Guantanamera (1995)

It is a satire about life in Cuba. The members of a funeral procession and some truckdrivers who have to take the same route begin to talk about god and the world ending up in discovering ... See full summary »

Directors:

Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Juan Carlos Tabío

Writers:

Eliseo Alberto, Tomás Gutiérrez Alea

Stars:

Carlos Cruz, Mirta Ibarra, Jorge Perugorría

7 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carlos Cruz	...	Adolfo
Mirta Ibarra	...	Georgina
Jorge Perugorría	...	Mariano
Raúl Eguren	...	Candido
Pedro Fernández	...	Ramon
Luis Alberto García	...	Tony
Conchita Brando	...	Yoyita
Suset Pérez Malberti	...	Iku
Assenech Rodriguez	...	Grieving Woman
Luisa Pérez-Nieto	...	Marilis (as Louisa Pérez Nieto)
Idalmis Del Risco	...	Hilda
Ikay Romay	...	Wina
Mercedes Arnáez	...	Vivian
José Ángel Espinosa 'Ferrusquilla'	...	Justo (as Jose Antonio Espinosa)
Alfredo Ávila	...	Tirso

Storyline

It is a satire about life in Cuba. The members of a funeral procession and some truckdrivers who have to take the same route begin to talk about god and the world ending up in discovering that life for both groups has many similarities as well as a lot of differences depending on the point of view.

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Plot Keywords:

funeral procession | satire | cuba | one word title | truck driver | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea.

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Quotes

Adolfo: There are always problems. And there are always solutions.

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Connections

Referenced in Last Night (1998)

User Reviews

Guantanamera-A love and death epic story

Hearing the word Guantanamera, a word surge raced through my mind; Cuba, Guantanamo prison, Guatemala, or one of the most common Latin American songs? What could it be? I wondered. It is not much of the above but a sound track to a road movie Guantanamera, a death and love story.

In matters pertaining to birth, death and burial, people may not choose the place of birth or death, but they chose where they want to be buried. And this becomes a central issue in this road movie. It portrays the core values of a typical traditionalist Cuban family in a socialist country. It is for this reason that a dead body gets flown either out of state or country for burial. A song (Guantanamera), well spiced and crafted to fit each and every moment and character plays throughout the movie. This movie exposes the economics of a socialist run country. Road side vendors price their items in dollars. This suggests the instability of the national currency (possibly inflation).

When Gina puts on a new dress and let her hair run loose, it symbolizes self discovery and a sense of freedom. For the first time in this movie, she stands up to her husband and tells him that the days of subordination are over, she would not take off her dress. But also this could or symbolize people who live under a communist run regime, that there is limited freedom of choices. Those who are fed up of the system migrate, or export themselves to America through illegal means.

The directors did a great job in telling the general public about the flaws of a communist run country; corruption, dilapidating buildings and failed economy. Also the directors employed an excellent editing technique MONTAGE. Gina paces up and down and finally walks away from the funeral and finds comfort and love in Mariano. Both Gina and Mariano ecstatically share a smile and laughter whilst the funeral is still in procession. The MONTAGE suggests the anguish of people in Cuba go through in deserting their beloved country in search of freedom and better life.

Details

Country:

Cuba Spain Germany

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

4 July 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Guantanamera - Eine Leiche auf Reisen

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,851, 6 July 1997

Gross USA:

$903,840

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$903,840

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Films, Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industrias Cinematográficos (ICAIC), Prime Films S.L.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color