Pabvitraa Ramcharan

Beautiful documentary that captures the true heroes of Cuba- regular people who persevere even when it seems as if the world is against them. The strong bond between the Borregos despite being poor farmers, Caridad's bravery to leave her home and kids for America to give them a better life, and Luis' ability to turn his life around exemplify the hardworking Cuban spirit. Or maybe it was the American spirit of hard work, individualism, and entrepreneurship... I don't believe this was Communist propaganda at all. If you really pay attention, you'll see that after the revolution the people had their local businesses and factories shut down in favor of state run stores, that the medical equipment (shortage of medicine on the shelves, the 1960s biopsy tool in the 2000s, etc.) was outdated and dangerous during "free healthcare," that families completely relied on remittances from America for water and food, and that after all those 45 years of promises, it was like time stood still since there was still a lack of development in Cuba. Yet, the people still saw Fidel Castro in a trusting light because he's all they've ever known (literally, there's billboards of him everywhere). And at the very least he recognized the growing problems Cubans were facing and still are facing unlike Batista's government before. But in the end, Castro had no choice but to turn Cuba into a tourist haven before its collapse from US embargoes and blockades and his lack of infrastructural development. I wished Mr. Alpert would speak more on this. Also, just because Mr. Alpert wanted to see Castro again and joked around with him doesn't mean he agreed with Castro's policies, nor is he forcing you to see Castro in a positive or negative light. He's showing you him as a person, his personality, charisma, and dreams that caused some to revere him and turn out in swarms upon his birthday celebration and others who disliked him and celebrated his death. Kudos to Mr. Alpert for dedicating a huge portion of his life on this. Emotional at times. Very memorable.