Educational Media Reviews Online

Havana Divas explores the legacy of Chinese culture as maintained by residents of Havana, Cuba. The film follows two Cuban-born Cantonese Opera divas: Georgina Wong Guitierrez, the daughter of a Chinese father and Cuban mother, and Caridad Amaran, the daughter of two Cuban parents who was raised by her Chinese step-father. The film follows these women as they recall how Chinese traditions were instilled in them growing up and how they have worked to preserve these traditions for generations to come.

While the film’s title may suggest a sole focus on the performing arts, its scope is quite comprehensive. Throughout its runtime, viewers are presented with a narrative of historical events spanning several decades. Each event is explored on its own, as well as in relation to the overall plot. This allows viewers to understand the importance of such events, regardless of their existing knowledge on the subject. The film also parallels the experiences of the Chinese immigrants of Cuba with those of the United States, particularly San Francisco and Honolulu.

Overall, the production of Havana Divas is by no means flashy; both the cinematography and scoring remain subtle over the course of the film. This allows the dialogue to take center stage, letting the subjects tell their own stories without the influence of outside factors.

The main theme of the film is the preservation of a culture, both by those who have emigrated from a given country and by those who have never lived there. This topic is explored from all angles, detailing the experiences of Chinese immigrants and their descendants The film also explores how Chinese culture is preserved in its home country. Because the film depicts the nation’s culture through several sub-genres, this film will appeal to a wide audience; those interested in history, music, theatre, and film will likely find something to enjoy in Havana Divas. Likewise, libraries specializing in history, film, and the performing arts should consider adding this film to their collection.

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