Cuba in Harlem: A Documentary Retrospective
January 23-31
Presented by The Maysles Cinema and the Center for Cuban Studies
Cuba in Harlem proceeds will go toward rebuilding the Gibara Cultural Center in Cuba. The Gibara Cultural Center was destroyed during the recent series of three hurricanes (Gustav, Ike, Paloma) suffered by Cuba and is the site of the annual Cine Pobre Festival of independent films.
See the schedule after the jump.
Friday, Jan. 23
7:00 pm -10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
(Opening Reception with Cubanos and Cocktails)
7:00 pm Cuba: Caminos de la Revolucion Dir. Rebeca Chavez, 2004, 5 min segment
Fidel Castro in the Sierra Maestra before taking power.
7:10 pm Cuban Story Dir. Victor Pahlen, 1959, 20 min. segment
Pahlen, a Hollywood producer ends up in the middle of the revolution with Errol Flynn.
7:35 pm Yanki No! Dir. Robert Drew, 1960, 20 min.
This 20-minute segment documents the early relationship between the Cuban Revolution and the U.S.
8:00 pm The War on Illiteracy 2008, 33 min.
On arguably the greatest single achievement of the Cuban Revolution
8:35 pm Crisis de Octubre Dir. Jorge Fuentes, 52 min.
This Cuban documentary covers the scariest moment in U.S.-Cuba relations – The Missile Crisis of October 1962.
Crisis de Octubre
Saturday, Jan. 24
1:00 pm -6:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
1:00 pm Fidel Dir. Saul Landau, 1969, 95 min.
More than a portrait of Fidel, this is a portrait of the revolution at year 10, narrated by its leader.
2:40 pm Ella vendia coquitos (She Sold Candies)
Dir. Gerardo Chijona, 1986, 12 min. (Spanish)
A portrait of a young woman trained as an engineer who, facing discriminationin the workplace, decides she’s better off making sweets at home.
2:55 pm The Uncompromising Revolution Dir. Saul Landau, 1988, 54 min.
Nearly 20 years later, Landau and Castro take up where they left off, discussing the many problems encountered in the course of the nearly 30 years of revolution.
3:55 pm Quietos Ya, (Hold It Now!) Dir. Guillermo Torres, 1988, 10 min.
This short is about the street photographers in Havana’s Parque Central.
4:10 pm Revolucion: Five Visions Dir. Nicole Catell, 2006, 57 min.
Portraits of five Cuban photographers and their very different takes on the Cuban Revolution. Dir. available for Q&A
5:15 pm Mama se va a la guerra (Mama Goes to War)
Dir. Guillermo Centeno,1984, 16 min. (Spanish)
Ordinary Cuban women being trained for the “people’s militia.”
5:50 pm Estetica (Esthetics) Dir. Enrique Colina, 1985, 11 min. (Spanish)
Cuba’s leading film historian takes a turn as director to look at popular beauty customs.
Revolucion: Five Visions
Saturday, Jan. 24
7:00 pm -10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
7:00 pm Fidel Dir. Estela Bravo, 1992, 91 min.
Criticized as nothing more than a love poem to Fidel Castro, the film is a necessary corrective of U.S. audiences.
8:35 pm The Man of Two Havanas Dir. Vivien Lesnik Weisman, 2007, 96 min.
A Cuban American daughter’s effort to understand her father’s passion for his native land.
The Man of Two Havanas
Sunday, Jan. 25
1:00 pm -5:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
1:00 pm Cuba Amor Dir. Toshi Matsushita, 1995, 38 min.
A musical travelogue.
1:45 pm Miami-Havana Dir. Estela Bravo, 1992, 60 min.
A moving documentary about one of the saddest results of the Cuban Revolution – divided families, divided loyalties, divided politics.
2:50 pm Los Zafiros: Music from the Edge of Time Dir Lorenzo DeStefano, 2007, 80 min.
Portrait of a famous pop group The Sapphires.
4:00 pm “El otro lado de cristal” (The Other Side of the Glass)
Dirs. Guillermo Centeno and Maria Ochoa, 1995, 60 min.
A documentary about “Operation Peter Pan” which brought thousands of Cuban children to the U.S.
Los Zafiros
Monday, Jan. 26
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
7:00 pm Alas Cuba Dir. Roberto Chile, 2008, 26 min. (Spanish)
12 contemporary Cuban artists, including Kcho, Fuster, William Perez and others.
7:30 pm A Cuban Legend: The Story of Salvador Gonzalez
Dir. Bette Wanderman, 2005, 80 min.
This is as much about the Santeria religion which Salvador practices as it is about the artist. Director available for Q&A
9:15 pm Jose Fuster: Guajiro de la costa (Fuster: Farmer from the Coast)
Dir Roberto Chile, 2004, 8 min.
A portrait of one of Cuba’s best-loved artists, often called the Picasso of the Caribbean.
9:30 pm Motivaciones (Motives)
Dir. Marisol Trujillo, 1988, 15 min. (Spanish)
Manuel Mendive on how his first trip to Africa inspired his painting.
A Cuban Legend: The Story of Salvador Gonzales
Tuesday, Jan. 27
7:00 pm -10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
7:00 pm Great Day in Havana Dir. Laurie Ann Schag & Casey Stoll, 2001, 83 min.
Several of Cuba’s best artists and musicians talk about the ups and downs of cultural life in Cuba.
8:30 pm Suite Habana
Dir. Fernando Perez, 2003, 87 min.
Perez follows several Habaneros through their “lucha en la calle” typical day.
Suite Habana
Wednesday, Jan. 28
7:00 pm -10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
The New York Film and Video Council Screening
With Reception
7:00 pm With a Stroke of the Chaveta Dir. Pamela Sporn, 2007, 28 min.
The practice of reading classic works of literature to workers at cigar factories dates back to the mid-1800s. With a Stroke of the Chaveta explores this tradition.
7:30 pm East of Havana
Dir. Emilia Menocal and Jauretsi Saizarbitoria, 2006, 82 min.
East of Havana is a blunt, unflinching close-up on the lives and friendship of three young rappers compelled to address their generation’s future.
Dir. Jauretsi Saizarbitoria and Cuban Hip Hop artist and expert Ariel Fernandez will be available for Q&A
East of Havana
Thursday,Jan. 29
7:00 pm -10:30 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
7:00 pm Salud! Dir. Connie Field, 2006, 93 min.
This film outlines Cuba’s commitment to international solidarity in the medical field.
8:35 pm A veces miro mi vida (Sometimes I Look at My Life)
Dir. Orlando Rojas, 1982, 79 min.
This portrait of Harry Belafonte was made in Cuba while Belafonte was on tour.
10:00 pm Sonata for the Left Hand Dir. Sarah Harbin, 1999, 20 min.
New York piano tuner Benjamin Treuhaft takes pianos and fellow tuners to Cuba.
Salud!
Friday, Jan. 30
7:00 pm -10:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
7:00 pm El que siempre pierda (The One Who Always Loses)
Dir. Guillermo Torres, 1988, 8 min. (Spanish)
A look at umpires who work with Cuban teams.
7:10 pm Fuera de Liga (Dreaming in Blue) Dir. Ian Padron, 2008, 70 min.
This documentary about Cuba’s national sport won first prize at the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame’s 2008 film festival.
8:25pm Mariposas en el Andamio (Butterflies on the Scaffolding)
Dirs. Margaret Gilpin and Luis Felipe Bernaza, 1995, 74 min.
A delightful look at drag queens in the working class community of La Guinera.
Dreaming in Blue
Saturday, Jan. 31
1:00 pm -5:00 pm
CUBA IN HARLEM: A DOCUMENTARY RETROSPECTIVE
(Closing Reception with Cubanos and Cocktails)
Saturday schedule subject to change/additions:
1:00 pm Havana Nagila Laura Paull, 1995, 57 min.
The history of Jews in Cuba.
2:00 pm Pablo Milanes en vivo (Pablo Milanes Live) 60 min.
A 2004 concert in Plaza Espana, Santo Domingo.
3:05 pm Chano Pozo Dir. Rebeca Chavez, 1987, 27 min. (Spanish)
A portrait of the great Cuban musician.
Havana Naglia
Mayles Cinema is located at 343 Malcolm X Boulevard / Lenox Avenue (between 127th and 128th Streets)
Suggested Admission: $7. Box office opens 1 hour before show time.
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