Iranian director makes documentary on Cuba

Veteran Iranian director Shahrokh Bahrololoumi is making a documentary about Cuba’s recent history starting from 1959.

Fifty-One Years of Independence covers the Latin American country’s music, as well as Cuban interest in Iranian music and traditions such as the Persian New Year (Nowruz) celebrations.

“Cuba is a byword for its dance and architecture; every corner is like a tableau,” Tehran Times quoted Bahrololumi as saying.

“All of these as well as the people’s joie de vivre will be shown in the documentary.”

The idea of making such a film developed when I visited Cuba as an assistant director to acclaimed filmmaker Masoud Kimiai ten years ago, Bahrololomi told ISNA.

He also said that they had found a rare film archive in the country, which some of its films were to be used in the documentary.

The shooting of the 90-minute Fifty-One Years of Independence is scheduled to be finished by the Persian New Year on March 21 and Bahrololumi plans to dedicate it to Kimiai.

“Cuba achieved independence 51 years ago, after which the United States has imposed sanctions against the country,” Bahrololomi said.

“The sanctions have had a negative impact on the culture and daily life of Cubans, but what encourages them to continue with life is their special spirit of struggle.”