Hot Docs 2008

The cock fighting scenes were grueling, but the impressionistic filming technique produced by combining stills, video and stop-motion sequences kept my attention on the cultural and ritual aspects of this tradition and let me make my own judgments. Nicely done!

Cuban Song captures the languid island lifestyle and provides what feels like an authentic snapshot of Cuban society on the brink of change. The camera work gave the feeling of a casual, comfortable and almost random peek into Cuban society. The repeated interpretations of the song "Al vaivén de mi carretta" tie the film together nicely. The song's pre-revolution origin and continuing applicability to everyday Cuban life give the film its only hint of political assessment.