“This is a panorama of Cuban history, not for experts, but for younger Cuban-Americans and others interested in the history of the island,” said Jaime Suchlicki, ICCAS director. Suchlicki hopes to distribute the educational 26-minute video to local schools. “It makes a great gift for anyone that wants an introduction to Cuba” explained Suchlicki.
Using archival footage and photos, the piece begins with Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the island, chronicles the early life of the native Indians and moves through the early years of the republic. Noted Cubans are highlighted. These include Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, a Cuban sugar plantation owner who led the first war against Spain; Dr. Carlos Finlay, a pioneer in the discovery of the origin of yellow fever and José Marti, the Cuban national hero and distinguished writer.
The film culminates with Fidel Castro’s revolution, Cuba’s eventual turn to Communism and the present state of affairs in the island.