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VIVA CUBA - REVIEW

VIVA CUBA(Spanish,2005)

Director : Juan Carlos Cremata

Cast : Jorge Milo , Malu Tarrau

This is a coming- of- age film , set in Cuba. The film mainly focuses on the relationship between children.

The story goes like this. Jorgito and Malu are two school going children , who live in the same locality. Their mothers are constantly at a cold war with each other , and keep pestering their child not to play with the other.

Little do the parents realize that Jorgito and Malu have become very close. Now,Malu's Grandmother dies , and Malu's mother decides to leave Cuba with her daughter , and live with her boyfriend. However, the Exit papers have to be signed by Malu's father , who lives in a far away corner of Cuba.

Malu does not want to leave Cuba and she conveys her feelings to Jorgito. They then decide to embark on a cross-country trip to meet Malu's father and ask him not to sign the document.

What follows , is a series of events , mainly centering around their journey from Havana , to Maisi , where Malu's father works at the lighthouse. And the search for the missing children.

This is one of the finest children oriented movies I have come across. The delicate relationship between the two children , is portrayed with perfection. The movie is shot very naturally , and there is no exaggeration whatsoever , as far as the characters are concerned.

We are faced with the inevitable question - When a couple gets separated , should not the parent holding the custody of the child , have the child's best interests at heart , when making a major decision ?

Malu's mother is disillusioned with Cuba , and wants to get out badly. She does not consult the child , and makes a hasty decision , basically urged on by her long distance boyfriend.

The Director does a fine job , as he has to deal with the simplest of story lines. But the result is amazing. The story in itself has nothing much to offer , but it is rather the execution , which keeps you interested. The beauty of the movie lies in the characterization of the children.

In the very first scene , we see the children fighting among themselves. The relationship between the two is shot so naturally. There is this simple , yet brilliant scene in which Malu helps Jorgito with an imposition at school. The affection which the two characters share mutually is brought out in the most refined manner possible.

The movie has been shot in some breath taking locations. The beaches , the fields of Cuba are made to appear even more beautiful , as their natural beauty is attenuated , by the wonderful friendship shared by the children. The film has a strong message that friendship has to be valued. Watch out for the scene in which the young researcher reconciles the two bickering kids.

The differences between their families are brought out right in the opening scenes. Jorgito's family members are staunch Communists , and Malu's mother is a strict Catholic. There is a small scene, in which the sign board on Malu's house reads " Lord,this is your house" , and the one in Jorgito's reads "Fidel,this is your house". A deft masterstroke !!

The movie is a tad too slow , and definitely not as good as "Kikujiro" , another similar movie. The runtime is only 80 minutes , but there were a few scenes which could have been either shelved , or shot in a different manner. Still , no complaints at all !! This manages to keep you interested in it.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this simple,yet touching movie , which manages to strike a chord.

VERDICT : Very good. ( 3.5 / 5)