BS: Recommended viewing

Subject: Recommended viewing
From: DougR
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 12:52 AM

A few months ago there was a spirited discussion in one of the political threads about the joys of living in Cuba. Today I saw a movie, based on fact, that presents a bit different view of Cuban life, particularlyl for artists and homosexuals in particular, than that portrayed by some mudcatters who had vacationed there. L.H., in particular was enamored of the place, as I recall.

The movie: "Before Night Falls." It is a new release on DVD, and I'm sure it's probably available on VHS.

I thought it a very good, but depressing movie. I'd be interested in others seeing it (perhaps many have) and would welcome reading their opinions.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Billy the Bus
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:16 AM

Doug,

I don't have TV, so can't check out the programme you talk of. But I have a wireless. Cuba has cropped up a bit recently. Seems the "Bay of Pigs" is into a re-run?

Here's a toast to Che Guivarra (Spp?) etc...

Oh, what the hell'''' Sam

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Peg
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:44 AM

I loved this film! It is absolutely engrossing and beautiful. VERY highly recommended!!!

Peg, erstwhile film critic

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: DougR
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:24 PM

Hi Sam, I doubt the film has been released to telly anyway. Certainly it is a film that will never be on Cuban television.

Peg: I thought it was one of the best films I've seen this year. It's such a small film, I doubt many people will see it, but just to think ...crowds are crowding into theaters to see "Pearl Harbor." Sad.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: annamill
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:38 PM

I have this movie in my video store and it is doing well. It goes out a lot and the biggest reaction is that it is a excellent movie, but very intense. I haven't had a chance to see it, but when I do, it is one that is at the top of my list.

Annamill

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: DougR
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:42 PM

annamill: I'll be interested in your reaction to it.

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: annamill
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 01:45 PM

I'll let you know how I feel about it.

Annamill.

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Roger in Sheffield
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 02:59 PM

I would like to see it

but until then can I hijack your thread a little (please?), I just need to get this off my chest OK

I did see the other day a (history channel?) program about Guatemala, how depressing was that?, a countries leader overthrown by the undercover activities of the US - for bananas!!

The strangest thing, on the program I saw, was how one of the (CIA?) men interviewed seemed to find the whole thing funny - how easily, and cheaply it had been achieved, how easily the reporters and the public had been fooled

Looks like these days Cuba locks dissenters up, while in Guatemala they are killed.

I take it Cuba is a very religious country? Lets face it most religions and homosexuality don't get on, even in the US kids still get killed for being Gay don't they? Over here in the UK too

Sorry for ranting off topic, I will take a look at the film, the reviews look favourable

Roger

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 03:13 PM

Roger, the US-engineered coup in Guatemala was a tragedy in another respect -- because of the relative ease with which the US government accomplished its objectives in Guatemala, we decided that installing puppet regimes in other countries would be a great way to conduct US foreign policy. Led to a lot of tragedies before we started to rethink the lessons of Guatemala. David Halberstam's excellent book "The Fifties" had a pretty sobering account of all this.

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Bagpuss
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 04:20 PM

On a vaguely related note, the only film that has ever made me cry (well apart from Cyrano de Bergerac) is Ken Loach's "Carla's Song" partially set in Nicaragua when you know who got *involved*. I highly recommend it.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Maryrrf
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 04:27 PM

As an American who traveled pretty extensively in Guatemala, Panama, Dominican Republic and El Salvador I can certainly confirm that we left a very messy legacy through our meddling. And there's always been the doubt in my mind as to whether or not Castro would have taken as hard a line as he did had not the US tried to strangle Cuba economically after the Revolution.

Subject: RE: BS: Recommended viewing
From: Little Hawk
Date: 05 Jun 01 - 11:14 PM

If the USA had not tried to strangle them it would have been radically different. Castro was eager for good relations with the USA, but that wasn't in the cards.

The attitude in Cuba toward gays is very hostile, as is the case in many Latin American countries. It's partly the religious heritage (which is strong and very traditional), and it's partly the Latin macho attitude toward gender roles, which is likewise very traditional.

As for artists, they tend to be people who question the status quo...and in Cuba, as in many other Latin American countries, to do that is to put yourself at risk. I met young artists who were quite upset about that in Cuba, and I don't blame them.

There are a number of much worse places "south of the border" than Cuba, and they are all US allies at this time.

I still love Cuba, partly because I know some wonderful people down there, which always helps.

Thanks, Doug, I will check out this movie.

- LH