Educational Media Reviews Online

This video series from Glenn Gebhard brings the viewers to the streets of Cuba where Cubans, never shy about expressing their opinions and emotions, relay their dissatisfaction with Castro and their present economic situation. Episode One, A View from Havana, filmed in 1994, explains that in order to know Cubans one must know Havana. Maybe so, but imagine NYC residents as spokespersons for all Americans. Cuban "peso" stores are empty, while Tourist shops, which take only American dollars, are filled with merchandise and customers. As Gebhard points out, Cubans are only allowed in tourist areas to serve, much the same as pre revolution Cuba. Cubans still like to boast of their education system, evident from their rationales and philosophy. Lack of motivation has lead to lack of production, one opines.

A revisit two years later, Episode Two, A View from Havana and the Bay of Pigs finds a rise is private enterprise, wary though the participants may be. The Black Market and prostitution are thriving. There is a growing gap between the haves and the have-nots. Most citizens, especially the Afro-Cubans, revel in the defeat at The Bay of Pigs. And school children recite fairy tales of the proletariat, bombs, magical white shoes, coal co-ops, and Yankee Imperialism. They are the last of the Party line.

Roots of the Revolution, filmed in 1998, chronicles the increasing dissatisfaction with Castro of the growing Hard currency renovation, paid for by tourist dollars. Gebhard follows the routes of the revolution, visiting landmark sites. Even San Juan Hill, whose importance is an unknown even to local guide, is being refurbished for hoped for American tourists. The series reaffirms that is really isn't politics, it's the economy, stupid. Recommended for university, large public, and Latin American collections.