This film was shown as part of the Cuny Cinematheque, as I doubt it was ever seen in the USA before, or at least, not locally.
This is a very enigmatic view at today's Cuba. Director Enrique Alvarez gathers about eight very different characters in search of a movie. At times, he succeeds, at others, the viewer is left to his own devices because nothing is clearly revealed.
As with other Cuban films, this one is laden with symbolism. One wonders, since the different messages can be interpreted according to each viewer, about the sacrifices some of these people have made in order to survive in their own country. Also, Ana, the main character of the film, has returned after a marriage of convenience to a Norwegian who was her ticket to leave her life in the island during the economic crisis of the early 90s, after the end of the Soviet Union.
As history repeats itself, we are introduced to Ana's former lover, who shows up with a new girlfriend, who in turn, has decided to leave her country at all costs. In a way, director Perez seems to be saying that while Ana's destiny is in Cuba, he knows it does not work for everyone else.
At times the film feels as though is running in different directions as the director had no clue where he is taking us. At the center of the story there is a mysterious man, who might, or might not be, Ana's father who has come from his own exile to make amends.
Maybe the next time out, Mr. Perez will have a better story to tell us, as he shows talent for directing this very attractive cast with a more accomplished film.
This is a very enigmatic view at today's Cuba. Director Enrique Alvarez gathers about eight very different characters in search of a movie. At times, he succeeds, at others, the viewer is left to his own devices because nothing is clearly revealed.
As with other Cuban films, this one is laden with symbolism. One wonders, since the different messages can be interpreted according to each viewer, about the sacrifices some of these people have made in order to survive in their own country. Also, Ana, the main character of the film, has returned after a marriage of convenience to a Norwegian who was her ticket to leave her life in the island during the economic crisis of the early 90s, after the end of the Soviet Union.
As history repeats itself, we are introduced to Ana's former lover, who shows up with a new girlfriend, who in turn, has decided to leave her country at all costs. In a way, director Perez seems to be saying that while Ana's destiny is in Cuba, he knows it does not work for everyone else.
At times the film feels as though is running in different directions as the director had no clue where he is taking us. At the center of the story there is a mysterious man, who might, or might not be, Ana's father who has come from his own exile to make amends.
Maybe the next time out, Mr. Perez will have a better story to tell us, as he shows talent for directing this very attractive cast with a more accomplished film.