Afro-Cuba: Yesterday & Today

Two exciting, colorful films spotlight the African roots of Cuba's culture by focusing on two legendary artists. Afro-Cuban mythology plays a major part in the Last Rumba of Papa Montero (Octavio Cortazar, Martinique/Cuba, 1992, 52 minutes.), a film about the rhythmic dance style known as the legendary rumba king, Papa Montero, who was assassinated during Carnival. Told through beautiful images, sensual music, and exciting dance performances, this story captures the traditions of Cuban life as it guides the main character to his fate. Next, the multilayered Sara Gomez: An Afro-Cuban Filmmaker (Alessandra Muller, Switzerland/Cuba, 2005, 76 minutes.) focuses on the biography of Cuba's first female director. Though trained in ethnography, Gomez later turned to making films that reflect her interests in Afro-Cuban culture and women's issues.