If you’re looking for movies about Cuba to watch before your trip, keep in mind that mainstream cinema doesn’t often show the real Cuba accurately, mostly because of the US trade embargo. Filmmakers have had to be creative and shoot outside of Cuba a lot of the time. For example, the “Cuban” scenes in Die Another Day (2002) were actually shot in Spain, and the scenes in X-Men: First Class (2011) that were supposed to be at the Bay of Pigs were actually filmed in a studio with a little bit of on-location shooting in Georgia, USA!
Now that the US and Cuba are becoming friends again, Hollywood has access to the island once more. Fast & Furious 8 (2017) marked the beginning of this new era, with exciting car chase scenes filmed in Havana. Even though Havana’s streets aren’t ideal for high-speed chases, Hollywood is good at creating illusions.
However, the most authentic movies often come from within the culture itself, and Cuba has a rich cinematic history. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best movies about Cuba to watch before your trip.
A Slice of Life: Suite Habana (2003)
Suite Habana is a great documentary that offers an authentic glimpse into life in modern Havana. It has a simple structure, yet it is thoroughly engaging. The film simply shows an average day in the lives of thirteen residents of the Cuban capital. The subjects are everyday people with ordinary stories to tell. However, this is not the point of Suite Habana. Nevertheless, it is one of the most celebrated movies about Cuba in recent memory.
The documentary uses a fly on the wall style, with minimal interaction between the subjects and the filmmaker. There is also practically no dialogue. This means that viewers can sit back and take in the film without needing an explanation for everything.
Surreal and Brilliant: Memories of Overdevelopment (2010)
This film is unique because it was shown in US cinemas, even though it was only shown in a very few theaters. Director Miguel Coyula used a unique style that jumps back and forth between the present and the past. He even used animated sequences, which gives the film a strange feeling. The story is about a smart person who decides that the ideals of the Cuban Revolution are not for him. But the film is not very critical of the revolution. Even so, it does ask some interesting questions. It is a thought provoking look at Cuba’s recent history, which is full of color.
A Celebration of Music: El Benny (2006)
An excellent biopic of beloved Cuban musician Benny Moré. The story contains a lot of tragedy, as Benny died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 43. In the film large parts of his story are fictionalised. In the end the result is a quite vibrant and colourful movie with an excellent soundtrack.
Maybe One of the Only Movies About Cuba You’ve Seen: Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
Buena Vista Social Club is a concert film directed by the famous German filmmaker Wim Wenders. A huge hit with audiences in the late 1990s, it felt like everyone had a copy of the soundtrack. Cuban music has always been popular around the world, but this documentary helped to introduce it to a whole new group of people. Many of the main scenes were filmed in Havana itself, which was rare for an international co-production in 1999. It is a very interesting story about two cultures clashing. The music in this film is absolutely beautiful, and you might want to find a copy of the soundtrack for yourself!
A Landmark Parody: Death of a Bureaucrat (1966)
Cuban movies that make fun of the Cuban Revolution are rare. So Death of a Bureaucrat (La muerte de un burócrata) is a real gem. It doesn’t make outright fun of the revolution, but it does gently poke fun at many everyday situations that became common after things changed in Cuba. It’s a funny movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Hello Oscar: Strawberry and Chocolate (1993)
The last film on our list is a surprise hit: Strawberry and Chocolate. Although it didn’t win an Oscar, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1994. This crowd-pleasing comedy was embraced by both Cuban and international audiences for its gentle ribbing of certain aspects of Cuban life.
Like Death of a Bureaucrat, Strawberry and Chocolate pokes fun at bureaucracy in Cuba, with various elements of society represented by different characters who face off against each other. The film is hilarious and makes its point without being overly critical.
The last film on our list is a film that came out of nowhere was nominated for an Academy Award. The award for 1994 Best Foreign Language Film. When watching Strawberry and Chocolate, you can see why this crowd pleasing comedy was loved by both Cuban and international audiences. Like Death of a Bureaucrat, the film makes gentle fun of certain aspects of Cuban life. With various parts of society represented by different characters facing off against each other.
Making gentle fun of bureaucracy in Cuba without being overly critical. It’s also a very funny film.