Una historia con Cristo y Jesus

The story revolves around two men who happen upon a chance meeting. Jesus and Christ. As the relationship develops we see the attraction from two opposite extremes. Jesus, the well groomed student with the absentee father and domineering mother and Christ, the pensive artistic survivor with no consistent support system, who seems to be living on the street.

The film begins with scenes of Christ suffering a harsh childhood. He never got over the loss of his mother; the one comforting memory he had left from a history of violence and sexual abuse. Jesus lives the opposite extreme with a judgmental and overbearing mother, who is very condescending of Christ's appearance and lifestyle. Never having to suffer such neglect or rejection, he admires Christ's resolve, a key dynamic in his attraction to him.

In some ways both men become "saviors". As Christ walks the streets and shows kindness among the "unclean" of Cuban society, Jesus become Christ's friend and pillar of strength. Christ is an angry young man. He wears it like a badge, never complacent to anyone's expectations. His love affair with Jesus becomes a positive encounter in his life to pacify his anger and sadness. And as if a crucifixion was eminent, the plot builds to its foreshadowed ending after a casual altercation with a troublemaker occurs.

The production quality was rich. The interior sets were lit like Caravaggio paintings, with at least one referencing his painting of St. Jerome. The Biblical metaphors were nicely handled, even revisiting Jesus Christ Superstar for a fleeting moment or two. The preparation of the 'last supper' and the mysterious person in black that appears in two of the scenes were perfectly subtle.

An almost operatic comparison is made to the sacrificial lamb as the plot comes to an end, when the tormented soul of Cristo is finally put to rest. Jesus arrives barely in time to see his lover's murder take place as Cristo tragically dies in the arms of his own savior.

Questions of identity in metamodern society are constantly emerging. With more tolerance comes more differentiation. A question: Is how we respect, define and celebrate our differences not what sets us apart to begin with? Are those efforts to be politically correct and tolerant, or accepting of different lifestyles, not the same efforts that will ultimately keep us divided? When will our "Gay" friends, or "Muslim" friends or "Black" friends finally become, just our friends?

E.J. Wickes/Cult Critic/CICFF

"Una Historia con Cristo y Jesús" "A Tale with Christ and Jesus"

By Genevieve K. Howe

"A Tale with Christ and Jesus" is a beautifully filmed commentary on the best and worst of humankind. In contemporary Cuba, two men fall passionately in love and commit to being together forever. Yet, the guts of this densely-packed homage to the arts are an unflinching attack on societal intolerances, and the absence of humanity wherever they lead to vilification or rejection of people who are different for any reason at all.

The story is by turns tragic and comedic, desolate and jubilant, despairing and hopeful. It illuminates the elevating powers of unquestioning acceptance and love, and the destructive powers of intolerance and hatred. As if that were not enough, the film soundly condemns the lowest of human behaviors, including the sexual abuse of children, while honoring the internal strength of those who suffer life-long pains inflicted upon them by others.

Oldren Romero ("Bad Luck"), a talented director, writer, actor and producer, tells his tale of Christ and Jesus through the hard realities of life in Cuba and through idyllic fantasies. His elegant film integrates religious symbols, romantic poetry, renaissance paintings, music, and the art of photography to reveal a unique cinematic experience.

"Anyone who carries the burdens of chronic suffering," according to Oldren Romero, "is a Christ."

Featuring: Hector Medina (Boleto al Paraíso / Ticket to Paradise), Dayron Moreno (Los Desastres de la Guerra / The Disasters of War), and a special performance by Laura de la Uz (Vestido de Novia / The Bride's Dress).