7 jours à la Havane

Seven directors shoots his own style films within a shared setting (Havana), by seven parts of just one flowing story in which characters are placed more than one part. Hence, this movie can't be degraded to be a collage; contrary, it is like a single feature-length in which visual narration style is changed according to story's flowing.

Suleiman and Tabio's parts are my favourites.

Absolutely should be seen.

I watched 7 days in Havana as omnibus connected together by Havana, not by a plot. Young American and Emir Kusturica helped me to travel into the city myself and to enjoy in it on the similar way as when I was really there. I did not expect from characters in the movie to make a coherent story as for me this movie in his big part is a documentary. Characters represent how somebody Cuban living there feels, which are his main joys, sufferings and believes. Also how does feel somebody coming there from outside. Bad side of the movie for me was our famous director Kusturica acting himself in alcoholism and on ego trip, also contributing to documentary, it would be better if he was more fictional. The ritual of Santeria was the most documentary part for me as I have never seen it on the screen. This contrast: Christianity and African magic changing for centuries but still alive for me is one of the strongest impressions. Also dilemma of Young beautiful singer that is certainly dilemma of many talented Cuban people for me was so important as it was the beauty of her and her sexy boyfriend. The beauty of the city, of its people and their music are the point for me and they can really satisfy somebody who can be patient enough to see all these kinds of Havana beauty and enjoy in it.

Magnificent, but clearly not for many that are expecting to see a Hollywood action movie. I highly recommend it to people that are looking for moments that touch the soul. 7 dias en La Habana did that for me. Enjoy!

This movie has gotten overall bad reviews. It is in fact uneven, as you might expect from 7 directors handling 7 segments to some extent intermingled.

If you don't understand enough Spanish to follow the Cuban dialog, I am sure a lot gets lost in translation. Others complain the film tells them nothing new.

From my perspective, with some familiarity with Cuban culture, down to the iconic Hotel Nacional featured in the film (where I stayed for 3 mights in 2011), I can only say that I may have learned little that is new but through most of the film, the vibrancy, the music, the sensuality, the sheer joy and pain of the Cuban experience shone through and it touched my soul.

I wanted to like this movie. And I did. Sort of - about half of the novels are good. The other ones are simply weak. And, as previous reviewer mentioned, there is a disconnect after the second novel, and I had to bridge the gaps in my own imagination.

But despite this, and despite the lack of one common story, there is a humour, there is a feeling and flavor of Cuba. And, as Havana is an eclectic mix of languages, cultures and ideologies, so is this movie. So, in a strange way, it fits.

Not a masterpiece, but has its good moments. Personally, I expected to hear much more music, though.