East of Havana

Fredens port(en)

In a culture where cremation is unusual, cemeteries fill up rapidly. In Latin America and in some other places, to solve the problem, remains are frequently exhumed. In Cuba, two year after interment. Relatives are invited to observe the little ritual. The music of the film is drawn from requiems from different periods. Twelve pieces by seven different composers are quoted. Together, they make up a traditional requiem, although only a few passages from the "dies irae" have been included, and other sections are slightly abbreviated.

Night Is Not Eternal(en)

For seven years, award-winning Chinese-American filmmaker Nanfu Wang follows Rosa María Payá, daughter of the five time Nobel Peace Prize nominated activist, Oswaldo Payá, in Rosa's fight for democratic change in Cuba. Rosa's narrative is interwoven with Wang's poignant reflections on her Chinese upbringing and her observations of eroding democratic norms in the U.S., revealing unsettling similarities to the authoritarian system she left behind.

Castro: The World's Most Watched Man(es)

Fidel Castro employed a vast spy network that helped him remain in power.

Nobody(es)

Half blind and half deaf, ostraziced Cuban writer Rafael Alcides tries to finish his unpublished novels to discover that after several decades, the home made ink from the typewriter he used to write them has faded. The Cuban revolution as a love story and eventual deception is seen through the eyes of a man who is living an inner exile.

90 Miles(en)

Having grown up within the Cuban Revolution, in 1980, Juan Carlos Zaldívar was a 13-year-old "pioneer" jeering in the streets at the thousands of "Marielitos" leaving the island by boat for the United States. Within weeks, he was a Marielito himself, headed with the rest of his family for a new life in Miami. Now a U.S.-based filmmaker, Zaldívar recounts the strange twist of fate that took him across one of the world's most treacherous stretches of water in 90 Miles, a new documentary having its broadcast premiere on PBS's acclaimed P.O.V. series in the summer of 2003. As related by Zaldívar in the intensely personal and evocative 90 Miles, arrival in South Florida is only the beginning of the family's struggles to comprehend the full meaning of their passage into exile. What follows is an intimate and uneasy accounting of the historical forces that have split the Cuban national family in two, and which shape the passage of values from one generation to the next.

Buena Vista Social Club(en)

In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group's gigs in Amsterdam and New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music -- but also the musicians' life stories.

COOCUYO(es)

COOCUYO. To quote a Cuban comedian: “where does the Cocuyo hide its battery?”, just thanks to its peculiarity, Desiderio uses this cockroach as a perfect metaphor to describe his protagonists: with their green lights during the night and virtually impossible to find during the day. In his movie, he tries to find the battery of the Cocuyo living and looking for the “day-time” part, creating a path made by portraits and with an anti-narrative style. These scenes are far away from the Electronic music, or partly at least; all in a very natural context and without a defined screenplay. http://www.coocuyo.com/

CBS Reports: The CIA's Secret Army(en)

This program examines Cuban exile terrorists living in Miami. These terrorists were secretly trained and employed by the U.S. government in the early 1960s to fight Fidel Castro. Now, without U.S. support, terrorist activities continue in Miami and Latin America. The program reviews secret U.S. policies toward Cuba in the 1960s and includes interviews with Castro and former top CIA officials. Members of this group, formerly secretly trained and employed by U.S. Government until 1967, have been active in Watergate crimes and anti-Castro terrorism including bomb explosion on Cuban Airline killing seventy-three. Includes interviews with Castro, E. Howard Hunt, Bernard Barker, and Rolando Martinez.' - The Paley Center For Media

Cuban Rafters(es)

The story of Cuban refugees who risked their lives in homemade rafts to reach the United States, and what life is like for those who succeed.

Cuba's Wild Revolution(en)

As the largest island in the Caribbean, Cuba is host to spectacular wildlife found nowhere else on the planet: from the jumping crocodiles of the Zapata swamp to the world's tiniest hummingbird, from thousands of migrating crabs to giant, bat-eating boas that lie in wait for easy prey. Decades of a socialist, conservation-minded government, American embargoes and minimal development have left the island virtually unchanged for 50 years. As international relations ease, what will become of this wildlife sanctuary?

Give Me Future: Major Lazer in Cuba(en)

In the spring of 2016, global music sensation Major Lazer performed a free concert in Havana, Cuba—an unprecedented show that drew an audience of almost half a million. This concert documentary evolves into an exploration of youth culture in a country on the precipice of change.

Sicko(en)

A documentary about the corrupt health care system in The United States who's main goal is to make profit even if it means losing people’s lives. "The more people you deny health insurance the more money we make" is the business model for health care providers in America.

Jeronimo(en)

Born to Korean immigrant parents freed from indentured servitude in early twentieth century Mexico, Jerónimo Lim Kim joins the Cuban Revolution with his law school classmate Fidel Castro and becomes an accomplished government official in the Castro regime, until he rediscovers his ethnic roots and dedicates his later life to reconstructing his Korean Cuban identity. After Jerónimo's death, younger Korean Cubans recognize his legacy, but it is not until they are presented with the opportunity to visit South Korea that questions about their mixed identity resurface.

On Sugar Workers' Quarters(es)

Documentary about the history of the bateyes, informal settlements surrounding the mills to house workers. Throughout the film, Sara Gómez recovers the political and cultural relevance of black migrants.

Cuba's Cancer Hope(en)

When the U.S. trade embargo left Cuba isolated from medical resources, Cuban scientists were forced to get creative. Now they've developed lung cancer vaccines that show so much promise, some Americans are defying the embargo and traveling to Cuba for treatment. In an unprecedented move, Cuban researchers are working with U.S. partners to make the medicines more widely available.

Cuban Dancer(en)

Alexis, a talented and proud student of the National Ballet School of Cuba, spends his life practicing chassé and entrechats with his girlfriend and dance partner Yelenia. However, when his family moves to Florida to be reunited with his sister, he must adjust his expectations and dreams to a radically new environment. Alexis, facing rejection and homesick for his native Cuba, feels lost and alone. He must find his way in the world of American ballet while remaining faithful to his roots.

Chico & Rita(es)

Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment.

Namibia: Cuba’s Female Boxing Revolution(en)

The short film captures the tireless battle of Namibia Flores Rodriguez, the only known female boxer in the Caribbean nation. Training at Havana’s Rafael Trejo arena in defiance of the ban, the athlete undertakes the same unrelenting regime as her male counterparts—running the same circuits, lifting the same truck tires—but without the hope that she might one day represent her country.

Fidel: The Untold Story(en)

Documentary about Fidel Castro, covering 40 years of Cuban Revolution. Rare Fidel Castro footage: he appears swimming with a bodyguard, visiting his childhood home and school, playing with his friend Nelson Mandela, meeting kid Elián Gonzalez, and celebrating his birthday with the Buena Vista Social Club group.

Cuba and the Cameraman(en)

This revealing portrait of Cuba follows the lives of Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his policies over the last four decades.

The Terry Fox Story(en)

The true story about the Canadian cancer amputee hero who decided to run across Canada on only one leg to raise money for cancer research.

Strange Object(en)

An archival investigation into the imperial image-making of the RAF ‘Z Unit’, which determined the destruction of human, animal and cultural life across Somaliland, as well as Africa and Asia.

Six: Inside(en)

Delves deep into the anxiety, thrill and uncertainty of six aspiring animation artists as they are plunged into the twelve-week trial-by-fire that is the NFB's Hothouse for animation filmmakers.

Act(en)

An intimate conversation between a teenage couple is played out directly to camera. As we look into their eyes and faces we begin to see hidden motives at play, far removed from the naively idealised surface... Is it all just an act?

Never and Again(en)

Kevin and Jasmine, teenagers with equal passion for each other's dreams, fall head over heels in love with each other, but tragedy and one horrible lapse in judgment tear them apart. Many years later, Kevin and Jasmine have to trust one another after their paths cross again. They find out whether or not their first love is strong enough to save them now.

Monsieur Pointu(fr)

Monsieur Pointu would like to play his fiddle. But the fiddle has other ideas.

The Stranger's Hand(en)

Eight-year-old Roger Court is in Venice expecting to reunite with his father, British diplomat Major Court (Trevor Howard), whom he hasn't seen in three years. Roger lives with his Aunt Rose since his mother abandoned him.

Johnny the Giant Killer(fr)

Johnny and his friends embark on a journey to rid their land of an evil giant. While inside the giant's castle, the children are trapped by the giant and put through a magical shrinking machine. Johnny narrowly escapes the castle, but he is now the size of a small insect. Johnny will find that the world of insects is no picnic. The bees are feuding with the hornets, and Johnny is right in the middle of it. Johnny must now gain the trust of the insects to help him rescue his friends from the giant. Can he do it in time?

Hold My Hand(en)

Eddie Marston is wealthy and kind, but his affairs are rapidly descending into chaos. Who can help him?

Little Love(en)

Little Love is a ten minute short that explores the complications of friendship and relationships. Set in contemporary Los Angeles.

Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter(en)

The sequel to "A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story" in which Betty Broderick is on trial for the murder of her ex-husband and his new wife.

Arrhythmia(en)

Karl, a university professor, suffers a cardiac arrhythmia which leads to the realization that his heartbeats mark a mysterious numerical code, the coordinates of a far place with a lighthouse by the sea. Karl embarks on a trip to Sicily to decipher the mystery and without knowing it, faces his past.

This Love Is from Another Planet(es)

Iván decides to propose to Natalia, a creative and intelligent artist, despite the fact that they have been dating for a few months.

Screaming Eagles(en)

A group of young soldiers parachute into France in preparation for D-Day.

Deadly Exposure(en)

A man endangers his own life when he uncovers an assassination plot while investigating his father's death

Blue Mountains(hi)

Just like the changing colors of the Blue Mountains through the changing seasons, the film explores changing human emotions and journeys beyond mere winning or losing in life.

Neve(it)

Adolescence(ro)

"This wonderful age in life where every thought strives toward an ideal, toward work, toward the future." Sahia Studios propaganda flick about how adults and their "those darn kids" attitudes affect adolescents.

Blood Andy(nl)

A young aggressive man from a small town goes to Amsterdam. He attacks several people, finds a girlfriend and takes her back home. Because of his misbehavior, this friendship ends soon afterwards.

Fé nos Burros(pt)

A Photography and Video project conducted in partnership with AEPGA (Association for the Study and Protection of Asininio Livestock) and the Municipality of Alfândega da Fé in Northeast Portugal, Faith in Donkeys seeks to enhance the complicity of the man-animal relation, with particular relevance to the dumb, donkeys, mules and males, leaning on the present reality, and its cultural & social legacy.