Rafael Alcides was once a widely known and celebrated writer of the Cuban revolution; now, a stranger in his own country, running out of time, he tries to salvage his unpublished novels from the ink literally fading away from their pages. This is the story of love and deception in the Cuban revolution as seen through the eyes of someone who was initially mesmerized by all its possibilities.
Filmmaker Miguel Coyula has created a pop culture collage combining clips from old movies, photographs, and imaginary conversations all held together by the magnetic personality of raconteur Rafael Alcides. It’s an exquisite journey through the mind of a poet who describes the world in its raw brutality and beauty. One man’s final Journey coming to terms with the end of the ideals of the Cuban Revolution and his life. (APRIL 18)
Director’s Statement: Miguel Coyula
For me, the ideal work has to be polysemic: a work that can function and be interpreted in many ways. The important thing is to explore your demons and enter into dialogue with them. Many times people consume political cinema to reinforce the opinion on a certain topic, but not to enter a debate. Politics is seen in black and white. My films in Cuba are branded as counterrevolutionary, however, in the Miami community, they say they are communist. Love it. "I'm doing things well," I tell myself. (Excerpted from an interview in Periodismo de Barrio).
Selected Filmography: Red Cockroaches, Memorias del Desarrollo, Clase z Tropical
Film Pairing Suggestion:
Volunteer Louise Pare will pair this film with black bean soup from Louie's Grill & Bar, and mint tea.
(There are a limited number of screenings available. Orders on first ordered first fulfilled basis.)
- Year2017
- Runtime69 minutes
- LanguageSpanish
- CountryCuba
- DirectorMiguel Coyula
- ProducerMiguel Coyula, Lynn Cruz
Rafael Alcides was once a widely known and celebrated writer of the Cuban revolution; now, a stranger in his own country, running out of time, he tries to salvage his unpublished novels from the ink literally fading away from their pages. This is the story of love and deception in the Cuban revolution as seen through the eyes of someone who was initially mesmerized by all its possibilities.
Filmmaker Miguel Coyula has created a pop culture collage combining clips from old movies, photographs, and imaginary conversations all held together by the magnetic personality of raconteur Rafael Alcides. It’s an exquisite journey through the mind of a poet who describes the world in its raw brutality and beauty. One man’s final Journey coming to terms with the end of the ideals of the Cuban Revolution and his life. (APRIL 18)
Director’s Statement: Miguel Coyula
For me, the ideal work has to be polysemic: a work that can function and be interpreted in many ways. The important thing is to explore your demons and enter into dialogue with them. Many times people consume political cinema to reinforce the opinion on a certain topic, but not to enter a debate. Politics is seen in black and white. My films in Cuba are branded as counterrevolutionary, however, in the Miami community, they say they are communist. Love it. "I'm doing things well," I tell myself. (Excerpted from an interview in Periodismo de Barrio).
Selected Filmography: Red Cockroaches, Memorias del Desarrollo, Clase z Tropical
Film Pairing Suggestion:
Volunteer Louise Pare will pair this film with black bean soup from Louie's Grill & Bar, and mint tea.
(There are a limited number of screenings available. Orders on first ordered first fulfilled basis.)
- Year2017
- Runtime69 minutes
- LanguageSpanish
- CountryCuba
- DirectorMiguel Coyula
- ProducerMiguel Coyula, Lynn Cruz