Soy Cuba (I Am Cuba) is a communist propaganda film, but just about the most gorgeous propaganda film I ever did see. Through four-ish stories, Russian director Mikhail Kalatozov paints a portrait of Cuba before and during the Revolution that lambasts the decadent West and Capitalism's exploitation of the land and people, and does so by preferring long handheld shots, fish-eyed lenses, and askew angles, capturing smoke and water and black and white greenery is ways that, well, have to be seen to be appreciated. In fact, I'd say any cinephile should take a look at this film, because it creates images indelible images - I don't even know how some were captured - that transcend the political message and patriotic fervor of the "story". Having come out in 1964, it's not a call to arms so much as a mythic validation for Castro's leadership. And yet, this is also a universal story about inequity and the will to put a stop to social injustice, whatever the regime, couched in artful pictures and good music. Luminous.
Can a propaganda film result in a work of art? Yes, it can, you just have to call the best at it, Mikhail Kalatozov managed to put the communist cause to the center, making it look inviting. The four stories he presents us invite us to feel the tragic ways of capitalism, the pain of corruption, and the abuse of power. That continues today more than ever, only that it is destroying us in a more subtle way.
A very good movie. Showing a true juxtaposition of the haves and have not. Good emotional characters accented by close ups. Camerawork is excellent, but the story is the true power of this movie. Many countries living under these conditions today. Fidel Castro died today.
Without a doubt, "Soy Cuba" is beautifully filmed, fantastic cinematography and great staging which gives the movie a great power.
However, as some has already pointed out, it is quite superficial (some would say stereotypical) and reflects the contemporary (1964) view that the Cuban government had of their recent revolutionary period. There are some historical anachronisms and the script by Yevtushenko and Pineda Barnet is not very subtle to say the least. It felt downright melodramatic at times when making things a little bit more natural could have elevated the movie tremendously.
In terms of narrative structure, my thoughts were immediately drawn to Rossellini's "Paisà" (1946) which follows the same vignetté structure around a historical event (the invasion and liberation of Italy by Allied forces in Paisà, the Cuba Revolution in Soy Cuba) and the use of actors with little to no previous experience.
Wonderful cinematography, A Masterpiece of USSR cinema I'm wondering what was the cinematic answer to this one?...I think none, American cinema can't do this kind of movies!
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Comments 1 - 11 of 11
marienbad
Some really incredible camera work.flaiky
Well this is a masterpiece.Siskoid
Soy Cuba (I Am Cuba) is a communist propaganda film, but just about the most gorgeous propaganda film I ever did see. Through four-ish stories, Russian director Mikhail Kalatozov paints a portrait of Cuba before and during the Revolution that lambasts the decadent West and Capitalism's exploitation of the land and people, and does so by preferring long handheld shots, fish-eyed lenses, and askew angles, capturing smoke and water and black and white greenery is ways that, well, have to be seen to be appreciated. In fact, I'd say any cinephile should take a look at this film, because it creates images indelible images - I don't even know how some were captured - that transcend the political message and patriotic fervor of the "story". Having come out in 1964, it's not a call to arms so much as a mythic validation for Castro's leadership. And yet, this is also a universal story about inequity and the will to put a stop to social injustice, whatever the regime, couched in artful pictures and good music. Luminous.AdGuzman
Can a propaganda film result in a work of art? Yes, it can, you just have to call the best at it, Mikhail Kalatozov managed to put the communist cause to the center, making it look inviting. The four stories he presents us invite us to feel the tragic ways of capitalism, the pain of corruption, and the abuse of power. That continues today more than ever, only that it is destroying us in a more subtle way.Dazzling camera work as well.
-1flb2-
A very good movie. Showing a true juxtaposition of the haves and have not. Good emotional characters accented by close ups. Camerawork is excellent, but the story is the true power of this movie. Many countries living under these conditions today. Fidel Castro died today.Railok
Without a doubt, "Soy Cuba" is beautifully filmed, fantastic cinematography and great staging which gives the movie a great power.However, as some has already pointed out, it is quite superficial (some would say stereotypical) and reflects the contemporary (1964) view that the Cuban government had of their recent revolutionary period. There are some historical anachronisms and the script by Yevtushenko and Pineda Barnet is not very subtle to say the least. It felt downright melodramatic at times when making things a little bit more natural could have elevated the movie tremendously.
In terms of narrative structure, my thoughts were immediately drawn to Rossellini's "Paisà" (1946) which follows the same vignetté structure around a historical event (the invasion and liberation of Italy by Allied forces in Paisà, the Cuba Revolution in Soy Cuba) and the use of actors with little to no previous experience.
ClassicLady
The camerawork is stunning! The lighting is superb.jarmel
Wonderful cinematography, A Masterpiece of USSR cinema I'm wondering what was the cinematic answer to this one?...I think none, American cinema can't do this kind of movies!Wise Jake
great film, astounding, wonderful communist spiritDieguito
Brilliant!Duke of Omnium
Technically astounding, but like most propaganda, in any age, implausible and superficial.