¡Soy Cuba!
The 1964 documentary, I Am Cuba, celebrates the arrival of Communism to the island, and is filled with...err...revolutionary sequences by Russian cinematographer, Sergei Urusevski. Here's a legendary clip from the film that was shot at the Copacabana and features a clever continous shot that takes you from the roof of the hotel, all the way down to the swimming pool. Dig those swingin' cats wailing on the roof in their dunce caps! ¡Viva la revolución!
[Link: Soy Cuba]
Update: a million mahalos to Lili of fwak! for uploading the incredible nightclub, floorshow, and Loco Amor scenes, all shot in the long-lost Havana Trader Vic's! International Communism never looked more louche or insouciant! ¡Viva la Mai Tai revolución!
Comments
Communist propaganda had it's moments. Funny sidenote: Cuba gave a very very very small Island to communist Germany. Maybe I should try to claim it as Wiki-Lederhosen -Tiki-Land? I'll write a letter to the UN asap!
Posted by: orangeguru | May 1, 2006 12:27 PM
Funny, it took me a moment to remember that there even was a communist Germany.
Yes, and you can be the island's first ruler: King Karl Valentin BongoDieter I.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | May 1, 2006 12:51 PM
one of my favorite films! coincidentally, I was talking about SOY CUBA only yesterday.
...And I was going to attempt to upload the same clip to YouTube but someone beat me to it!
Posted by: lili | May 1, 2006 12:52 PM
Hey, Agent Chin, long time, no hear from you. I like your new MySpace digs.
If you have this movie on DVD, please upload the section shot at the Havana Trader Vic's...1,000s of Tiki Central members will thank you!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | May 1, 2006 12:57 PM
Mr Bali Hai, I would be happy to do so once I figure out the exact technical process. BTW, did you ever get my email?
Posted by: lili | May 1, 2006 01:27 PM
Yes, I just got it, Lili. Thanks! Looking forward to seeing the Vic's clip!
Posted by: MrBaliHai | May 1, 2006 02:15 PM
HERE IT IS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el1CGXEh1Tw
Posted by: lili | May 1, 2006 11:54 PM
it wasn't really a documentary, more a retelling of the revolution from the happy rebel's POV. An amazing black and white film, though.
Posted by: Jonny | May 4, 2006 08:35 AM
You are quite correct. I got confused with the documentary on the making of I Am Cuba that's been running on the Sundance Channel, I Am Cuba, The Siberian Mammoth.
Posted by: MrBaliHai | May 4, 2006 08:42 AM