About Us: Socialism or Death
SBS TV
Wednesday, March 9, 8:30pm (8 Adelaide)
Reviewed by Roberto Jorquera

No-one can deny that the situation the Cuban people face is extremely difficult. But one must put the difficulty into a political context or fall into simplicity and narrowness. Argentinean director Claudia Nye attempts to do this using the example of tourism.

The film explores the lives of two young women in Havana who have very different experiences and views of Cuban society. Ivania is disillusioned with the socialist system and wants to leave so that she can find greater happiness and freedom.

She expresses the view that the situation under the previous government of Batista could not have been as bad as it is now. Ivania explains that, due to declining living standards, she is forced to sell her body to tourists so that she can buy shoes and have a good meal.

Mara, on the other hand, is a well-known dancer at the Tropicana Cabaret, which caters for tourists. She is also a strong supporter of Fidel Castro and the revolution and a member of the Union of Young Communists.

Mara and Ivania both depend on tourism to make extra money, but that is where the similarity stops. Mara points out that although tourism has brought a number of problems into the country, it is essential for the survival of the gains of the revolution. She explains that the problems that they are facing are due to the economic blockade imposed by the United States, not to socialism.

Very interesting is the scene in which Mara and Ivania meet and express their different views to each other. After a frank discussion Ivania is relieved that she could talk to someone and that she has made a friend.

The film ends with Nye asking Fidel a question about tourism. Fidel replies that it is absolutely necessary for the Cuban economy, and thus they will face the problems head on and not shy away from them.

This article was posted on the Green Left Weekly Home Page.
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