Bitter Sugar

I would like to say that this is not a Cuban movie as identified in many video stores and the IMDB. This is a film made by exiles. I think it somewhat does reflect many things true in Cuba. They do have a reverse pyramid there as displayed by the young man that was educated resorting to serving drinks to tourists. The educated people don't make as much money as a low skill worker in tourism. Prostitution as portrayed in the movie is highly accurate. The exiles that made this movie definitely have good information of contemporary Cuba, which I can't say about most exiles. Most exiles have a very ignorant impression of cuba (see the 'Elian' conflict). Some of the story lines were a bit over the top: The needle injection; the ridiculous ending. But the work situation and problems of 'jineterismo'(prostitution) are very acurately portrayed. These exiles can't be from Miami. Miami would make a movie similar to '1984'.

I enjoyed this movie very much. I think it is a good resource to learn about Cuba. The constant battle between Neo-liberalism and Socialism was done very well, and I learned so much about the two systems. All of the different characters are affected in different ways by both systems and shows the strong emotion throughout.

This movie has love that cannot be, rebellion, and a family that struggles to make it. It is in black in white, which is very effective because none of the points in the movie are black and white. There is always a shade of gray. The music is enjoyable and really keeps the movie flowing at a steady pace.

This movie is a great way to learn about Cuba and is enjoyable to watch as well. I highly recommend it.

"Azucar Amarga" (translated "Bitter Sugar") was a totally ignored foreign language film gem that never really found an audience when it was initially released in 1996. It is modern-day Cuba and two young adults (Rene Lavan and Matye Vilan) seem to be finding love with one another. Lavan believes in Castro's Cuba and the Revolution. He also dreams of going to university in Prague to become an aeronautical engineer. He quickly falls in love with Vilan, but her life and opportunities do not seem near as bright. She realizes that Cuba is not the place for her and that the United States (namely Miami) is the key to her overall survival. Lavan just dismisses what he feels are distorted views from Vilan until he becomes an enemy in the Cuban machine due to his younger brother's wild antics (played superbly by scene-stealer Larry Villanueva). Villanueva is disenchanted by the fact that he is unable to play the music he loves in his band and also the fact that he (and no one in the country for that matter) has any say in turbulent Cuba. He takes drastic measures (intentionally infecting himself with AIDS via blood from a syringe) to get his message across to the peoples of his homeland. And of course later on Vilan becomes little more than a glorified prostitute to foreigners at a high-class Cuban resort that does not allow Lavan in. In the end, all will make life-altering decisions to escape their lives in Cuba. "Bitter Sugar" is one of those raw foreign films that works because of outstanding writing and solid direction. The performers are all perfect as well. Vilan is illuminating in a film of darkness. Her amazing beauty and versatility makes a lasting impression. She is the most memorable part in a film full of solid memories. Shot entirely in black-and-white, the production creates a tone that makes the audience feel the hopelessness and depression of a country that has somewhat found itself in limbo since Castro's takeover on December 31, 1959. 5 stars out of 5.

Although this film does depict the struggles that Cubans face in long lines, tourism versus professional jobs, prostitution that arose from opening up the country again to Americans and other foreigners (after the Revolution, it was at a record low), it is incredibly one-sided. It talks about the woes of the country without depicting the positives. Therefore, for anybody starting to learn about Cuba, I highly recommend to watch more informative films. I need not warn about the dangers of basing information based on a one-sided film that makes you presents a complex country through a narrow lens. This film reflects the perspective of the director who was exiled from Cuba. It is a good start, but other perspectives need to be considered. Films I would recommend that are both incredibly engaging and tell a more holistic story from multiple perspectives: Fresa y Chocolate, Lista de Espera, Guantanamera, and Viva Cuba, to name a few.

It is amazing how many people are ready to criticize this movie when they have NO direct knowledge of Cuba or its sociopolitical situation.

Myself, I have been to Cuba, traveled its highways, walked many of its cities and towns' streets, and had long conversations with the common people as well as government officials.

As a result, I can tell everyone reading this that in no uncertain terms that the problems portrayed in Azucar Amarga are very real. The prostitution, tourist aparteid, and growing dispair shown in this film are completely accurate.

Cuba is a country coming apart at the seams due to its contridictory existence as a communist state embracing the capitalist tourism industry to survive. Those Cuban with access to tourist dollars are surviving and those without access now beg in the streets. It is heart-wrenching but true.

Please avoid snap judgements of this film's accuracy until you too have spent weeks living the Cuban experience. Until then, you know nothing.