Global Treasures: Havana - La Habana, Cuba

Global Treasures: Havana - La Habana, Cuba is an enthralling documentary that transports viewers into the enigmatic world of Havana, the capital city of Cuba, a nation suspended in time and rich in history and culture. The movie captures the city's unique blend of the old and new, the traditional and the contemporary, leading viewers through a visually compelling journey reminiscent of a vibrant postmodern picture book.

The film opens with the exploration of Havana's illustrious history, rich in multicultural influences like Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures, that collectively shaped the city and its people. It floods your senses with a profusion of vivacious music, distinctive architecture, effervescent dancing, and intoxicating flavors that are the pulsing lifeblood of this city.

Global Treasures: Havana - La Habana, Cuba, prominently highlights architecture by leading viewers on a mesmerizing tour, showcasing the architectural grandeur standing resolutely despite the grueling test of time. You get a feast for the eyes with a plethora of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, well-preserved Spanish colonial homes, and public squares including the Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de Armas.

The film moves on the city's icons and landmarks like El Morro Castle and the bustling Malecon, both being iconic symbols of the city’s storied past and its present-day challenges. La Habana Vieja, or Old Havana, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spotlighted, showcasing the area's quaint, narrow streets, numerous museums, theaters, and art studios.

Havana's vibrant side is aptly captured in this film, with scenes set against the everyday life of the residents of this bustling metropolis. Street vendors, classic vintage cars, dynamic music scenes, casual strolls on cobblestone pathways, and interactions with local citizens lend an aura of timelessness to the film, immersing the viewer in a deeply charming and visual experience of the life in Havana.

Perhaps one of the most arresting features of Havana captured in the documentary is its vibrant art scene. The film displays the city's thriving artistic fraternities, adroit artisans, intimate galleries, art studios, and influential programs that foster creativity, marking Havana as a global center for cultural expression.

Towards the later part of the film, the documentarians transport viewers to the coastal areas of Havana, exposing them to captivating images of crystal clear waters, sun-drenched beaches, and a thriving marine life that serves as a strong reminder of the city's oceanic influence. The film nicely captures how intimately the sea is woven into the city's life - equally a source of livelihood, leisure, and inspiration.

The documentary artistically uses differing lenses to zoom in on the city’s neighborhoods such as Vedado, the center of modern culture and nightlife, and Miramar, home to international embassies and luxurious residences. These showcasing helps to reveal Havana in layers, unpeeling one at a time to reveal a city of vivid contrasts and unexpected surprises.

Special attention is given to the tobacco industry which is an integral part of Cuba's economic geography. Located just on the outskirts of Havana, scenes from the tobacco plantation and local industries are highlighted as essential aspects of the Cuban lifestyle and cultural identity.

The well-paced narrative is deftly accompanied by a stirring soundtrack, featuring an engaging mix of traditional Cuban music and local rhythms, which truly uplifts the visual journey. The insightful voice-over informs and educites about Havana's history, heritage and contemporary life, maintaining viewers' interest throughout the journey.

Global Treasures: Havana - La Habana, Cuba is so much more than just a sight-seeing trip. It encompasses everyday life, society, culture, customs, and values that reflect the resilience of Cuba. It's not merely a showcase of the city's grandeur and elegance but digs deeper, to the vibrant, warm, resilient, hard-working people of Havana.

This film gives you a broad canvas of a destination that is not a frozen image, but a living, breathing city that is under constant evolution. The movie is an invigorating experience, a must-watch for history buffs, travel enthusiasts, and cultural explorers seeking to understand and appreciate the amalgam of diverse influences, the unique stories, and artistic treasures that lie at the heart of Cuba's capital city, Havana.