A fine, multifaceted treatment of the Cuban Revolution of the mid-20th century and its aftermath, filmmaker Glenn Gebhard's Cuba: A Lifetime of Passion is noteworthy for presenting a balanced, non-judgmental approach. Beginning with a brief précis of the island's history before Fidel Castro's pro-communist regime toppled General Fulgencio Batista in 1959, Cuba follows the course of the nation's development—particularly in terms of U.S.-Cuban relations—up to the recent past (an ailing Castro has since stepped down as president), interweaving archival footage and stills together with extensive interview clips that encompass the entire spectrum of perspectives. On the one hand, committed Cuban communists attest to the successes of the revolution, while ordinary Cuban citizens confirm that their lives have improved under Castro; on the other, dissidents criticize the government's policies, and Cuban exiles in Miami excoriate Castro. Between the two extremes, scholars and government officials—both Cuban and American—offer comments about the effects of the revolution, while also speculating about Cuba's future. Beautifully shot, skillfully edited, and narrated with quiet authority by Michael York, this solid documentary is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Cuba: A Lifetime of Passion
(2007) 76 min. DVD or VHS: $99.95: public libraries; $295: colleges & universities. The Cinema Guild. PPR. ISBN: 0-7815-1251-4 (dvd). Volume 23, Issue 4
Cuba: A Lifetime of Passion
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