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"Guaguasi"
1979
Directed by Jorge Ulla
Seen through the eyes of a dismally naive peasant
who falls in love with a Havana chorus girl, Guaguasi is a
mesmerizing view of the Cuban Revolution. As this absurd romance is
orchestrated and betrayed by Guaguasi's mentor, the dramatic elements of a
love triangle emerge as a compelling metaphor for a country in transition.
Cuban director Jorge Ulla handles the story expertly, avoiding turning it
into a political tract. Quirky, nearly surreal, and touchingly human, the
film perpetuates the myth of Havana in glorious decadence. It also leaves
us with a mysterious yet powerful snapshot of one of the most significant
events of the 20th Century. "Beautiful, humane, and undogmatic... A moving
and disturbing story of sexual innocence and corruption" (Susan Sontag).
Dominican Republic. Spanish with English subtitles. 107
minutes. |
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