Criterion Collection 2024 Releases: I AM CUBA (Spine No. 1214)
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- čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
- TIMESTAMPS BELOW
1:16 Discussion on the film
39:11 Comments on the presentation
45:04 Comments on the supplements
1:07:05 Other points
1964, directed by Mikhail Kalatozov
Spine No. 1214
For more information about the film, please see:
www.criterion.com/films/33466...
For the Criterion essay:
www.criterion.com/current/pos...
For more Criterion Collection 2024 releases discussions, please see:
• Criterion Collection 2... - Zábava
Daisuke! Thank you so much for this discussion on the film *I Am Cuba* ! Again, due to the excitement that you and others expressed upon the announcement of this film coming to the Criterion collection, I put this film on my life's cinema journey wishlist. Thank you as always for helping to lead me to these films. I'm no expert in the history of Cuba and practically all I know about it comes from Scarface, Seinfeld, and the Elion Gonzalez situation, but still I have always been attracted to Cuba's exotic allure. There have always been these lingering questions in my mind as to what was the situation in Cuba like and I must admit, I am definitely attracted to the stereotypical image of the 'Havana style' with the music, clothing, cars, sugarcane, cigars, rum, special glassware etc etc. On top of this attraction level, there are the questions I have regarding Cuba's revolution and turn to Communism during this time in history and how does it tie to Russia? This film furthered my "education" big-time and witnessing the cinematography was a borderline religious experience for me. It is no wonder that Martin Scorsese is an advocate/savior of this film from disappearing into obscurity. The use of sound is something I must mention before I forget, but even now picturing that lounge singer and towards the end of his performance how the sound brings to mind certain scenes in Scorsese films. I'd be here all day mentioning certain shots in this film, but HOLY COW! I went into this film totally blind as far as what to expect and the black & white picture combined with the camera-work was beyond mind-blowing. One of my favorite parts of this film was when the scene is cutting between the old man sugarcane farmer and him spending time with his wife and child in the fields when he was younger before the situation became so dire and ironic... How they tell these stories and leave you so stunned about what the individual lives must be like in this country given all the situations going on. I now have so much more perspective when I think about Guantanamo, American involvement, Russian involvement, Castro, university aged involvement, all presented in this beautifully crafted film that has an almost documentary type of feel. This was so epic, Daisuke! Just to mention another situation in that great vignette about the sugarcane farmer. When he sends his kids off with his last peso and they use it for a Coca-Cola and to listen to music on a juke box... Just another amongst so many scenes that I love. The reaction of that man finding his love with the man, the camera on that boat towards the beginning, bombs falling that cause a man to turn to action, the camera going INTO a pool from the top of a building, beautiful Cuban women with Amy Winehouse-like beehive hairdos, a camera sweeping through a cigar rolling area, a narrator that transitions the vignettes brilliantly with these amazing shots of the environment... I could go on and on! This film is.... Revolutionary! How did it come to be that people from Russia would work so hard to put together this geniusly crafted film? I have not yet read the essay as of the time of this comment, but I look forward to acquainting myself with this film further. Your discussion and passion for this film has helped my experience immensely, as always! Yes, I am again so thankful for Criterion for allowing me to experience these films in such pristine condition. I eagerly await watching this film again when I have a proper 4K setup. Could it be that this beautiful film will look even better?!? My need to invest in the Criterion 4K releases becomes something for further consideration when I know I love these experiences so much. If I can get some sharper, higher quality images of Dr. Seuss palm trees and these beautifully chaotic scenes such as a drive-in burning down, then I will be so excited! If only Criterion's A-team worked on more releases these days. I would like to echo some previous sentiments I have shared about how I disagree with how Criterion has decided to do less with the presentation than in days past. It would have been epic to have been presented with a title screen image instead of just a grey Criterion 'C' upon putting this disc in the player and can we please start to see more stapled booklets or digipaks that could sometimes service to commemorate such epic titles like this one. In the end, those details are secondary to the fact that I am still a proud owner of this influential film. Thank you again for bringing attention to this, Daisuke! Cheers!
My dear dear friend, I am in Tokyo now and I am reading your comments. I am so very thrilled that you saw I AM CUBA!!! and as always, your powers of recall are brilliant. If you have any additional comments upon reading the essay, please let me know (and thank you also for voicing a similar view I have about stapled booklets!).
I absolutely love the Crane shot in this where they literally had to hoist a guy up in the streets of Havana. It's crazy, you see the city, then go inside for a bit before going back outside. Wild film
Thank you for this comment!!!! Yes so many brilliant and unbelievable camera shots!!!!!
I’ve been waiting for this release ever since I saw ‘The Cranes are Flying’
One of the greatest films that most do not know about!!
Thank you! This release may make it possible for more people to get a chance to see it.
i will buy the criterion version issues this film in next fall mouth
There it is. I AM CUBA. In my top 3 films of all time. Wish it had slip cover packaging.
What are the other two?
Thank you my friend!!!
It’s always nice to hear what you have to say about the new Criterion releases Daisuke. I hope you’re doing well, please have a great night and a great weekend. Take care!
Thank you so much for this Jared. I hope you have a great week.
Love Kalatozov in general but I have no love for this one. Couldnt get into it at all. Maybe I should revisit it…