The Travel Agent

Italian filmmaker Niccoló Bruna traveled to Havana to make this documentary about the challenges faced by Cubans who are eager to secure travel visas to the U.S. Titular subject Lourdes Gonzales Rosabal is a 58-year-old woman who operates an unofficial consultancy that advises Cubans on how to navigate the thorny questions posed during the government's lengthy travel visa interview process. While not overtly encouraging people to blatantly lie to the authorities, she nonetheless drops unsubtle hints that there are certain answers that the government prefers to hear, while also sharing techniques that bend the truth without completely breaking it. Ironically, Rosabal has herself been struggling for years to get a visa that would enable her to visit her mother, son, grandson, brothers, and nephews in Florida. During the course of the film, Rosabal finally receives word that her request for a travel visa interview has been granted, raising the drama of whether she will be able to practice what she preaches in order to gain the much-desired documents. The Travel Agent was produced prior to the resumption of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba, so the film is already a bit dated. Nonetheless, it does provide an interesting glimpse into Cuban society and a look at people eager to come to the U.S. A strong optional purchase. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)