Latin-American Studies

The films Cuba Va The Challenge of the Next Generation and Strawberry and Chocolate represent Cuban identity since the two decades of the Soviet Union collapse. This period is important because Cuba, an important ally of erstwhile Soviet Union, experienced transition in its identity, as represented by views of younger generation. Cuba also faced ire of the United States during the Cold War era. In the post Cold War era, Cuba showed changes in its identity. One particular section in the society began to question to previous ideologies. Previously, there were limited relationship between the US and Cuba. But, in the post Soviet era, Cuban families maintained relationship with Cubans in the US. This resulted in exchange of ideas between two countries, which contributed to changes in Cuban identity. (Brenner 2008)

The film Cuba Va shows differences between older and new generation. The views of young people pertaining to political, social, and economic conditions of Cuba are described in the form of dialogue, discussion, dress, and music. The older generation had participated in the revolution and was influenced by Marxist ideology as propounded by Fidel Castro. During the earlier days, Castro obtained support and recognition from Soviet Union, but in the post Soviet days, the younger generation can no longer look for support from the Communist Block. Cuban teenagers have accepted new music, culture, dress, and behavior, which differentiate them from their forefathers.

The film Cuba Va depicts frustration of people as they realize that Castro and his revolution have failed to achieve promised equality and social justice. The new generation represents pragmatic face of Cuba, which needs to come to terms with reality that they need to deal with market economy. The younger generation represents a changed identity as it asserts its independence and autonomy. Older and new generations exhibit rise and fall of new political identity.

The Cuban identity, in the film Cuba Va is not explicitly exhibited rather it is represented in the form of new genre of music, dance, dress, and behavior. The film gives an opportunity to teenagers and people who were born during post revolutionary days to contemplate concerning future of their country and society. The younger generation is forced to speak concerning social and economic crises that were threatening to attack their country. People of Cuba enter into discussion. The older generation believes that their country should be protected from onslaught of capitalism and market economy. The younger generation, on the other hand, complains that there is no freedom of expression in the country. This shows that young people have realized negative implications of socialist ideology.

The film Cuba Va has changed perception of Cuba. This is because general perception is that Cuba is a socialist country influenced by Marxist ideology, but the film depicts new generation, which shows interest in rock and roll music and changed lifestyle.  The older generation continues to defend socialist ideology as described by Fidel Castro. The young people, on the other hand, realize that they paid a price for their education. They argue that they should be given the freedom to decide their future. Unlike in capitalist countries, students are compelled to adhere to official ideology. The younger generation identifies differences between socialism and capitalism. At the same time, students detest intervention by American or any other foreign country.

Another film that depicts new Cuban identity is the Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y chocolate), which represents life of gays and intellectuals. It became both controversial and popular, as people showed interest to watch this film, which dealt with a topic, which was ignored by earlier filmmakers. The film showed that gays and intellectuals were suppressed in the Castro regime, which believed in popularizing official ideology. The success of this film showed that younger generation was prepared to accept this theme.

The gay in the film is identified in the film through narration of an incident, wherein Diego asks for strawberry when chocolate was available. This way, people who buy strawberry were considered as gays while those who bought chocolate were considered as normal. The film represents struggle between homosexual beliefs and official ideology, which believed in the use of force to compel people to accept socialism, the ideology of the state.

The film has characters such as Diego, the homosexual, David, and Miguel. David finds that Diego is homosexual and is suspicious of his behavior. Miguel pressures his friend David to spy on Diego and give information to the government. It appears that gradually David is attracted by Diego due to his ideology.
Diego obtains considerable attention due to two reasons first, he is homosexual. Homosexuality was not expected by contemporary society and second, he was considered as counter revolutionary, the person who opposed state ideology. The character of Miguel indicates that state did not tolerate independent intellectual movement that would have resulted in popular revolt against the government.  German is the friend of Diego. German plans to organize an exhibition of his artistic works. He is known for his critical and intellectual abilities. The government bans Germans exhibition as the bureaucracy is suspicious of German and his dealings with foreign subjects. This compels Diego to challenge the attitude of state towards gay and intellectuals who exhibited their autonomy. The film shows that during post Soviet era, younger generation exhibited its opposition to state ideology. This shows emergence of conflict between intellectuals and state ideology.

In the pretext of controlling homosexuality, the state attempted to repress intellectual movement, which represented revolt against the state. The bureaucratic system would not allow artists to create artistic objects that represented their attitude towards Marxism. Diego justifies his idea concerning Cuban Revolution.
The rigid attitude of Diego affects his livelihood as he loses his job. On the other hand, German compromises with authority and for this he is compensated as he is sent to Mexico. Diego is adamant in the sense that he adheres to his ideology. This shows that younger generation comprised of people who compromised with the authority and courageous people who revolted against rigid form of socialism that deprived freedom and autonomy to the younger generation. (Wilkinson 1999)

The two films discussed above show that Cuba, in the post Soviet days, had entered a phase of transition. The younger generation showed courage to argue with older generation and demanded freedom. The films indicate emergence of a new Cuban identity. During this period, Cubans enhanced their relationship with Americans.