kochman
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- Jun 8, 2009
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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2184331/
"Una Noche"
I don't normally post movie reviews here, but I think in this case it is apt because of the political/cultural points the movie touches on.
The majority of the movie is spent in Havana, with the journey come at the end.
It gives a shocking glimpse into how hellish life in Cuba can be, even with its highly touted medical care system.
Some key points:
*Director - Lucy Mulloy, is a NYer, but "Mulloy spent years in Havana researching for her first feature Una Noche." I don't know enough about her to know if she came in with certain biases. I feel like if you live somewhere for years, you get a pretty good chance to move past the bias.
*Economics - all oriented around tourism, as the stores in the neighborhoods are Russian Supermarkets. Much trade goes via black market channels.
*Health Care - Oh, the guy has to pay for his medicine. He doesn't pay the system, but he has to pay the corrupt people in the system. I have seen the same thing in other 3rd world countries.
*Police - They pay big attention to the way even the police force is focused around tourism. Furthermore, it is a police state.
*Cinematography, Script, Etc - A+ all around for the technical aspects.
My initial conclusion is that it disgusts me how tourists go there, providing the regime with just enough money to effectively suppress the people and prevent the state from collapsing. Believe me, very little of the money is reaching the citizens.
If the system collapsed, a new system could arise.
It's a sad movie, it will leave a crater if you watch it.
Seeing people so desperate in life that they will, since they are largely unarmed (4.8% of people own firearms), take to a makeshift raft through shark infested waters in hopes of a better life, is hard to watch.
But, hard to watch is sometimes more worthwhile.
"Una Noche"
I don't normally post movie reviews here, but I think in this case it is apt because of the political/cultural points the movie touches on.
The majority of the movie is spent in Havana, with the journey come at the end.
It gives a shocking glimpse into how hellish life in Cuba can be, even with its highly touted medical care system.
Some key points:
*Director - Lucy Mulloy, is a NYer, but "Mulloy spent years in Havana researching for her first feature Una Noche." I don't know enough about her to know if she came in with certain biases. I feel like if you live somewhere for years, you get a pretty good chance to move past the bias.
*Economics - all oriented around tourism, as the stores in the neighborhoods are Russian Supermarkets. Much trade goes via black market channels.
*Health Care - Oh, the guy has to pay for his medicine. He doesn't pay the system, but he has to pay the corrupt people in the system. I have seen the same thing in other 3rd world countries.
*Police - They pay big attention to the way even the police force is focused around tourism. Furthermore, it is a police state.
*Cinematography, Script, Etc - A+ all around for the technical aspects.
My initial conclusion is that it disgusts me how tourists go there, providing the regime with just enough money to effectively suppress the people and prevent the state from collapsing. Believe me, very little of the money is reaching the citizens.
If the system collapsed, a new system could arise.
It's a sad movie, it will leave a crater if you watch it.
Seeing people so desperate in life that they will, since they are largely unarmed (4.8% of people own firearms), take to a makeshift raft through shark infested waters in hopes of a better life, is hard to watch.
But, hard to watch is sometimes more worthwhile.
