"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.