It's hard not to like the unspoiled, friendly and proud people profiled in this documentary. The director remarkably touches bases with both common folk like the three elderly farming brothers who make up the heart of the film and Castro himself. There's a sense of resiliency and humor that is inspiring. You also get to witness an American's view of the roller coaster ride Cuba has taken from the heady days of revolution to the horror of the 90's to 2016, when life has improved immeasurably for the subjects, some of whom have gone from gaunt to almost portly. Whatever your opinion is of Castro and his autocratic tendencies, this documentary concentrates its light on the Cuban people, their relationships with each other, their country and with the cameraman. I was surprised at how open Cubans are in criticizing their leader and their predicament, especially in the horrible 90's. One gets the feeling from western media that Cubans have been silenced and jailed under Castro for their views but here, nobody seems to be intimidated at all in speaking of their anger and resentment over the way the country has been run. By the end, I felt close to each of this film's subjects to the point where I was disappointed that two Cubans who emigrated to the USA during the later stages of filming are not interviewed after their exodus to America.
42 Reviews
Story of the people
sengbranch26 November 2017
I enjoyed watching this film so much, chatting away to my wife about all the familiar places and stories. My work has taken me there a lot over the years. The stories portrayed here are exactly what one sees when you develop friendships over the years in Cuba. I felt as if the three brothers were my friends too, having spent much of my time in the farming communities of Cuba. I felt emotionally attached to them as time passed and economic pressures shaped their experience.
There is so much depth and complexity to the Cuban story, and it can be incredibly confusing to go between the worlds of tourism, government lectures, and time in the homes or fields of Cubans. Add to that the sentiments of exiles and one can struggle to navigate these waters and formulate clear opinions. One is constantly meeting people in unexpected positions with extraordinary education. Ag engineers and entomologists breeding beneficial insects for organic farms in old soda bottles under palapa huts, PhD of Latin American literature checking you into your hotel, or a university professor selling peanuts on the street to make ends meet. This film also captures that phenomenon.
What is not confusing, is connecting with Cubans. This filmmaker does an excellent job of connecting the viewer with the experience of Cuban people for them to develop their own opinions based on these stories, history, geopolitics, etc. I was overly excited to provide my own supplementary narrative, translations, etc to my patient wife who has never visited the island. The footage is unique, following various people over many years. It's the first film of its kind filmed in Cuba that I'm aware of. My wife winced at some of the questions directed towards people in times of intense struggle, belaboring the narrative a bit at what was obviously a difficult situation. The people would have enjoyed telling their story though, and what a great body of unique work it has produced as a result of this filmmakers diligence.
There is so much depth and complexity to the Cuban story, and it can be incredibly confusing to go between the worlds of tourism, government lectures, and time in the homes or fields of Cubans. Add to that the sentiments of exiles and one can struggle to navigate these waters and formulate clear opinions. One is constantly meeting people in unexpected positions with extraordinary education. Ag engineers and entomologists breeding beneficial insects for organic farms in old soda bottles under palapa huts, PhD of Latin American literature checking you into your hotel, or a university professor selling peanuts on the street to make ends meet. This film also captures that phenomenon.
What is not confusing, is connecting with Cubans. This filmmaker does an excellent job of connecting the viewer with the experience of Cuban people for them to develop their own opinions based on these stories, history, geopolitics, etc. I was overly excited to provide my own supplementary narrative, translations, etc to my patient wife who has never visited the island. The footage is unique, following various people over many years. It's the first film of its kind filmed in Cuba that I'm aware of. My wife winced at some of the questions directed towards people in times of intense struggle, belaboring the narrative a bit at what was obviously a difficult situation. The people would have enjoyed telling their story though, and what a great body of unique work it has produced as a result of this filmmakers diligence.
ORIGINAL AND MOVING
lale-ba7 April 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Documentaries must have a strong story to transmit it to the viewers if they think to be remembered, and the periodical visits to Cuba by an American cameraman and his crew over the course of four decades definitely is a relevant script.
Transmited to us by a series of humane stories of common folk and their battle with the changing politics and the up and down spiral of Cuban regime, with little or almost no pathetism, which is really important when it comes to genre.
''Cuba and the cameraman" will bite you in the soul, make you think and really appreciate your life, your country and your society.
Just wow... highly recommended
showhell16 February 2019
I don't expect that Mr. Jon Alpert will cover every expect of Cuban revolution or its outcome that affects Cuban people politically, economically or socially. So I have enjoyed this documentary from other part of the world with warm heart for the characters here. I got emotional for three farmer brothers. Beautiful people there in Cuba and Mr. Alpert is also amazing with his beautiful mind and effort. Thank you for showing the world something that nobody seen before.
Incredible
tobias-w-reynolds16 October 2020
Marvellous journey through time..
arshad-8478730 July 2019
Alpert gets the gist of Cubans
johanneswerner-1093816 December 2017
This gringo is loud, he keeps his eyes wide open, he's affectionate, he's direct, he's witty, and - most importantly - he connects. John Alpert's "Cuba and the Cameraman" is a must-see and confirmation why this country is so lovable and has a great future.
Absolutely fantastic, one of the greatest documentaries ever made
a761506-192-7193826 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The life work of Jon Alpert is beautifully displayed along with an intimate look into Cuba over the years. The simpleness of the farmers lives, happy every day of their lives until the day their first animal was stolen, and then to see their recovery at such a late stage in life after things looked incredibly bleak... one of the best raw images of humanity in its purest form.
The interviews with Fidel showed me who he was in a nutshell, and to be honest, I knew little about him prior to this, but it allowed me to paint my own picture of the man.
Truly tremendous film, Jon if you read this review, thank you very much for making this.
The interviews with Fidel showed me who he was in a nutshell, and to be honest, I knew little about him prior to this, but it allowed me to paint my own picture of the man.
Truly tremendous film, Jon if you read this review, thank you very much for making this.
From another point of view
ruud-3530 November 2019
Really great stuff from Alpert about Cuba and his relationship with Fidel. Castro definitely uses Alpert in a funny human way for his own sake but there seems to be a friendly relationship between the two which makes this documentary very interesting to watch without judging about his political signature
The "Real Cuba", as seldom seen by outsiders
ccoristine16 April 2018
Wonderful film showing the real Cuba as opposed to the usual U.S. anti-Castro propaganda. This was the first time I'd had the chance to see inside Cuba and to hear how appreciative ordinary Cubans were for what the Revolution had brought: free health care (including a low infant mortality rate), affordible (if basic) housing for all, and an effective educational system which gives Cubans the highest literacy rate in that part of the world - going to show how a courageous and hard working people find ways of working around sanctions designed to cripple their country.
Rubbing into people suffering
mzampitelli26 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I was sincerely enthusiast watching the documentary. I thought the idea was great, and how interesting it was to see the country changing very much, up to today, when i visited Cuba myself. Something was disturbing me during the documentary and it was not the condition fo the people, who i found very resilient and definitely sweet and educated. What i found disgusting instead, was the way he was making the questions, and which questions he was making. At one point I could feel how much he wanted to sell all the tragedy to us, to the americans. This documentary was born as a product. This documentary plays with the feelings of its characters, and leaves them no intimacy. The prolongued takes on the beautiful faces of the farmers, or on the suffering of the mother, the questions and the comments made with the intentions of making it even harder (example: "oh yeah i remember you had a lot of animals...are you sad now?" omg, why?!! why do you do that dude???) made this documentary for me very disgusting and hard to watch at a certain point. I went until the end but i definitely felt the need of stopping the vision of this tourism and spectacule driven piece.
Great Documentary
dawnsacks-0157825 April 2021
Some of the reviews on here that were negative are from people saying you're glorifying communism??? Are you kidding me.... The filmmaker is showing all aspects of Cuba over the years. And in more retrospect the Cuban people. I assume the negative reviews are from Americans who don't understand the history of Cuba how Cuba was being totally exploited during the time the Americans were there and had been exploited by different cultures and other countries over their entire history. Having been to Cuba's several times I see the poverty I see that things haven't really been changed but I also see a resilient wonderful people who adopt a change. Nobody stars and everyone has a place to live I'll be at not a very good place for most. Think what you want about Castro and communism But condemning a documentary because it actually shows what went on during all those different years just shows your ignorance towards world history and Cuban history.
Awful documentary glorifying Fidel Castro
MsLSimon30 November 2017
This is a sorry excuse of a documentary that completely covers up the horrible atrocities committed against the Cuban people by the Castros. It tries to act like it's being unbiased but it constantly portrays Fidel Castro as a very nice and misunderstood leader who is a victim of the U.S. embargo. The filmmaker gives him presents? Disgusting! I don't think anyone would have approved of a documentary of Hitler walking around being a likable guy, but somehow it is okay to do it with Fidel Castro even though he's also a mass murderer.
I lived in Cuba in the 70s and the food rations and blackouts that are only shown here during the 90s already existed. While he shows briefly the attacks on the people trying to leave to the U.S. in 1980, he doesn't show anything about the people who are sent to jail simply for being critical of the government. There's mention of the free healthcare, but no mention of the fact that there are no medicines available since the 70s not just the 90s. And while Castro always blamed the embargo for the shortage of food and medicine, he continued becoming richer and richer off of the exported goods through cheap labor. He owned property all over and lived in the lap of luxury while his people starved.
Where does this show children being forced to cut sugar cane for free during the summers since 7th grade? Where does this show men and women being forced to serve in the military? Where is the mention of the rampant prostitution of women and children, because that is the only way that people can make dollars and euros to be able to feed their families? Where is the interview of Cubans in the U.S. who can speak freely about the atrocities committed in Cuba? Do you really believe that millions of people have fled the island purely because of economic reasons? You interviewed people who could not speak freely and record that as news?
Mr. Alpert, you are no journalist. You have created nothing here but Cuban government propaganda and you should be ashamed of yourself. You are a sorry excuse of a human.
I lived in Cuba in the 70s and the food rations and blackouts that are only shown here during the 90s already existed. While he shows briefly the attacks on the people trying to leave to the U.S. in 1980, he doesn't show anything about the people who are sent to jail simply for being critical of the government. There's mention of the free healthcare, but no mention of the fact that there are no medicines available since the 70s not just the 90s. And while Castro always blamed the embargo for the shortage of food and medicine, he continued becoming richer and richer off of the exported goods through cheap labor. He owned property all over and lived in the lap of luxury while his people starved.
Where does this show children being forced to cut sugar cane for free during the summers since 7th grade? Where does this show men and women being forced to serve in the military? Where is the mention of the rampant prostitution of women and children, because that is the only way that people can make dollars and euros to be able to feed their families? Where is the interview of Cubans in the U.S. who can speak freely about the atrocities committed in Cuba? Do you really believe that millions of people have fled the island purely because of economic reasons? You interviewed people who could not speak freely and record that as news?
Mr. Alpert, you are no journalist. You have created nothing here but Cuban government propaganda and you should be ashamed of yourself. You are a sorry excuse of a human.
Story of the ordinary people
erdem-156-854907 December 2017
I had been in Cuba for a family holiday just after Fidel Castro died. I saw some people who hate Fidel, and also others who are proud of Fidel. I think Jon Alpert succeeded to show people from both sides. He also shows some human side of Fidel via private interviews.
The story of the three brothers and the sister is so heartbreaking. They are so nice people and I wished to be with them to help and share all their feelings.
It was a 45-year real story of the people. I think Jon Alpert did a great job.
The story of the three brothers and the sister is so heartbreaking. They are so nice people and I wished to be with them to help and share all their feelings.
It was a 45-year real story of the people. I think Jon Alpert did a great job.
Simplesmente perfeito.
Marwan-Bob23 November 2020
Incredible
dagqb30 January 2021
It is love and hope that unites us
friendshipjohn24 December 2020
A great film. Great thanks to the Cameraman's perseverance, we are able to watch the change of the normal Cuban people's lives in the last 40 yesrs. No matter how much we are divided by political ideaology, nationality, culture...it is love and hope which unites us as human beings...it is the spirit of never giving up in pursuit of a better life that keeps us moving on...
Fantastic
charliegalloway14 February 2021
A superb documentary that is informative , challenging and emotional . It is filled with as much warmth as the Cuban people he portrays , it is not a propaganda piece he expertly shows the optimism and hope through the decades to the weary realization of the people .
Can anyone argue Luis is not better off under capitalism than socialism ?
I was surprised to find Castro (especially early on ) as very likeable but Alpert shows the other side of the coin as well , you have to see this charm to understand how he took such a grip of the country .
Havana is a magical , beguiling city and this film captures its exciting and optimistic heart .
A must see .
Brilliant
tacobelle302 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thought it was a brilliant documentary. Other than learning about the The Bay of Pigs in History at school and that the US and Cuba aren't allies. I didn't really know much about Cuba other than it was and still is run by the Communist Party.
Over a period of 45 years, the documentary shows the economic collapse of Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s when Cuba lost valuable aid and trading privileges. As food, medicine and other necessities became scarce, 80% of Cubans are selling or buying on the black market.
The documentary also follows certain families each time the filmmaker returns to Cuba. You see how the families are and how life is treating them.
It brought a bit of a tear to my eye to see the three Borregos brothers and their sister work so hard on their farm and be so humble. For them it was about family togetherness and having a cheeky rum! All they wanted was to have electricity, a roof over their head and put food on the table but the film shows their struggle to make a living after their livestock stolen one by one because of the lack of food.
Even more fascinating was, the filmmaker strikes up a bit of a 'friendship' with Fidel Castro from interviewing him in the early 1970s until just months before the leader's death in 1996. You get to see Fidel Castro how you've never seen him before.
While Castro implemented free health care and free education to all Cubans along aside it came elimination of freedom of speech and a one-party state. Everything in Cuba is seemed illegal and if you want a job, you must agree with everything the government says or you're thrown in prison and become unemployable.
There are Cubans who are patriotic until they die and there are Cubans who want freedom with many trying to leave for the US. While the filmmaker does seem a bit idealistic at the beginning, he isn't at the end but he clearly has a fondness for the Cuba, Fidel Castro and its people which is evident throughout the documentary.
Over a period of 45 years, the documentary shows the economic collapse of Cuba after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s when Cuba lost valuable aid and trading privileges. As food, medicine and other necessities became scarce, 80% of Cubans are selling or buying on the black market.
The documentary also follows certain families each time the filmmaker returns to Cuba. You see how the families are and how life is treating them.
It brought a bit of a tear to my eye to see the three Borregos brothers and their sister work so hard on their farm and be so humble. For them it was about family togetherness and having a cheeky rum! All they wanted was to have electricity, a roof over their head and put food on the table but the film shows their struggle to make a living after their livestock stolen one by one because of the lack of food.
Even more fascinating was, the filmmaker strikes up a bit of a 'friendship' with Fidel Castro from interviewing him in the early 1970s until just months before the leader's death in 1996. You get to see Fidel Castro how you've never seen him before.
While Castro implemented free health care and free education to all Cubans along aside it came elimination of freedom of speech and a one-party state. Everything in Cuba is seemed illegal and if you want a job, you must agree with everything the government says or you're thrown in prison and become unemployable.
There are Cubans who are patriotic until they die and there are Cubans who want freedom with many trying to leave for the US. While the filmmaker does seem a bit idealistic at the beginning, he isn't at the end but he clearly has a fondness for the Cuba, Fidel Castro and its people which is evident throughout the documentary.
The camera always says the truth!
modhat13 March 2018
A film that show what happens when the USA tries to destroy a country
almacloudy8 June 2020
The cameraman is very condescending and unenlightened and he should have just been the cameraman and talked a lot less. He goes around Cuba trying to shame and point out all of the bad things just because he is from a upper middle class US family. Of course things got worse for Cuba over time, but it was in large part due to the US embargo along with the Soviet collapse. This film is a very superficial view into the people of Cuba over a few decades and it should have also focused on the positive attitudes and what Cuba was trying to accomplish before the US restricted trade with a stupid embargo that really only hurt the people of Cuba.
Shed light on the true of Cuba
squishyadger21 September 2020
US and Cuban in the US always have negative narrative when it comes to any country that's communist, and for many of years peoples are living in this safety bubble of capitalist is good and communist is bad. from this documentary, you get to see the raise and fall of the economy from the revolution of Fidel to modern day. And even though the document never really go too deep about the fall of the Soviet and the embargo of Cuba, we have to realize these two events are cause by the US. Time and time again US make movies and documentary blaming the fall of Cuba's economy is due to Fidel and Communist. This Documentary took place between few families Jon met for the past 30 years and through his visit to Cuba he saw the raise and fall of the economy. He did not use a bias opinion to narrate the views to one side of the story, he just simply ask the questions peoples have for Fidel and show the life fo them for 60 years. Definitely recommended film to see the other side of the story about Cuba
Beautiful
chrismonrose13 January 2021
Pretty good
dylanrandall-4198126 May 2022
It's great that they found the same people over the 40 years it takes place. The three brothers were great showing there hardship.
It's also great how it's completely unbiased they record what happens showing the worst and best parts.
It's also great how it's completely unbiased they record what happens showing the worst and best parts.
Great documentary about Cuba and Fidel
suripat27 February 2022
This is a very light hearted documentary take on Cuba, reveals close interactions with Fidel Castro and the various occasions in which Alpert interviewed him and some families in Cuba. It has great moments and the people smiling despite all difficulties it's a great thing to watch.
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