Improper Conduct (1984)

An examination of Cuba's "moral purges" that began in 1964 with UMAP camps for those suspected of or found guilty of "improper conduct." Key moments brought outside attention to these ... See full summary »

Directors:

Néstor Almendros, Orlando Jiménez Leal

Writer:

Néstor Almendros

Stars:

Lorenzo Monreal, Jorge Lago, Julio Medina

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lorenzo Monreal	...	Himself
Jorge Lago	...	Himself
Julio Medina	...	Himself
César Bermudez	...	Himself
José Mario	...	Himself
Rafael De Palet	...	Himself
Jorge Ronet	...	Himself
Héctor Aldao	...	Himself
Jaime Bellachasse	...	Himself
Mireya Robles
Luís Lazo	...	Himself
Caracol
Reynaldo Arenas	...	Himself
Abreu Abreu
Gilberto Rujiz	...	Himself

Storyline

An examination of Cuba's "moral purges" that began in 1964 with UMAP camps for those suspected of or found guilty of "improper conduct." Key moments brought outside attention to these policies: the defection of ballet dancers in Paris in 1966, a 48-hour period in 1980 when more than 11,000 Cubans sought asylum in Havana's Peruvian embassy, and the brief detention of writer Virgilio Piñera. Interviews with exiles take up most of the film as they tell their stories and ponder the Castro government's arrest and detention of persons with effeminate mannerisms: what the state calls "extravagant behavior." In essence, the film exposes the Cuban state's homophobic, petit bourgeois nature.

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Plot Keywords:

cuba | homosexual history | gay | homosexuality | persecution | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

Spanish French English

Release Date:

21 March 1984 (France)

Also Known As:

Bad Conduct

Company Credits

Production Co:

France 2 (FR2), Les Films du Losange

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

The word 'paranoia' is misspelled wrong in one of the many subtitles.

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Quotes

Herberto Padilla: Only "manly" homosexuals were tolerated. Many Cuban political leaders are "manly" homosexuals. They speak with deep voices, and manage to hide the truth. It's a serious problem in a "macho" country like Cuba. That's how homosexuals saved their skin, and now hold important political positions. Especially in the police, where there are many "manly" homosexuals.

User Reviews

Persecution in Castro's Cuba

This memorable documentary by the late Nestor Almendros mostly chronicles the vicious persecution of intellectuals and gays from the beginning of the Cuban "Revolution" until the early '80's. Particularly shocking are the description of concentration camps for gays, and the use of electro shock treatment for "conversion" to heterosexuality. This is one horrifying document of the inhumane treatment prevalent in Fidel Castro's Cuba.