Bitter Sugar

Rating:
Summary: A real Gustavo
Review: I would like to add a touch of realism to this movie. I just returned from Havana where I visited this old friend of my family. He appeared in Bitter Sugar interviewed in one of the real scenes captured while people from Havana marched in spontaneus protest against Castro's regime back in the early nineties. This particular scene was filmed in Havana by a tourist who sold the footage for the film; the other scenes were filmed in Dominican Republic. Castro would have never allowed anything like that to be filmed there. He can be seen only seconds in the movie talking to journalists with indignation about police brutalities. "They are hitting and kicking peaceful people with sticks" This young man, I know him since we were children back in Cuba, was arrested because of that and sentenced to one year in a concentration camp charged for "insubordination to the authorities". Cuban jails fulfill the East European Concentration Camp criteria according to the international standards for these facilities. With the exeption of the Gas Chambers, but hey, the tropical heat, lack of sanitary condition and undernourishment takes care of that; besides no one really knows how many young people die there and no one knows how many are there forr simply expressing their "politically incorrect" opinions. After completing his sentence he requested his "criminal record" and he found out that there was no files on him or his conviction. That is the new way Castro's goverment hides the numbers of human rights violations from the rest of the world and keeps looking nice in front of the "festive leftwing" sympathizers around the world who blame US for every misfortune.

Rating:
Summary: The Socialist Myth.
Review: The viewing of this video should be made mandatory for each and every college level political science class in this country.

Rating:
Summary: A Cuba That Cannot Be By Itself
Review: This movie reflects a Cuba in decay under communist rule, just like Russia. It teaches us that a country cannot subsist under one ideology and that if a country cannot be self-sufficent, it risks its freedom under capitalism or communism. The freedom to be of varied ideology and foundation of values are a necessity to a nation. Cubans that still support Fidel Castro, once they see this movie, should return to Cuba and be true to their ideology-communism, which does not work. For the human is motivated by system of reward, a sense of accomplishment, religion...and the freedom our country offers. Cubans have failed to find a middle ground, and thus became the puppets of two major world powers. Castro now embraces capitalism as he has financially enriches himself while the country is in chaos and economic straits. This is a must see movie by the world at a great bargain.

Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY STUNNING AND POIGNANT
Review: This is a beautiful movie that depicts the tragic reality Cuban young people have to face in the island. Great direction, acting, music & photography. It is highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A wake up call
Review: Excellent movie. I am not Cuban. I am the child of a Holocaust survivor. This movie offers a clear picture of the experience young people have in Cuba today. The Socialist/Communist ideal is presented in a beautiful package to the young until they are ready to claim those promises. Suddenly there are only excuses and the reality sets in. It awakens the young to the reality of what this dicator and his government are about. Mostly false illusions and lies. There is a theme of love/hate. Love for a country and hate for the politics.

Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL!
Review: I am NOT cuban but my mother is, so I am going to be frank about this movie and not give it two thumbs up only because of that. I've never been to cuba but I've heard all the stories from families and friends. I thought the love story and the performance by the entire cast was incredible especially "Gustavo's" brother and father. The father reminded me of my great grand- father becuase when he spoke he spoke like a poet with words of wisdom. Mayte Vilan is breath taking, beautiful, she stops traffic, etc... I applaud the "Director" for chooseing an all star cast of cubans to play the part of cubans. Hollywood always uses other hispanic nationalities, for instance Puerto Ricans portraying Cubans and so on as if they're was a latin shortage in this country. I loved this movie as a filmgoer and as an American of Cuban dessent. After seeing this movie all I wanted to do was hop on a plane and go home to Miami, but I can't I am in the military. :( This movie should be a tool for film schools. I feel that the movie was more a love story than a politicle statement. The movie did teach me a lot about what cubans can and are not aloud to do and those things were thrown into the film only to educate people like my self. I loved the movie and its a movie worth giving as a present to cuban relatives.

Rating:
Summary: Important, interesting, powerful, yet uninformed
Review: I have nothing but admiration for Fidel Castro. I am Cuban who presently resides in the United States of my own accord. My employment opportunities were limited in Cuba, and Fidel Castro personally gave me permission to leave Cuba. I have been sending my mother and grandmother money for 10 years. Eventhough the situation is tense, it is the fault of the United States and its stupid embargo which makes our country so poor. Socialism is the best form of government, and Castro is a true revolutionary. Unfortunately, the U.S. has continued to deprive us of those things which we deserve. So what if we confiscated the property of American citizens. What business did they have owning lands in Cuba anyway? And for all those rich Cubans who are now stationed in Miami, what the hell is your problem? Did you all think that you could keep hoarding the wealth and lands forever? Socialism is the way of Cuba, get used to it.

Rating:
Summary: Poignant , moving & truthful
Review: This was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time as it very meticulously depicts life in Cuba & gives those people who haven't lived there, a better understanding of why we risk our lives trying to leave Cuba rather than stay in a country governed by such a filthy, deceitful regime. I should know, I was born & raised there & almost died at sea searching for something better. For those who feel that this movie is not truthful, I invite you to live in Cuba, like all the "ordinary" Cubans & then we'll sit down & talk......

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie!
Review: I viewed this movie about a year ago and I liked it very much. Of course, the movie does not touch all of the social-economical and political situations of the island. We would need more than this movie, but in its essence it touches very important points such as the oppression of the people, the misery and the need of freedom. The end was not convincing, because I doubt that someone would have the chance to get a gun to shoot the dirty face of Castro otherwise many others would have done that a long time ago. Castro is so coward that everytime he goes to feed the people with his empty words and bad breath, a whole army is around the place where he is going to stand to express his stupid ideas. It is a shame that the Perl of the Caribe has a president that should be sent to another galaxy. Unfortunately, I do believe that he is there because we allowed him to be there, and will be there as long as we allow him to stay, because when the people realizes that no more sacrifices are worth, and that Cuba does not need a Castro to be Cuba; that Cuba is not to serve Castro or any other president, that the president is the one to serve Cuba then he will dissappear together with his dogs like Alarcon and others. Abajo Fidel!

Rating:
Summary: Bitter Sugar is Excellent!
Review: This movie is excellent to watch and is based on a true account that happened in Cuba a few years ago. It really sheds light on how awful, oppressive, and manipulative the Cuban government is, and also you can also see the underground struggle for personal freedom and democracy that many of the Cuban people share but can't outwardly express. This movie is a very powerful film.