This feature-length documentary from 1974 takes viewers inside Fidel Castro's Cuba. A movie-making threesome hope that Fidel himself will star in their film. The unusual crew consists of former Newfoundland premier Joseph Smallwood, radio and TV owner Geoff Stirling and NFB film director Michael Rubbo. What happens while the crew awaits its star shows a good deal of the new Cuba, and also of the three Canadians who chose to film the island. (NFB)
Direction
Rubbo turns his own failure into the entire point—genius self-awareness.
Writing
The unscripted absurdity of three Canadians explaining Cuba to Cubans.
Director
Michael Rubbo
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Smallwood was the last father of Confederation still alive; his presence was meant to lend diplomatic gravity that completely backfired.
Rubbo pioneered 'negative capacity' in documentary—embracing uncertainty rather than imposing narrative—which directly influenced later filmmakers like Werner Herzog.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
CA
