Cuban Film Festival

Join us for a powerful duo of Cuba’s most renowned films, weekend of the 26th of July, in The Ireland Institute, Dublin, on the anniversary of the start of Cuba’s revolutionary movement.

Still culturally blockaded by the USA, we’re delighted to highlight the continued cultural achievements and challenges through the lenses of their filmmakers since the 1959 revolution. 

Proceeds of the screenings will go towards the continued medical aid and cultural support for the island nation.

Supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba Ireland

Tickets available on Eventbrite

Clandestinos (1987)

“Part heroic epic and part political thriller … one of the most popular Cuban films!” — Ann Marie Stock, Framing Latin American Cinema

Thriller. Drama. Romance

Director: Fernando Pérez

Runtime: 01.31hr

One of the most commercially successful and ‘Hollywood’ of all Cuban films, this tense, action-packed political thriller chronicles the romance between two young revolutionaries in 1950’s Havana as they fight for their lives against Batista’s secret service. The film is based on real events from the early days of the revolution, and hailed by critics worldwide.

“A moving story of young people who loved and fought with the same passion.” — Gene Siskel, Film Center, Chicago

Soy Cuba (1964)

“Its visuals are as startling today as were those of Citizen Kane 55 years ago” – George E. Turner, The American Society of Cinematographers

Historical. Drama.

Director: Mikhail Kalatozov

Runtime: 02.21hr

This agitprop epic is at its core a study of pre-revolutionary Cuba told through four vignettes. Moving from city to country and back again, I AM CUBA examines the various problems caused by political oppression as well as by great discrepancies in wealth and power. Beginning in Havana in the pre-Castro era, we see how foreigners contributed to the city’s prostitution and poverty; this sequence features dreamy, hallucinogenic camera work that creates a feeling of unease and dislocation. Then, in glorious images of palm tress and fertile land, the film looks at the sugar cane fields in the countryside, and the difficulties faced by peasants working the land. Finally, back in the city again, leftist students battle the police and a corrupt government–and pay a high price for their rebellion.

Upon its original release, the movie never reached Western countries largely because it was a communist production, in the midst of the Cold War era, and due to the United States embargo against Cuba.

“With its delirious images and audaciously poetic style, Soviet filmmaker Mikhail Kalatozov’s hymn to revolution moves beyond ordinary logic to capture the mysterious beauty of collective utopia.” – Juan Antonio García Borrero