Newsreel 49

The 1960 Newsreel 49 heralds the beginning of Cuba's revolutionary cinema. Images of the icons of the major Hollywood studios give way to Cuban faces and places; the soundtrack first blasts "Rock Around the Clock" and then narrates the decree establishing the Cuban film institute (ICAIC).

For the First Time

Octavio Cortazar's For the First Time documents the use of mobile cinemas to bring moving pictures to campesinos far from the movie houses of Havana. Viewers are permitted a glimpse of the excitement and wonder as Cubans in the countryside experience cinema for the first time.

Dolly Back

Dolly Back probes the limits of filmmaking through the film-within-a-film trope. This lighthearted reflection on making movies is directed by Juan Carlos Tabío who also appears in the film, as does Cuban diva Mirta Ibarra.

NOW!

The struggle for civil rights is the subject of NOW! by master documentary-maker Santiago Alvarez. His signature montage technique joins images from U.S. broadcast news and the voice of Lena Horne to create a hard-hitting critique of racism in the U.S. during the 1960s.

LBJ

LBJ, one of Alvarez's most acclaimed documentaries, examines the U.S. political scene in the early 1960s through a trio of legendary figures: Martin Luther King (L), Bobby Kennedy (B) and John F. Kennedy (J).

Prayer for Marilyn Monroe

Prayer for Marilyn Monroe integrates images of the Hollywood actress and verses from Nicaraguan poet Ernesto Cardenal to create a powerful Pan-American product. Directors Miriam Talavera and Marisol Trujillo portray the harshness of the star's life behind the glamour and glitter of show biz.

The Art of Cigars

This early work of master filmmaker Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, The Art of Cigars, captures the beauty of making cigars. Images of hands selecting tobacco leaves and rolling cigars are interspersed with graphic designs from cigar boxes and labels.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics provides a humorous glimpse into Cubans' sense of style. Enrique Colina reveals the desire for expressing individuality through diverse conceptions of beauty in everyday life whether in the form of a hood ornament, a display window, or a star-studded tooth.

King of the Jungle

Made as Cuba was entering the economic crisis of the early 90s, King of the Jungle demonstrates Colina's talent at capturing the sentiments of a particular moment. We observe life along Havana's Prado street through the eyes of the lion sculpture located there.

To Camilo

This classic newsreel captures the importance of revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos. Each year, Cubans mark the anniversary of his death by floating flowers into the sea, a gesture reminiscient of the mysterious conditions surrounding his disappearance.

Che: A Photo Travels the World

This documentary pays tribute both to the revolutionary hero Che Guevara and to the photographer who captured and created his iconic portrait. Director Pedro Chaskel depicts protestors from around the world who carry signs featuring Che's image as they march towards sociopolitical transformation.

I Am The Song I Sing

In I Am the Song I Sing director Mayra Vilasis uses archival photographs, fragments of his last interview, and testimonies by relatives and close friends to honor Ignacio Villa (Bola de Nieve). The documentary reveals the life, personality and outstanding art of one of the greatest creators of Cuban and Latin American music of the 20th century.

Omara

Director Fernando Pérez portrays the life and career of Omara Portuondo in Omara. Through dramatic sequences interwoven with interview and performance footage, we come to appreciate this legendary star.

An Interview with Fernando Pérez

Rounding out the volume is An Interview with Fernando Pérez in which he shares his experiences in making Omara and reflects on the importance of this work for his transition to feature film.

Searching for Chano Pozo

Searching for Chano Pozo by director Rebecca Chávez takes us into the jazz scenes of Havana and New York. Testimony from family, friends, and fellow musicians (including Dizzy Gillespie) create this reflection on this legendary musician's career and premature death while highlighting his contributions to modern jazz rhythms.

The Hands and the Angel

Esteban Insausti's The Hands and the Angel inserts one of the world's great jazz musicians, Emiliano Salvador, into the history of Cuban music. The innovative conception and editing techniques push the limits of the music documentary formula.

An Interview with Esteban Insausti

This up-and-coming filmmaker is introduced in this interview. He reflects on his documentary tribute to Emilio Salvador, notes the Cuban filmmakers who have inspired him, and underlines what matters to his creative process.