While Latin America is currently notorious for its myriad violations of human rights, including horrendous mistreatment of gays and lesbians, Cuba is much more accepting of its gay and lesbian community today (it wasn't so during the heady days of revolution under the young Fidel). Journalist and photographer Sonja de Vries' documentary interweaves contemporary interview footage with various members from the gay community (a talk show host, a union leader, and a drag queen, among others) and a historical overview of the changes that have taken place in Cuba since 1959. American viewers are likely to balk at the program's political harangue concerning the trade embargo (which doesn't have a whole lot of bearing on the purported subject), and they are likely to be lost during a poorly explained segment about the mix of Catholic and African strains in Cuban religion. In addition, while most of the film is subtitled, English narration is used quite often during the first half to bridge sections or elucidate concepts, but it practically disappears during the second half. As a portrait of gay and lesbian culture in another country, Gay Cuba offers some interesting insights, but it's a hodgepodge of a documentary, and is therefore, at best, an optional purchase for larger collections. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)
Gay Cuba
(1995) 57 min. $300. Frameline. PPR. Vol. 11, Issue 3
Gay Cuba
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