Cuban Film Shows Raw Side of Life in Havana

Yahoo News (Reuters) ^ | July 29, 2003 | Anthony Boadle

[Destro]

Breaking news??????????

[LibFreeUSA]

Yes! When was the last time you learned of a film coming from Cuba where the truth is being told?

Up to this point, everything that's come out of that place has been Castro's propaganda, including the wonderful reports from Dan Rather and CNN.

[KevinDavis]

Including the latest James Bond movie. It only showed one aspect of Cuba. The supposed good side.

[LibFreeUSA]

No wonder. James Bond = fiction!

[Destro]

When you read the headline CUBA LIBRE!!!! let me know.

[whereasandsoforth]

I knew there had to be a catch! All this suffering is due to the United States and the forty-year-old embargo. Nevermind the fact Cuba trades with the rest of the world and could meet every need handily. Even the truth isn't the truth when it is sanctioned by a murdering communist dictator. I'll never understand why Cuba isn't our 51st state by now.

[LibFreeUSA]

There is no 'catch' here, if you can see what is really happening.

Yes, the Castro regime did not hold back the release of this film - but the reason is, even 'they' cannot hide the truth from their own subjects, and in their cynical and desperate attempt to mask this truth, they try to paste a rationale to their people (and to the world) that this is because of the US embargo.

[WorkingClassFilth]

LIES - DAMMIT - ALL LIES!

This is an obvious counter-revolutionary plot to defame the paradise that all of the world knows and loves. The producer is a bootlicking servant of rich capitalists who desire the entire supply of Cuban black beans and rice and transvestites for their own corrupt purposes.

Hide your eyes, fellow FReepers! I beg you, do not read such outrageous lies.

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Jimmuh:"Fidel, my countrymen don't like you much, but I love ya!"
Fidel:"Jimmuh, you are my favorite fool!"

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Fidel (ponders silently):"Jimmuh carries himself like an old woman. I may be an old, ruthless, tyrannical dictator, but I still know how to stand like a man."

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

Fidel::"Jimmuh, you look like an idiot! Wipe that stupid smile off your face!"
Jimmuh:"Yes, Fidel."

[daviddennis]

I went to Cuba in December of 2002.

They have $100,000 plus Volvo tour busses and $20,000 Audi A6s, all in service of their tourist industry.

The regime can get anything you're prepared to pay for - the Audi rents for around $100 a day.

The typical Cuban lives a Kafkaesque horror that mainly subsists off trying to extract what money they can from tourists. I know because I was one, and I both heard the horror stories and experienced them for myself.

You gotta love those Cubans, though. They do their best to keep their disposition cheerful and their heads above water. It really is an amazing place to visit.

But I can't do it again in good conscience; this year's jailing of dissidents, combined with Castro's support of Chavez, have told me to send my tourist dollars elsewhere.

It's a real shame, since it's such a beautiful and magical place. But I can tell you Communism doesn't work in ways few people here can.

You really have to live it to believe it.

D

PS Luis, this is a great article and deserves to be pinged to your regular list.

[finnman69]

4 words

corn
cob
toilet
paper

[Tamzee]

But, but... the lefties say that Cuba is a perfect utopia due to socialism. Some even talk about how they would love to live there one day... I'll help 'em pack ;-)

[O.C. - Old Cracker]

4 words:
corn
cob
toilet
paper

I have sent your name to former president Jimmuh Carter. As a spokesman for the Cuban government, Jimmuh flatly denies all allegations of repression by the loving and kind, president for life, Fidel Castro.

"If the average Cuban has to experience a little discomfort for the sake of the revolution, then that is a sacrifice I can live with." - President Jimmuh Carter.

[Luis Gonzalez]

As the man said, this is a great article.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I highly recommend three Cuban films:

• Azucar Amarga (Bitter Sugar)

• Fresas y Chocolate (Strawberries and Chocolate)

• Guantanamera (Woman From Guantanamo)

There is a fourth film "Before The Night Falls" that is stark in its depiction of the Cuban government, but it deals with Cuba's hadling of homosexuals...from what I've read in this forum these [ast few months, many would approve.

"Bitter Sugar" is incredible.

[Victoria Delsoul]

"It is not a film of smiles. The characters are real people who act out their lives that are full of difficulties, but they are characters that dream," Perez said.

It's not just a sad film, but sad lives. Thanks so much for the ping. Great article.

[Luis Gonzalez]

You are very welcome.

Signed,

Sybil

;-)