BALSEROS {CUBAN RAFTERS} (TV)
Summary
This Academy Award-nominated documentary feature, filmed over the course of seven years, follows the experience of several Cuban "balseros," undocumented immigrants who came to the United States in homemade rafts. The program begins with an explanation of how the Cuban economy suffered greatly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to unprecedented riots and protests. Thousands of people are repeatedly rejected in their attempts to secure U.S. visas and resolve to make it to America via other means, and Guillermo Armas explains that intends to travel on a raft to Miami, where he will finally reunite with his wife and young daughter. Elsewhere, Rafael Cano comments on his reasons for departing Cuba, though his sister notes that she was unaware of his plans until he returned home in frustration, having been kicked off one of the rafts by "delinquents." Common-law spouses Juan Carlos Subiza and Misclaida Gonzales work to construct their raft, and Misclaida's sister Méricys explains that she has turned to prostitution to pay for the necessary supplies. Oscar Del Valle describes how his own attempts to build a raft have been hampered by bad weather and limited workspace, but he remains determined to make the trip. Some time later, his sister emotionally recalls the large crowd that gathered to see Oscar and several others off into the sea, comparing it to a gathering for a celebrity.
Several of the balseros describe the haunting experience of seeing other empty rafts on the water and hearing other refugees' cries for help as their own vessels failed. In August 1994, President Clinton announces that illegal Cuban immigrants will be barred from entering America and will be taken to the Naval base at Guantánamo if caught, and several of the captured raft passengers record reassuring messages for their families back in Cuba. Méricys, still in Havana, is frustrated when the American and Cuban governments reach an agreement about the refugee ban, and she resolves to find a legal way to leave the country. Eight months later, she has landed a job and is still working towards her goal, though she notes that she and the other families have received no word for many months about their relatives held at Guantánamo. In May 1995, a rule is passed stating that those with clean records from their detainment period may enter the United States in a lottery-selected order. Miriam Hernandez happily explains that she was given preferential treatment because of her epilepsy and made it to Miami, though without her young daughter. Guillermo reunites with his family, and Oscar attempts to adjust to life in New York City, though he is taken aback by some of the challenges of a capitalist society.
In Miami, many of the balseros meet with Sofia, an outreach worker from a Catholic association who sends them to various cities around the U.S., promising that they will have many solid job opportunities. Juan Carlos and Misclaida are sent to Hartford, Connecticut, where they are given financial assistance with their bills and urged to learn English. Oscar settles into a handyman job in the Bronx and falls in love with a co-worker despite having a family back in Cuba, and Juan Carlos and Misclaida grow frustrated with their limited financial options as they attempt to buy a car together. Miriam struggles to handle her ever-growing absence from her daughter, and Rafael settles into a peaceful life in Nebraska. Five years later, Oscar's family members explain that they have not heard from him in a long time, and Oscar explains that he was briefly involved with organized crime and "lost the American dream in five minutes" after being accused of domestic violence by another girlfriend. He admits his guilt at neglecting his family upon receiving a letter from his estranged daughter and begins to reconsider his plans, while elsewhere Miriam, who has had a second daughter, meets with an advisor and is strongly urged to apply for official citizenship in order to bring her older child to America.
Guillermo, working at an office-supply store, states that he is happy in his new life and grateful to be reunited with his family, including his daughter, who is preparing for her quinceañera. Juan Carlos, who has found a new home and a job at a garage, explains that he and Misclaida split up following her affair with a friend, Reinaldo. Misclaida describes her life in Albuquerque with Reinaldo, admitting that she is involved with crime and still greatly missing Cuba. Rafael's family members grow concerned and contact an investigative television show when he seemingly disappears for several months, but he turns up alive and well in San Antonio, having devoted his life to religion after a serious car accident. Méricys, still in Cuba, explains that she recently won a visa raffle and will finally be able to travel to America with her young daughter, though she has a hard time tracking down Misclaida upon arriving in Florida. She eventually finds her in New Mexico and the two sisters have a joyous reunion, though Méricys soon realizes that Misclaida's dangerous lifestyle poses a threat to her own child and makes the difficult choice not to live with her. The film closes with a dedication to the balseros and their ongoing struggles in America.
Details
- NETWORK: Cinemax
- DATE: March 16, 2004 6:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:59:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:86142
- GENRE: Documentaries
- SUBJECT HEADING: Documentaries; Cuba - Social conditions
- SERIES RUN: Cinemax - TV, 2004
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Tom Roca … Executive Producer
- M. José Solera … Executive Producer
- Sheila Nevins … Executive Producer
- Nancy Abraham … Supervising Producer
- Loris Omedes … Producer
- Danielle Schleif … Associate Producer
- Josep M. Domènech … Director
- Carles Bosch … Director, Writer
- David Trueba … Writer
- Lucrecia Pérez … Music by
- Guillermo Armas … Interviewee
- Rafael Cano … Interviewee
- Juan Carlos Subiza … Interviewee
- Misclaida Gonzalez … Interviewee
- Méricys Gonzales … Interviewee
- Miriam Hernandez … Interviewee
- Bill Clinton