film about friendship, not politics
Added 9/20/2009
I was pleasantly surprised by this film, which I rented from our local library. It is not about politics at all, and it focuses on the friendship of a young boy and girl. The plot is basically that the girl's mother is going to marry a foreigner and move to the USA, but she wants to stay in Cuba with her friends. Her mother has to get a note signed by the father allowing them to move abroad. The girl undertakes a trip with her friend across the island country to get to the father before the letter arrives, so she can ask him not to sign the letter. I enjoyed the scenery and how this film shows that all children pretty much act the same, regardless of politics or nationality. It is a very funny film, especially when it shows how the children have to cope with trying to find food so that they can complete their journey. I highly recommend this film to anyone. Put your political hang-ups aside, and just enjoy this film.
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One of the best indie films I've ever seen
Added 9/3/2009
A few years ago, I took a female friend (Latin-American) to watch the SF Asian-American Film Festival. In turn, she took me to watch the SF International Film Festival and Viva Cuba was one the films we watched. I only read the blurb about the movie in the program but otherwise did not know what to expect.
I was stunned by the story of the two young kids who strove to preserve their friendship despite the many challenges that they faced. However, the one that that stood out was the ending of the movie. Without giving anytime away, the ending was ambiguous yet appropriate. The two young kids were determined to remain friends forever.
I highly recommend this film to everyone!
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viva cuba movie
Added 7/8/2009
I rented this DVD and then had to buy it. I teach High School Spanish and show my students movies sometimes that are about Spanish culture.
I have shown this movie in 2007 and 2008. My students loved it. They laughed out loud. They were not happy with the ending but that is typical of teenagers. They always want a happy ending. I have difficulty finding movies I can show because so many are R rated. This one is wonderful. I highly recommend it for any Spanish class.
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Wonderful acting and images of Cuba
Added 4/22/2009
This film tells the story of two unlikely friends from different social and political backgrounds. When Malu's mother wants to leave Cuba, she runs away with her friend Jorgito to try to prevent her father from signing the documents permitting her to leave the country.
The acting by the children is top-rate. They effectively demonstrate the innocent moments of childhood, the pain at being unrecognized by adults, the quick swings from friends to enemies.
As they travel across the country, viewers take in vivid scenes of beaches, forests and towns.
A beautiful story about a friendship, childhood and life in Cuba, this is well worth watching.
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A Beautiful and Bittersweet Movie
Added 4/2/2009
Malu and Jorgito were close friends despite their economical and political backgrounds. Malu's mother and Jorgito's mother were not on friendly terms becuase of their social and political differences. Malu's mother wanted her daughter to associate with people who were more upwardly mobile. She went through great lengths to ensure that her daughter would grow up to be a mature, young lady--English class, ballet, and piano. Jorgito's parents, although married, have marital problems. Jorgito's father is kept away from the family because of his job. And to make matters worse, he beats on his son to get him to be more masculine.
When Malu's grandmother dies, her mother is ready to get out of Cuba and start anew in another country. All she has to do is get her ex-husband to sign the permit to leave the country. Malu is saddened by this because she doesn't want to leave her friends and Jorge behind. Malu has to find her father so he won't sign the permit to leave the country.
Jorge and Malu go on a journey to find her father. Their relationship is tested when they visit various places and meet different people. They are determined to find Malu's father and stay together. Back home, the mothers, in their frantic state, have yet to find common ground and see that their children are compatible for each other.
This movie is great for all ages because it reveals the boundaries of friendship and what it means to be a child in a country that is strifed with political issues. Cuba is a beautiful country because the people make it a beautiful country.
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