On the Starting Line
(La arrancada)
Aldemar Matias | Documentary
2018 | 63 minutes | Cuba, France
This intimate family chronicle, seen from the perspective of two women, unfolds the portrait of a generation unsure of what’s next in Cuba.
Synopsis
Jenniffer is a young athlete who questions her commitment to the Cuban national track and field team. Her mother Marbelis runs a health center in Havana with an iron fist. When her younger brother wants to leave the country, Jenniffer's doubts grow stronger and stronger. Presented at the Berlinale, a powerful and moving documentary narrates the experiences of an athlete who lives a permanent crisis of faith with the national sports federations in Cuba.
Reviews
"The choices that Jenniffer, Marbelis, and Yesnier all grapple with are undoubtedly large ones, and [Aldemar] Matías gives viewers an honest, heartfelt look into their lives." — Carmen Paddock, One Room With A View
Citation
Main credits
Matias, Aldemar (filmmaker)
Hurst, David (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematographer, Aldemar Matiaso; editing, Jeanne Oberson.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Afro-Latin Studies
Caribbean Studies
Culture + Identity
Family
Migration Studies
Political Science
Women
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Berlin International Film Festival; It's All True International Documentary Festival; Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Aldemar Matias
NATIONALITY: Cuba, France
YEAR: 2018
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adults
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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