Food & Movies

In our desire to learn more about Havana, we discovered that this city is picturesque from all over the island, from Morro Castle to Old Havana, to even the newer neighborhoods uptown. But since we came for the film festival we found ourselves crisscrossing the city, going from one movie theatre to the next, where lines of movier goers snaked down the block and around the corner.


And since our quest for movies inevitably led to the search for food, the two seem to be connected on this trip. What saved us from having to eat the worst pizza on the earth was Nicole's talent for referring to our guide book and map. Without Lonely Planet's advice we would have been worse off. When in doubt get the planet!! It's worth the money.

In regards to food, what we quickly learned is that in Cuba, it's all about the meat. And if fact, the more meat you eat the better off you are. There are markets everywhere with fresh meat sitting on tables. I'm talking slabs of meat, skinned legs of animals, juicy innards, dead chicken and cow parts sprawled around, and lots of pork everywhere, all raw animal flesh hanging from hooks, basking in the sun, a play ground for flies and shoppers.

It reminded me of La Marqueta, a huge meat market in Harlem, where I used to frequent with my relatives. Even the smell of raw meat was the same, and still made me quesy. I took these pics because I didn't believe my Mother would believe my stories of meat in the Cuban sun. While I may not appreciate it, the Cubans are rumored to be great at preparing the meat, and many people adore the dishes that result

The obvious thing is that vegetarians clearly have it hard here. Most Cubans are meat eaters, but there is a growing population of Cuban veg-heads struggling in this meat-oriented society. There is a chain of vegetarian restaurants that is at least a step in the right direction for people like me, though too pricey.

Because of this, our main dishes tended to be rice and black beans with salad. Nicole was clearly at a disadvantage, and thus limited in what she could consume. Rice. Black beans (when available which isn't always) and salad. And then there are eggs, which aren't vegetarian but at least a protein option. Since I have more leeway, because I eat seafood on ocassion, I did have decent shrimp, fish, and lobster dishes, especially at one particular cafe we grew to adore for its food and the warmth from the people running the joint.


Once while we ate there we also got a chance to sit next to a table of famous Cuban hip hop artists. The Waitress, a fabulous AfroCuban sister, was clearly star struck and fawned over them. From their fly outfits to the number of people who walked up happily greeting them, Nicole and I decided to sneak a few photos as proof that we hung out in hip places and rubbed elbows with at least the Cuban famous. If anyone recognizes these raperos (rappers), drop me a line so that I may properly brag.

What we also learned is that Cubans love their sweets and their booze. Pastries. Cakes. Rum. Beer. We saw lines of people waiting to get their allotment of cakes. And when I mean cakes, I mean fancy cakes, like wedding cakes. We'd see people, kids, old ladies, men with canes walking the street, avoiding pot holes and hungry dogs, deftly holding these fancy cakes with icing, drooling for their sugar fix.

We also saw loads of people buying their booze by the bottles. Havana Club, which is Cuban Ron (rum), and cuban beer like Cristal. Havan Club is the country's premiere choice of drinks. The island grows its own sugar cane and refines its own rum. Everyone drinks it. Many even use it in religious Santera Yoruban ceremonies. Though I am not that much of a drinker, I must admit that Havana Club is superior, and by far better than stinky Barcardi. This is just my preference. I learned that though Barcadi is more popular internationally, and is supposed to be representative of Cuban rum, it's not. Most Cubans understand that Barcardi and Havana Club are worlds apart, even universes apart. Barcardi is loaded withtons of inpurities that adversely affects its taste, and gives you the worst hangovers. Havana Club is purer, tastier, richer. The story is that the Barcardi people have tried stealing the Havana Club's recipe, which is guarded like Fort Knox. When you taste the Cuban ron you understand why Barcardi does not even compare. When in Cuba, do a taste test and you'll see for yourself.

The Blog Returns

Okay, folks, so I have returned after being away from this blog for some time. My apologies. Since my last entry I have managed to complete my feature screenplay, an urban hip hop drama. Presently, I am developing it and am seeking financing. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Hopefully, you will all be seeing it in a theatre near you. Until then, I'd like to continue filling you all in on the trip to Cuba. Even in hindsight, it was great. Not just the images we captured, but the people we met, and the experiences we cherish.


What was amazing was how much the Cubans adore movies, and will stand around for hours watching crews work on the streets of Havana. Their fasciantion with movies is like everyone else's around the world.


While Nicole and I gawked like everyone else, I overheard Cubans pointing out famous actors captured somewhere in these pics. If you recognize anyone gimme a holla and let me know, because I sure didn't recognize anyone. Cultural media icons certainly don't translate if Cuban movies can not be screened in the United States. Yet another reason to end the embargo. A star is a star is a star, right?





The other two things I realized while standing around watching, are that production crews do the same technical things when it comes to shooting. It doesn't matter what kind of camera is employed. When there's too much sun and glare, you still need a scrim to screen out the sun. The other thing I noticed is that people of African decent are still under-represented behind the camera. Here in the U.S. and there in Cuba it is a rare thing to see an African woman like myself directing, even though we're out there trying to break through the glass ceiling. In Cuba, Gloria Rolando is an amazing AfroCubana director who has created stunning work, yet she still struggles to direct. I read an amazing interview with her in which she says how essential it is for society to ensure that people of color and women create their movies because we challenge the status quo; yet often we are not given the opportunities and must scrape together our own chump change to make what we envision. I can totally relate. Still, we perservere because we love filmmaking and have many stories to tell. My one wish is that audiences grow conscious of needing to support people of color filmmakers. It's not enough to see movies with people of color actors. Change must come behind the camera.

Las Krudas Rulez!

Though it's been sometime since my last entry regarding the trip, and my memory might not be as fresh as it was after the trip, I muyst admit that I am still enamoured with Las Krudas. Las Krudas is a Cuban Hip Hop group that used to consist of three women, two AfroCuban woman and sisters, Wanda and Odaymara Cuesta, and Olivia Prendes. They are feminist, lesbian hip hoppers breaking it down, keepin' it real. Las Krudas is now just Odaymara and Olivia, and they're still holding it down. Their music is not only tight, and engaging, but the lyrics are though-provoking and critical. It was a pleasure spending time with these sisters, sharing food as vegi-hedz in cuba, drinking club ron, the world's quintessential rum, and talking about nights away.

2/07 This is a major update!!! Las Krudas, all three members are back together, now living in the U.S. Here's a shout out to my girlz!

check 'em out:

http://www.myspace.com/krudas