El Super (1979)

Slice of life look at Roberto and Aurelia, Cuban exiles living in New York City with their 17-year-old daughter Aurelita. It's February, 1978; the winter is harsh, and for ten years ... See full summary »

Directors:

Leon Ichaso, Orlando Jiménez Leal

Writers:

Manuel Arce, Leon Ichaso

Stars:

Raimundo Hidalgo-Gato, Zully Montero, Reynaldo Medina

5 wins.

Cast

Credited cast:
Raimundo Hidalgo-Gato	...	El súper
Zully Montero	...	Aurelia
Reynaldo Medina	...	Pancho
Elizabeth Peña	...	Aurelita
Juan Granda	...	Cuco
Hilda Lee	...	La China
Phil Joint	...	Inspector
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ana Margarita Martínez Casado

Storyline

Slice of life look at Roberto and Aurelia, Cuban exiles living in New York City with their 17-year-old daughter Aurelita. It's February, 1978; the winter is harsh, and for ten years Roberto's been the super of an apartment building, firing up the boiler, repairing windows, moving bags of garbage. He's homesick for Cuba, stuck in repetitive conversations about the Bay of Pigs, Castro, and life back home. He's too depressed to make love to Aurelia, and when his daughter thinks she's pregnant and he receives sad news from Cuba, he makes up his mind to quit the city for Miami. The decision gives him new life, he remembers Aurelia's birthday, and they have a party to celebrate.

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

29 April 1979 (USA)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Max Mambru Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A Cuban-American classic

EL SUPER was recently relaunched here as the 20th anniversary celebration of its original release. Shot on a shoestring budget in 1977, EL SUPER remains the first and still the definitive film about the Cuban exile experience. The film's stars and directors have gone on to illustrious careers, though the title role's star passed away about a decade ago. The film's theme is universal: struggling to survive and get ahead in exile, and the ensuing breakdown of family and generational relationships. EL SUPER's title character is the superintendent of a New York City apartment building. His wife is portrayed by the now-reigning Queen (and Great Villainess) of Latin American telenovelas, Zully Montero. El Super and his wife have problems understanding their pot-smoking, disco-dancing teenage daughter, played by a young Elizabeth Pena (LONE STAR, RUSH HOUR), among the many difficulties they face. Directed by Leon Ichaso, a very young Cuban American (at the time), all the principals had pretty much experienced the drama they put on the screen. Ichaso went on to Hollywood to direct Wesley Snipes in SUGAR HILL, and TV's SINS OF THE CITY, before his most recent personal project BITTER SUGAR ("Azucar Amarga"). EL SUPER is available on video, and with the growing interest in the "Hispanic" minority in the United States, now is a good time to see it.