The Sugar Curtain (2007)

Synopsis: THE SUGAR CURTAIN, written and directed by Camila Guzman Urzua, is a documentary that hauntingly captures present-day Cuba. Through interviews with childhood friends who have remained on the turbulent island, Urzua sets out to compare it to the "paradise" she grew up in--the country's... THE SUGAR CURTAIN, written and directed by Camila Guzman Urzua, is a documentary that hauntingly captures present-day Cuba. Through interviews with childhood friends who have remained on the turbulent island, Urzua sets out to compare it to the "paradise" she grew up in--the country's prosperous era during the 1970s and 80s. During a time when Cuba boasted a nearly 100 percent literacy rate, Urzua and her schoolmates were provided free education, as well as acceptable dwellings and plenty of supplies and resources, as the country's stability was due to the economic support of other communist regions. But three decades later, the Cuba that once was, that remains in Urzua's memory, is no more. Her friends and family who have remained there reflect on the country they have so much loyalty toward, and have learned to embrace the struggles that now plague the once thriving and hopeful nation. This documentary is a must-see for history buffs who can't get enough about the significance of Cuba's impact, not only on its people, but also globally. Urzua, daughter of well-known Latin American filmmaker Patrizio Guzman (SALVADOR ALLENDE, MADRID), is an exquisite documentary filmmaker, demonstrating her talent with the mesmerizing shots that linger on the dilapidated scenery, and focusing intently on the faces of her interviewees--not only presenting a portrait of history but also illustrating a fierce passion for a nation that continues to try to find its place in the world. [More]