IMDb > Azúcar amarga (1996)

Azúcar amarga (1996) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   442 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 19% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Pelayo García (story)
Leon Ichaso (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Azúcar amarga on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
9 May 1997 (Turkey) more
Genre:
Plot:
Gustavo is a young Havana Communist who believes in the revolution; he hopes for a scholarship to study aeronautical engineering in Prague... more | add synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Sweetness. more (23 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

René Lavan ... Gustavo
Mayte Vilán ... Yolanda
Miguel Gutiérrez ... Dr. Tomás Valdez
Larry Villanueva ... Bobby
Luis Celeiro ... Prof. García
Teresa Maria Rojas ... Belkis

Orestes Matacena ... Claudio
Caridad Ravelo ... Soraya

Jorge Pupo ... Yiyo
Victor Checo ... Edmundo, Yolanda's Father
Virgilio Martí ... Guaguanco Singer
Tony Almont ... Dread Locks / Rock Band: Congas and Voice
Félix Germán ... Resort Security Guard
Augusto Feria ... Hotel Security Guard
Alejandro Gonzáles ... Interrogator (as Alejandro Gonzales)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Bitter Sugar
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Runtime:
105 min | USA:75 min
Language:
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:
Company:

FAQ

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7 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Sweetness., 18 April 2003
Author: tfrizzell from United States

"Azucar Amarga" (translated "Bitter Sugar") was a totally ignored foreign language film gem that never really found an audience when it was initially released in 1996. It is modern-day Cuba and two young adults (Rene Lavan and Matye Vilan) seem to be finding love with one another. Lavan believes in Castro's Cuba and the Revolution. He also dreams of going to university in Prague to become an aeronautical engineer. He quickly falls in love with Vilan, but her life and opportunities do not seem near as bright. She realizes that Cuba is not the place for her and that the United States (namely Miami) is the key to her overall survival. Lavan just dismisses what he feels are distorted views from Vilan until he becomes an enemy in the Cuban machine due to his younger brother's wild antics (played superbly by scene-stealer Larry Villanueva). Villanueva is disenchanted by the fact that he is unable to play the music he loves in his band and also the fact that he (and no one in the country for that matter) has any say in turbulent Cuba. He takes drastic measures (intentionally infecting himself with AIDS via blood from a syringe) to get his message across to the peoples of his homeland. And of course later on Vilan becomes little more than a glorified prostitute to foreigners at a high-class Cuban resort that does not allow Lavan in. In the end, all will make life-altering decisions to escape their lives in Cuba. "Bitter Sugar" is one of those raw foreign films that works because of outstanding writing and solid direction. The performers are all perfect as well. Vilan is illuminating in a film of darkness. Her amazing beauty and versatility makes a lasting impression. She is the most memorable part in a film full of solid memories. Shot entirely in black-and-white, the production creates a tone that makes the audience feel the hopelessness and depression of a country that has somewhat found itself in limbo since Castro's takeover on December 31, 1959. 5 stars out of 5.

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Is this how things really like? grafal85
Azucar amarga was filmed in Cuba ver
I liked it barbfrmsf
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Gustavo's trip acamacho_75
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