oscar jubis
08-08-2003, 01:25 PM
BALSEROS, Spanish for "rafters", is a documentary culled from interviews of Cubans who took advantage of Fidel Castro's vow not to interfere with their attempts to sail to Florida in flimsy, home-made rafts. It's the Summer of 1994. Living conditions have become unbearable after the disintegration of the USSR and the end of financial subsidies to the island nation. An attempt to hijack a ferry was thwarted by the Cuban Coast Guard. This event and ongoing deprivations trigger street disturbances. Carles Bosch, a documentarian for Spanish public television, travels to Cuba and forges relationships with people building rafts out of inner tubes, canvas, and any materials available.
BALSEROS focuses on seven emigres and their relatives, those remaining in Cuba and, in some cases, those already living in the U.S. We meet Guillermo, who yearns to reunite with his wife and daughter in Miami. He decides to take to the sea after his third failed attempt to obtain a visa from the U.S. Interests Section. Rafael, a noble single man, is thrown off his raft by bullies but manages to embark another rudimentary vessel. Oscar, a sculptor, promises to work hard to succeed and send for his wife and daughter. Juan and Misclaida, an attractive couple whose divergent personalities are immediately apparent. Mericys, Misclaida's sister, who earns money from prostitution to buy wood and tubes to build a raft. Inclement weather forces her to return to shore to wait for another opportunity. The U.S. and Cuban governments finally agree to stop the exodus. Many perished at sea. Most were intercepted and detained at Guantanamo Naval Base for over a year. We meet Miriam at Guantanamo. She is allowed to fly to the U.S. after only nine months of detention due to her epilepsy. She left a 1 year old daughter and elderly mother in Havana but has relatives in Miami eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Bosch and co-director J.M. Domenech follow their subjects to the U.S. Some stay in Miami or NYC with relatives. Others are sent to Nebraska, Connecticut, New Mexico and New Jersey with assistance from Catholic agencies. We witness their reactions to new environments, their efforts to adapt, to make a living. The filmakers travel to Cuba to present relatives with messages and video of their loved ones, facilitating contact between emigres and those left behind.
Bosch and Domenech decided to expand their documentary into a feature in 2000, when they learn that Mericys has finally been granted a visa (approx. 1/2 million apply yearly for 20,000 visas). They manage to track down those who arrived in 1995 and present footage detailing their current lives. Interviews reveal changes in their perceptions of themselves, the U.S., Cuba and their relatives. The approach is reminiscent of Michael Apted's series of UP documentaries.
BALSEROS consists almost exclusively of interviews. There is no editorializing, no manipulation of facts, no narration or commentary. There is no discussion of the U.S. embargo, Cuba's repression of dissidents, the "Elian" affair, or such political topics. Just interviews charged with emotion and rich in detail, allowing us to draw our own conclusions about a variety of pertinent issues. These are stories of success and failure of courageous men and women struggling to improve their lot. BALSEROS is also about a country trying to live up to its defining characteristic: the ability to provide opportunities to immigrants and to be enriched by their contributions.
BALSEROS focuses on seven emigres and their relatives, those remaining in Cuba and, in some cases, those already living in the U.S. We meet Guillermo, who yearns to reunite with his wife and daughter in Miami. He decides to take to the sea after his third failed attempt to obtain a visa from the U.S. Interests Section. Rafael, a noble single man, is thrown off his raft by bullies but manages to embark another rudimentary vessel. Oscar, a sculptor, promises to work hard to succeed and send for his wife and daughter. Juan and Misclaida, an attractive couple whose divergent personalities are immediately apparent. Mericys, Misclaida's sister, who earns money from prostitution to buy wood and tubes to build a raft. Inclement weather forces her to return to shore to wait for another opportunity. The U.S. and Cuban governments finally agree to stop the exodus. Many perished at sea. Most were intercepted and detained at Guantanamo Naval Base for over a year. We meet Miriam at Guantanamo. She is allowed to fly to the U.S. after only nine months of detention due to her epilepsy. She left a 1 year old daughter and elderly mother in Havana but has relatives in Miami eagerly awaiting her arrival.
Bosch and co-director J.M. Domenech follow their subjects to the U.S. Some stay in Miami or NYC with relatives. Others are sent to Nebraska, Connecticut, New Mexico and New Jersey with assistance from Catholic agencies. We witness their reactions to new environments, their efforts to adapt, to make a living. The filmakers travel to Cuba to present relatives with messages and video of their loved ones, facilitating contact between emigres and those left behind.
Bosch and Domenech decided to expand their documentary into a feature in 2000, when they learn that Mericys has finally been granted a visa (approx. 1/2 million apply yearly for 20,000 visas). They manage to track down those who arrived in 1995 and present footage detailing their current lives. Interviews reveal changes in their perceptions of themselves, the U.S., Cuba and their relatives. The approach is reminiscent of Michael Apted's series of UP documentaries.
BALSEROS consists almost exclusively of interviews. There is no editorializing, no manipulation of facts, no narration or commentary. There is no discussion of the U.S. embargo, Cuba's repression of dissidents, the "Elian" affair, or such political topics. Just interviews charged with emotion and rich in detail, allowing us to draw our own conclusions about a variety of pertinent issues. These are stories of success and failure of courageous men and women struggling to improve their lot. BALSEROS is also about a country trying to live up to its defining characteristic: the ability to provide opportunities to immigrants and to be enriched by their contributions.