I Am Cuba (Soy Cuba) / Siberian Mammoth

Alternative title

Soy Cuba

Synopsis

A 2-disc set. Disc 1 : I AM CUBA, partially written by renowned poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko, captures the island just before it made the transition to a post-revolutionary society. Moving from city to country and back again, the film examines the various problems caused by political oppression as well as by great discrepancies in wealth and power. Ostensibly this is Communist propaganda, celebrating the progress achieved by the Cuban Revolution and dramatizing four examples of injustice to the common man in pre-Revolutionary Cuba. The link that holds the film together is a spoken monologue beginning each sequence with the words ‘Soy Cuba’ ('I am Cuba’). It’s still pushing the boundaries of pure cinema, a stirring and unforgettable experience Beginning in Havana in the pre-Castro era, we see how foreigners contributed to the city’s prostitution and poverty; this sequence features dreamy, hallucinogenic camera work that creates a feeling of unease and dislocation. Then, in glorious images of palm trees and fertile land, the film looks at the sugar cane fields in the countryside, and the difficulties faced by peasants working the land. Finally, back in the city again, leftist students battle the police and a corrupt government - and pay a high price for their rebellion. An inexplicably neglected film for decades, this masterpiece is at last receiving the recognition it deserves. (140 minutes)

Disc 2: SIBERIAN MAMMOTH (Vicente Farraz, 2005, 90 minutes) is a documentary that unearths the truth behind why SOY CUBA was rejected by Cubans and Soviets alike upon its release and shelved for more than 30 years. Through a combination of breathtaking footage from the Cuban revolution, interviews with surviving Soviet and Cuban cast and crew members, this documentary provides insights into the ideology of the Cold War, the recent history of Cuba, and the the complete story behind the amazing film. The disc also includes a 26-minute interview with Martin Scorsese.

Language

Spanish (Spain - Modern)

Country

Cuba; Russian Federation

Year of release

2007

Year of production

1964

Subjects

Film studies; Politics & government; Spanish studies

Keywords

Cold War; communism; Cuba; propaganda films

Credits

Director

Mikhail Kalatozov; Vicente Farraz

Writer

Yevgeny Yevetushenko

Contributor

Martin Scorsese

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0

Price

£8.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

230 minutes

Year

2014

Distributor

Name

Mr Bongo Films

Email

info@mrbongo.com

Web

http://www.mrbongo.com External site opens in new window

Phone

01273 600546

Fax

01273 600578

Address

2nd Floor
24 Old Steine
Brighton
BN1 1EL

 

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