Love & Suicide

I heard about this film from the Nova Scotia Cuba Association, checked out the website and ordered the DVD, which arrived yesterday. I am 'hooked on' Havana and was so excited by the images in the trailers that I watched the film immediately. I love what Moro has done here. Havana may well be the lead character in this film, although I love Moro's character, Alberto. He seems to represent the what I have found in the Cuban people that I have met; he is insightful and spiritually wise. Daisy McCrackin is charming and Kamar De Los Reyes is wonderfully tragic. It is VERY important for people who live in the US to see Love and Suicide. It is difficult to believe that Cuba exists as it does, so near and so very far from the Bush regime. Whatever one has to say about the Revolution and the subsequent hardships for the Cuban people, this is a luscious and an historically important film, reminding us that it is a sad and beautiful world in which we live. End the blockade and free the five!

I saw "Love and Suicide" last week in NYC at the Latino Film Festival and thought it was wonderful. I highly recommend this film to everyone. It is a very important film as well as a touching love story. A story about the power and importance of forgiveness, family, friendship, desperation, making connections, going back to your roots and the beautiful surprises that happen in life. the ending is genius and the acting is superb. Kamar De Los Reyes is an extremely talented and intelligent artist. He will blow you away in this complex role. Luis Moro's writing will stay with you. And Lisa France's directing will leave you feeling as if you were with these characters every step going through some of the most painful and some of the most beautiful moments of their lives. There is one scene in particular which the artists said was all improv that is just phenomenal.

This is a compelling film, not just in the plot line but also its look into Cuba as it is today. Ms. France shot the film beautifully, allowing the majesty of Cuba to tell its own story. What I really like about this film is that is shows Cuba and how the people live there with out manipulation or feeling sorry for them. You see the poverty, but Ms. France doesn't shove it in your face like, "See how awful they live? Don't you pity these people?" You can feel your own emotions as you view this part of the world.

As for the story telling, Kamar is powerful and deep as a man tormented by his past. (I don't want to say much more than that because not knowing is as important as knowing the plot of the film as it unfolds.) Moro is funny and the real clear voice of the story. At times it can be heavy handed with the drama, but I forgive that for how it evolves and surprises the audience.

Definitely worth experiencing, and if you like owning films, you should have this historical film in your collection. You likely won't be seeing too many more films shot in Cuba, if the U.S. Government has anything to say about it.

The production values of this film are topnotch. One is simply immediately drawn into the eternal beauty of the city. The main characters are cardboard---you get no feel for who they are and you rapidly grow to not care. Their motivations are not convincing for neither Love nor Suicide, but the undisputed star of the film is La Habana with it sites, sounds and sights. Alas, everything else is subordinate. Luis Moro was the most credible actor in the film and his scenes depicted the gritty reality of Cuba along with the Cuban values of home and family. I hope there is a future opportunity to fully realize the potential of Luis Moro's inspiration and directorship to truly compliment such an aesthetic value.

Independent filmmaker Luis Moro is one of those eccentric, rare personalities that will elicit emotion out of you upon first meeting him. Praise and controversy over his film, Love & Suicide has skyrocketed this 6'1' dark, handsome Cuban actor/writer into indie stardom. His character Alberto in the film was seamless, with such a carefree attitude one wonders if he knew the camera was on him. "There's a lot of me in Alberto", said Moro during a recent screening at the HBO New York Latin Film Festival. Three hundred people packed the theater and gave the film a standing ovation. The audience laughed and were moved to tears. Alberto's character is optimistic, persistent and consistently draws laughs. He lives life with a purpose…he has that peace within. Audience members commented after seeing Love & Suicide that Moro's performance was the all out hit of the film.

Luis Moro, was born in Cuba and raised between Union City, NJ and Washington Heights, NY, he graduated from Rutgers University where he studied acting while lettering in Football. He came to the US when he was five via Mexico, after his mother escaped from Cuba. "I was a double immigrant, smuggled in and out of two countries." His boyish charm is contrasted by his exuberant personality. One cannot help but be intrigued by his no nonsense approach to life, but again one contrast after another has led him to an insatiable humor that never quits. He is tireless, he says, because he loves what he does. You can see that by his welcoming attitude to over 100 fans that stood in line to meet him after the New York screening last week. He has received numerous nods of approval from critics and audiences alike who flock to art houses and festivals to see this indie hit, Love & Suicide, a story of a man (Kamar de los Reyes) who goes to Cuba and discovers the one thing between love and suicide.

"This movie is a dream come true for me. As far back as I can remember I wanted to make a movie in Cuba," he reflected. "I didn't know I was going to make history, but I did know I wanted the world to see Cuba." History is what Luis Moro made when he became the first American filmmaker to shoot a feature length film in Cuba in 46 years. His fearless pursuit of freedom and his constitutional rights has kept Luis Moro on top. His bank ability has been a welcome result to hard work, making five indie films back to back. Industry insiders are paying attention to Luis, and offers are starting to come in for work with people he has only dreamed of working with. "This is a true Hollywood story," said a young Latina standing in line. "He literally started as an extra, and look where he is now," touted her girlfriend.

"My wife, Barbara, really believes in me and has been my biggest supporter, as well as representing me for now," he stated. "She really has my back." They have five children to support on an indie salary. They both have already done the hard work, especially now that AMC Theatres has committed to screen Love & Suicide. AMC Theatres will open the film in the heart of Miami August 11th.

"The thing about him is he charms kids as well as 80 year old's, and everyone in between. I don't know anyone else like him." his wife Barbara said over the phone from their home in Los Angeles.

"Know your Moro" his website proudly says. That is a bold statement, but coming from a bold visionary you can't help but laugh, because if you know your Moro, you will be laughing too.

Written by Marc Justice, Freelance writer