First Hit: A beautiful intimate story about a young man coming into his own during the 1994 crisis in Cuba.
Here Cuba is going through an economic crisis because the Cold War between the United States and Russia has ended. Russia, being Cuba’s benefactor, is in its own turmoil and this satellite country of theirs, just 90 miles from the United States, is now caught without a support system.
The country is in deep poverty, the government supplied electricity is sporadic, and food is difficult to find. People are fleeing the island in unsafe boats and other homemade floatation devices and attempting to make their way to the US.
It’s August of 1994 and Carlos (Damian Gonzalez Guerrero), and Carlos is out of school for their recess. He’s in love with Elena, as is his best friend, Mandy. The talk on the radio is how people are fleeing Cuba.
His grandmother is old, lives with him, and is in constant need. She lives with him and his mother and father. She has bouts of daydreams and fantasies. He takes care of her by feeding her, talking with her, and giving her water when she cries out.
In one poignant scene, his grandmother seems to intuitively know that sex is on Carlos’ mind, so she tells him that his deceased grandfather was an outstanding lover. Her graphic details were hilarious to me in the audience but very confusing and educational to Carlos.
The beautiful photography of a decaying Cuba highlighted by spots of fresh paint on a few walls exemplified the economic struggles and hopeful outlook of this prideful nation in crisis.
What makes this film stand out was the non-verbal power of Guerrero to share Carlos’ struggle to become a man. His sweet way of holding Elena’s hand, and their first sweet kiss was exquisite. When he thinks Elena wants more in their subsequent kiss, he’s shocked and hurt in Elena’s rebuffing him.
When he sees Elena sitting on a wall holding hands with Mandy, the audience can feel his hurt. Then to add to his quiet ways, the reluctance to share his sadness with his mother when she asks him about what is wrong exemplifies many young boys' unwillingness to share these types of troubles with their mothers.
After he learns that Elena’s family has left on a boat to the US, he decides to take matters into his own hands and find a way to escape the island. His hubris and inexperience show up on the beach at night.
Guerrero was sublime, and I felt like I knew him because I was him during different moments of this story. The rest of the actors Alejandro Guerrero Machado, Glenda Delgado Dominguez, Luis Ernesto Barcenas, Rafael Lahera Suárez, Lola Amores Rodríguez, Verónica Lynn López, and Tatiana Monge Herrera were excellent in their respective roles. As writer and director, Armando Capo put together a beautiful piece of art while sharing a very personal story.
Overall: This gorgeous film marinates within you long after you leave the theater.