On July 11, unprecedented protests erupted across Cuba. Most media organizations portrayed the demonstrations as a cry for freedom against Communism. But the reality was far more complex. Journalist Liz Oliva Fernández explores the root causes of the devastating economic crisis that has pushed Cuba to the brink. She takes the viewer to Cuba’s working-class neighborhoods, where we see the impact of ever-intensifying U.S. sanctions during the COVID pandemic and the near fulfillment of a 1960 State Department memo justifying the purpose of the U.S. embargo: “[to deny] money and supplies … to decrease … wages, to bring about hunger, desperation, and overthrow of government.”
Belly of the Beast, which produces the series, is hosting The War On Cuba screenings and discussions across the country throughout the rest of the month of November. Find your city below, or RSVP here for our virtual screening taking place this Saturday.
In case you missed them, catch past episodes of The War on Cuba here.
***
“The War on Cuba” is a documentary series focused on the crippling effects of the U.S. embargo against Cuba and the interests driving U.S. policy toward its third closest neighbor. The series won a One World Media Award in the Popular Feature category, beating selections by the BBC World Service and Al Jazeera English. It is executive-produced by Oliver Stone and Danny Glover.
CUBA ES LA ISLA QUE BRILLA DE AMOR
SI CUBA NO TUVIERA EL BLOQUEO
FUERA LA CAPITAL del mundo