Suite Habana

It only took to see the trailer for me to break in tears.

I don't know to what point the movie is selfish in a way that if you never had to live in Cuba, the film can be "just a bit plain" and nothing else, the film will unfold flat before your eyes. However for "the others" the ones "had to leave" but lived there, every shot, every image and every sound counts. The Lighthouse at "El Morro", the Malecon, those delicious Cafe con Leches in the morning and sandwiches at lunch (if lucky) can mean a whole different deal. It was hard to watch the airport lounges and the runway, and the guy getting on the plane. Also the part where you can see an old Silvio still singing "Mariposas" after so many years, Is tough for anyone to go back and think of those moments, or think of the people that we left behind.

It is necessary to have a very good imagination and knowledge of the scenarios in order to make such a shocking and interesting film without any dialogue. It only shows the lives and daily tasks of several people in Havana. I do not say "poor" people because I do not know who is rich or wealthy in Havana. The director showed the reality of the lives of these people, and I do not agree with those who say that this film was to denounce the critical poor situation in Cuba. No, showing the reality and the truth cannot be a denunciation. The fact is that here one can observe how Havana is coming down day by day, it is a city showing the same level of destruction of any other city that suffered war. However, Havana never suffered any war. The houses of the town are in a very tragic situation, colorless and the walls demanding immediate restoration. It is sad to see the walking sides of Malecón avenue with its stony walls in very bad state. And the people are poorer than ever. It will take decades to restore Havana city and the country. It is amazingly incredible that Academy Awards of 2003 did not include this film among the candidates for the best foreign film. Let´s hope it can be included for the next 2004. The film is very original and an excellent material for all those who want to know the present Cuba.

Its so easy to fall in the typical Cuban clichés, both for the filmmakers and for the viewers watching it. But Suite Habana is a beautiful movie. It doesn't talk about poor people. It talks about Cuban people. Its not against Fidel. Its just a quasi documentarian effort to tell the daily story of Cubans. Its the story of geographical separation. There are more than 5 million of Cubans living in exile. There's the story of a clown who has to work just hours after he said goodbye to his brother at the airport. There's the story of the Cuban couple that spends the entire day planning and setting up their night: going to dance "casino" to a club. Their only escape. In that country where Cubans get paid in "Pesos" and almost all the clubs have to be paid in "dollars" while 1 Dollar = 24 Pesos. Its the story of a talented ballet dancer who has to live an odissey to arrive to the "Gran Teatro de La Habana" for his show. In that same country where you have to ask the taxi driver where is HE going and not the other way. Because in Cuba the taxis for Cubans never go where you want to, they have their own routes whether is convenient or not. It doesn't matter. Thats why I say that its quasi docuemtarian because it tells stories that really happens. But despite of all this, Its beautiful. And its beautiful because it reflects how Cubans manage to find beauty everywhere. How they manage to keep dancing and smiling. How they manage to write tremendous novels. To make great films, to make great music. You have to watch this film. Technically its great. La Habana is one of the most photogenic cities in the world. But run 90 minutes without a dialogue its amazing. It keeps you interested, excited, emotive. Its a great great movie. Watch it!

A visual feast. Shows the lives of modern Cubans living in Havana during their daily routines. The music is wonderful and the editing is superb. There is no dialogue, the director relies on visual images along with some explanatory titles to tell the tale. A minimalist approach that works incredibly well!

Grateful to Instituto Cervantes to bring this gem of a film to the Philippines ; a must see ; the soundtrack is also great. All the characters are really touching, especially the widower and his son. The film shows people struggling with their professional and private lives (a young construction worker who is also a ballet dancer !). Not knowing Cuba, I was wondering if contemporary Cuba is really like this : even the fridges are 1950s "vintage" ! Strangely enough, the films brought sadness and joy (or hope at least) at the same time and made me want to visit Cuba. 9/10