politics. Sometimes silence is the best way to communicate.

Via / OffOffOff

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• Are Cubanos Real Estate Mavens? (Monday, Jan 28 2008)