CUBA: Defending Socialism, Resisting Imperialism (documentary)
Encyclopedia
CUBA: Defending Socialism, Resisting Imperialism is a documentary film produced by Rock Around the Blockade
in 2010. The film consists of a series of interviews with various Cuban workers including farmers, a healthcare worker, a lawyer and an economist as well as footage of May Day
in Cuba
. It was filmed during the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
in Havana
and Pinar del Río
, Cuba. The film also includes interviews with Rock around the Blockade activists based in Britain who describe their experiences and were on the brigade to Cuba during which the film was shot.
. Berstowe and Hoque have expressed open support for the Cuban revolution, describing that they became inspired by Cuban revolutionary history and see it as a movement forward for humanity. Berstowe said that in preparing to make the film, he deliberately set out to refute common misconceptions held about Cuba – misconceptions that he argues are deliberately propagated in the UK by a press that is hostile to the very idea of socialism. Speaking to the Camden New Journal in 2010, he said: "It is not so much a story of our trip, rather an investigation of concepts of Cuban democracy and law, their constitution and people's reaction to life there."
The filmed was launched at a screening held at the Venezuelan embassy in Britain, Bolivar Hall, on 8 June 2010. An earlier small screening was introduced by Rafeal Ramos, a youth member of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) who was visiting the UK at the time.
"A great little film with a lot of food for thought and a good corrective to all the anti-Cuban stuff in the media, the interviews are fascinating and say a lot about the difficulties the country continues to face... very interesting in terms of Cuban ideas of grassroots democracy and the problems of running an economy with a blockade."
Derek Wall - former Principal Speaker of the Green Party
'This film was summed up by the quote "I thought when I went to Cuba I could say if it was socialist or capitalist; having been I now say its a society trying to build socialism". A very realistic appraisal of Cuba which has not airbrushed out the difficulties there.'
Steve Hedley, RMT London Transport Regional Organiser
'An insightful and provocative study of major changes taking place in Cuba today. The Cuban economist interviewed explains things extremely well. Necessary viewing for all seeking to understand contemporary Cuba.'
John Kirk, professor of Latin American Studies at Dalhousie University
, Canada (Kirk has published several books about Cuban international relations, history and culture. His most recent publication, co-authored with Professor Michael Erisman, 'Cuba's Medical Internationalism: Origins, Evolution and Goals', was published in 2009 by Palgrave Macmillan).
The film was shot using a Sony
HDV
camcorder and edited using Final Cut Pro
Rock Around the Blockade
Rock Around the Blockade , is a Cuba solidarity organisation in Britain founded by members of the Revolutionary Communist Group in 1995. RATB sees the struggle to defend the Cuban Revolution as part of building a movement for socialism and communism in Britain...
in 2010. The film consists of a series of interviews with various Cuban workers including farmers, a healthcare worker, a lawyer and an economist as well as footage of May Day
May Day
May Day on May 1 is an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival and usually a public holiday; it is also a traditional spring holiday in many cultures....
in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. It was filmed during the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
Cuban Revolution
The Cuban Revolution was an armed revolt by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement against the regime of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista between 1953 and 1959. Batista was finally ousted on 1 January 1959, and was replaced by a revolutionary government led by Castro...
in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
and Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río is a city in Cuba. It is the capital of Pinar del Río Province.Inhabitants of the area are called Pinareños.Neighborhoods in the city include La Conchita, La Coloma, Briones Montoto and Las Ovas.-History:...
, Cuba. The film also includes interviews with Rock around the Blockade activists based in Britain who describe their experiences and were on the brigade to Cuba during which the film was shot.
History of the film
The documentary is produced and filmed by Antony Berstowe and Ethercham Hoque. The two film makers visited Cuba by joining a solidarity brigade organised by Rock Around the BlockadeRock Around the Blockade
Rock Around the Blockade , is a Cuba solidarity organisation in Britain founded by members of the Revolutionary Communist Group in 1995. RATB sees the struggle to defend the Cuban Revolution as part of building a movement for socialism and communism in Britain...
. Berstowe and Hoque have expressed open support for the Cuban revolution, describing that they became inspired by Cuban revolutionary history and see it as a movement forward for humanity. Berstowe said that in preparing to make the film, he deliberately set out to refute common misconceptions held about Cuba – misconceptions that he argues are deliberately propagated in the UK by a press that is hostile to the very idea of socialism. Speaking to the Camden New Journal in 2010, he said: "It is not so much a story of our trip, rather an investigation of concepts of Cuban democracy and law, their constitution and people's reaction to life there."
The filmed was launched at a screening held at the Venezuelan embassy in Britain, Bolivar Hall, on 8 June 2010. An earlier small screening was introduced by Rafeal Ramos, a youth member of United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) who was visiting the UK at the time.
Press
The film has had a good reception and support from trade union organisers and other left-wing activists in Britain."A great little film with a lot of food for thought and a good corrective to all the anti-Cuban stuff in the media, the interviews are fascinating and say a lot about the difficulties the country continues to face... very interesting in terms of Cuban ideas of grassroots democracy and the problems of running an economy with a blockade."
Derek Wall - former Principal Speaker of the Green Party
'This film was summed up by the quote "I thought when I went to Cuba I could say if it was socialist or capitalist; having been I now say its a society trying to build socialism". A very realistic appraisal of Cuba which has not airbrushed out the difficulties there.'
Steve Hedley, RMT London Transport Regional Organiser
'An insightful and provocative study of major changes taking place in Cuba today. The Cuban economist interviewed explains things extremely well. Necessary viewing for all seeking to understand contemporary Cuba.'
John Kirk, professor of Latin American Studies at Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is a public research university located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The university comprises eleven faculties including Schulich School of Law and Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine. It also includes the faculties of architecture, planning and engineering located at...
, Canada (Kirk has published several books about Cuban international relations, history and culture. His most recent publication, co-authored with Professor Michael Erisman, 'Cuba's Medical Internationalism: Origins, Evolution and Goals', was published in 2009 by Palgrave Macmillan).
Technical information
- Duration: 47 minutes
- Aspect ratioAspect ratioThe aspect ratio of a shape is the ratio of its longer dimension to its shorter dimension. It may be applied to two characteristic dimensions of a three-dimensional shape, such as the ratio of the longest and shortest axis, or for symmetrical objects that are described by just two measurements,...
: 16:9 Widescreen - Format: Colour, PAL
The film was shot using a Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
HDV
HDV
HDV is a format for recording of high-definition video on DV cassette tape. The format was originally developed by JVC and supported by Sony, Canon and Sharp...
camcorder and edited using Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is a non-linear video editing software developed by Macromedia Inc. and then Apple Inc. The most recent version, Final Cut Pro X, runs on Mac personal computers powered by Mac OS X version 10.6.7 or later and using Intel processors...
See also
- The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak OilThe Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak OilThe Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil is an American documentary film that explores the Special Period in Peacetime and its aftermath; the economic collapse and eventual recovery of Cuba following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991...
- Salud! - A documentary about the Cuban healthcare system and its contribution to international healthcare
- Rock Around the BlockadeRock Around the BlockadeRock Around the Blockade , is a Cuba solidarity organisation in Britain founded by members of the Revolutionary Communist Group in 1995. RATB sees the struggle to defend the Cuban Revolution as part of building a movement for socialism and communism in Britain...
- Revolutionary Communist Group (UK) - Marxist-Leninist group responsible for setting up Rock Around the BlockadeRock Around the BlockadeRock Around the Blockade , is a Cuba solidarity organisation in Britain founded by members of the Revolutionary Communist Group in 1995. RATB sees the struggle to defend the Cuban Revolution as part of building a movement for socialism and communism in Britain...