Films & Schedules - U

In 1961, in the expansive first days of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro asked three visionary architects—Ricardo Porro, Roberto Gottardi, and Vittorio Garatti—to build the Cuban National Arts Schools—one school each for dramatic arts, modern dance, ballet, music, and sculpture—on what had been the golf course of a country club. But before construction was completed, the Revolution took a Soviet turn and suddenly the project was denounced as bourgeois and counterrevolutionary. The story has many more fascinating twists and turns as these radical, magnificent buildings become a prism through which we see the turbulent, ever-shifting history of Castro’s Cuba and...

In 1961, in the expansive first days of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro asked three visionary architects—Ricardo Porro, Roberto Gottardi, and Vittorio Garatti—to build the Cuban National Arts Schools—one school each for dramatic arts, modern dance, ballet, music, and sculpture—on what had been the golf course of a country club. But before construction was completed, the Revolution took a Soviet turn and suddenly the project was denounced as bourgeois and counterrevolutionary. The story has many more fascinating twists and turns as these radical, magnificent buildings become a prism through which we see the turbulent, ever-shifting history of Castro’s Cuba and follow the fates of the three architects, now in their 80s, who would get a second chance to revitalize their utopian project. (86 mins.)

First Feature.

Sponsored by Richard Stein Design.

FILM REVIEW

DIGITAL

Interests: Art, Documentary.