Krudas 2006
Distributed by Frameline, 145 Ninth St., Suite 300, San Francisco, CA 94103; 415-703-8650
Produced by Machete Productions
Directed by Boeri Imwinkelried, Gwenn Lloyd Jones, Yusimi Rodriguez, Melio Mouamma
DVD, color, 29 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Music, Latin American Studies, Women's Studies, Gay and Lesbian Studies
Date Entered: 01/15/2009
Reviewed by Brian Falato, University of South Florida Tampa Campus Library“Krudas” is the name of a Cuban duo, Posita Krudas and Pelusa Krudas, who are pioneering female rappers in Cuba. The two are a lesbian couple, so their work advocates gay rights as well as female empowerment. They have formed an organization to promote women hip hop artists called omega, and also run a theatre group for children.
Krudas the video is really a promotional piece for the duo. Several of their raps are featured, and the two women are the only ones interviewed. There is no narrator for context, no consideration of larger issues, and unanswered questions, such as the circumstances of the departure from the group of Posita’s sister Wanda. Posita says only that Wanda “is now abroad.” Did she defect from Cuba? Leave because of arguments with the other members? The viewer never knows.
Also not discussed is the level of oppression endured by gays and lesbians in Cuba. The 1984 documentary feature Improper Conduct showed that homosexuals in Cuba could be imprisoned and undergo electro-shock treatment to convert to heterosexuality. If the Cuban government has become more enlightened in its views on homosexuality, we don’t learn about it in this video.
This is the kind of documentary that could appear on one of the MTV networks, but it’s not generally recommended for purchase by libraries. Public libraries with large collections in Latin American studies or rap music may want to get it, but the lack of substance means academic libraries should rule it out.