The New Cuba

Cuba Irma Relief: All You Need to Know

By Jauretsi on September 15, 2017

It has been an intense Summer for Cubans. First, in mid June, President Donald Trump announced he would undo the Obama era of friendship with a bit of his antagonistic cold war language. Shortly thereafter, in early August, Raul Castro announced he would freeze any new business licenses , which tossed a wrench in the machine of a budding entrepreneurship that raised hopes for this generation. It’s been punch after punch for the Cuban people. Until now, the silver lining was that Cuba was headed toward “high-season” expecting a boost of travelers for the existing “cuentapropistas”, despite the fear of Trumps scary new travel regulations. It is after all, still legal to travel to Cuba with an authorized tour leader under one of 12 reasons.

Enter Irma. Boom pow. The utter blow. There’s no need to share the details. We’ve all seen the photos. It’s time to act fast to clean things up so they can get back on their [already fragile] feet. What is most important now is to lend support, despite all this good-guys-bad-guys rhetoric between US and Cuba. What I find more powerful is the amount of Cuban-Americans pulling together resources and contacts to make a difference. Moreover, I’m impressed by new individuals, non-Cuban, who have poured themselves into crowdfunding campaigns, and preparing to travel to Cuba with the funds as soon as this month. I’ve seen various mainstream NGO’s set up shop in the Caribbean. The island of Cuba, however, is extremely unique because, for starters, there is no UPS or FEDEX boxes between both US and Cuba. Telecommunications is a mess, and Cubans cannot text an American cell phone either. Checking internet requires a walk to a hotel lobby, or wifi park. Nothing is simple in Cuba. In addition to the barely slim NGO’s that the Cuban government allows on the island, it seems that humanitarian work in Cuba is essentially very grassroots, friend-to-friend, neighbor-to-neighbor. I’ve heard many puzzled colleagues this week ask “How can I help in Cuba?”. Here’s a clean sweep of immediate actions:

(Photo: Irma package from Cuban baseball player Yasiel Puig’s organization)

VISIT CUBA ON YOUR OWN

1- What to Bring: This checklist is the best reference for a “care package” today. Since there is no shipping of boxes to Cuba, this is what creates the biggest sense of helplessness when aiding Cuba. We’re hoping that after this damn embargo is lifted, that US and Cuba can find a diplomatic place in their hearts to finally open UPS or FEDEX to Cuba.

2- Airport Restrictions: One more important thing to learn is the quantity rule at the Cuban airport. No more than 5 same items or above are allowed to pass into the country. That means if you try to fly in (for example) eight of these Pamper packs, the customs agents will grow suspicious that you are bringing in the diapers for commercial purposes, and creating a black market. Absurd, I know. Don’t get me started. We learned this the hard way when flying into Cuba with Questlove who so kindly carried in 50 free Okayplayer watches in a separate roll-away bag. The mini-suitcase never left the airport, and well, we got jacked by customs. Just be creative with how many things you buy. On a busy day with lots of flights, the overwhelmed customs agents will not notice or count your belongings, but just realize, this is a “hit or miss” moment, so be mindful of this rule.

IF YOU CANNOT VISIT CUBA

If you are not flying into Cuba any time soon, and since you cannot ship anything to the island, the next best thing you can do from the outside is send money. One of the brilliant ideas I’ve witnessed in the last few days of Irma is this organization called ADOPT A FAMILY. Their model includes shipping boxes to a family in St Thomas. Of course, this model cannot entirely be done in Cuba but there is one piece of this concept that could work well.

If any reader cares to “Adopt a Family”, remember that there are 3 ways to help any Cuban family directly from the outside:

1- Western Union – Send direct money into the hands of a Cuban family. Details here.

2- Cell Phone Credit – With a simple online payment via credit card (or Paypal) to DING, an American can add cell phone usage minutes for a local. Remember that in Cuba, there are no competitive phone companies like AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint with monthly phoneplans. There is only one company — ETECSA, and all cell phones function as “pay by credit”. To do this, you will need the exact cell number of resident.

3- Internet Credit: This is credit that is donated so that a Cuban can spend more time online. It is paid to the same company as cell credit, but you will need the locals email address to add credit to their internet account. These final 2 things can greatly affect a family’s productivity for communicating with the outside world during a rough time. Visit DING to add credit to someones Cell or Email address (for internet time).

If you need help finding a family to support, send me a note on this comment board to match-make you with a Cuban family. If you choose to do this process, it will require some patience for you to use these online platforms, but once you “get it”, you will move swiftly and supply constant credit. The best part is, you will be in daily contact with an actual Cuban family.

VISIT CUBA WITH A SUPPORT GROUP

On the dates of October 25 through 30th, the CubaOne organization will be spending five days in Cuba helping out the communities most in need of cleanup and rebuilding. The stops include cities most affected by Hurricane Irma across three provinces (Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus and Santa Clara).

This trip is open to anyone and everyone who wants to help. Just agree to 3 things:

1- Each participant must fundraise $1,500

2- Each participant must pack a bag of supplies

3- Each participant must be ready to get to work helping the Cuban people.

If you’re down to join the adventure with soul, sign up at Cuba One Irma Relief.

IF YOU CAN’T VISIT, LET THESE PEOPLE GO FOR YOU

(Photo: Carlos Kako Escalona)

Cuban-based photographer Carlos Kako Escalona is flying to Cuba this Friday, Sept 15th. “We are raising money to buy basic supplies, food and water for their neighborhood” says Brenda Figueroa, his friend based in Miami. $10, $5 or even $1 counts. Carlos is heading to Cuba with the first round of funds made by Sept 15th. Him and Rachel Rojas will be handling the funds in Cuba, since they are very connected in the community and are highly trusted. They both live on the island. They want to mainly get help to the inner provinces where people have been most affected. The second round of funds (if more is collected), would be flown in personally by Brenda before the end of November.

To donate to this group of committed friends, visit Go Fund Me Aftermath

(Photo: Amanda Bjorn)

Amanda Bjorn is heading to Cuba soon. She just launched a campaign with Rocio Yepez of Fisheye Journey, which reached way past goal of 2K this week, instead making $2247! Their new goal is $5000. They will be bringing down the funds to the island asap.

Rocio says “We will be using this money to buy supplies here in Florida and Texas, which we will then transport to Cuba as early as next Thursday, September 21, 2017. These supplies will be divided into various packages that we will distribute evenly to friends, clients, schools, and community leaders over the course of a week both in Havana and Caibarien, a northern coastal town that was hit the hardest by the Hurricane”. Visit their campaign at: GOFUNDME/CUBA

If you prefer to send a care-package, please send it no later than September 25th to:
Rocio Yepez at PO Box No. 111205 Carrollton, TX 75011
If you are in the LA area, email amandabjorn@gmail.com for any other goods to deliver.

Yasiel Puig Valdés, the Cuban baseball player with an incredible story, has a foundation called “The Wild Horse”, which is also his nickname. The moniker was given to him by legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully. While playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, Yasiel joins the Cuban Community in the greater Los Angeles area in helping to raise funds to provide relief to hurricane victims. Any donation is welcome and will be distributed to Catholic Charities USA Disaster Operations which distributes 100% of donations received directly to affected communities. Last I checked, his Irma campaign acted super fast with a deadline of Sept 11th, so please double-check via the site if his hurricane campaign has extended. If not, there are many other Cuba initiatives to support regardless. Visit his campaign here.

Meet Pablo. This one-man campaign has the least infrastructure, but it comes from a hungry person ready to help, and more importantly, he is a body flying into Cuba to mule in the goods. Having received $685 out of his $5000 goal, this Cuban photographer named Pablo Diego is based in New York and has 11 days left on his Indiegogo campaign.

“Everyone that knows me knows that I’m really active when it comes to helping my beautiful island as much as possible” he writes. “With this fundraiser I’m trying to bring as much food, water, and basic necessities as possible to the most affected areas in Cuba. Even the smallest contributions make a big impact for these families in need who are now left with nowhere to go. I plan to fly myself down there to bring all your donations and the necessary help. Please, open your hearts and let’s come together to put food in their bellies, clean clothes on their backs, and give the communities strength to rebuild.” To donate, visit his page. I’m certain he would accept a care-package in New York to fly down to Cuba, as well.

—-

This other campaign is run by a Cuban actress living in LA (she was born and bred in Cuba). “My goal is to raise funds and help buy food, shelter and general supply for Cubans affected by the area facing El Malecon in Havana” writes Mariel Garriga. She has managed to raise $2028 of $5000 so far. She adds: “We want to support the community with water, food, shelter and supply. Any help counts. Because of the embargo isn’t easy to support the local community with easy transactions. We will personally handle the donations and be sure they will arrive to Cuba. We will post what we used the funds for as soon as the campaign is over.”

To donate or inquire more, check out her campaign at GoFundMe.

This particular organization are run by OG women. They work with the church since 1999, but since 2005, Friends of Caritas Cubana has provided needed services to the Cuban people – all with transparency to both the U.S. and Cuban Governments. Some of their efforts on the island take place in private homes or basement churches. They go to Cuba, at their own expense, at least twice a year to visit programs funded, conduct resource audits, provide technical assistance, and assess needs on the ground.

Their words: “Our primary objective is to help meet basic needs-water, food, and shelter, and so, our immediate plan is to raise funds”. You can listen to their story in this introduction video. Visit their donation page at Caritas of Cuba /Irma Relief.

EVENTS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

In Cuba: The guys at Arte Corte are more than just a barbershop. Over its short history, it has evolved in vision and scope, starting a partnership with the Office of the Historian of the Havana City, transforming into what is today, a Local Development Community Nonprofit Organization.

“We are working to organize a concert next week in our community to raise funds for those in need.” says member Camilo. Stay abreast for details on their instagram and please tell all your friends in Cuba, both visitors and local.

In New York: The NY based party called Cumbancha is currently locking up a bigger venue to throw a big Irma Relief night this month. The word “Cumbancha” refers to meetings that people attend for have fun, drink and dance. Usual party hosts are resident DJ’s BJoyce & Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound), with Okai Musik doing live drumming. You’ll be donating to a good cause, plus shaking your booty to Afro-Cuban House, Latin, and funky beats. Stay tuned for details on the upcoming bash on their official Cumbancha Facebook page.

That’s it for now….

This is the general energy bubbling within Cuban circles on a grassroots level. The trick is to carry lots of donations into the island by hand, and this will require a solid well organized community. If you can’t give money, please share, or comment below, and join the discussion to lend tips, contacts, or resources. No es facil, pero no es imposible.

5 Comments

Empower Caribbean Tech

By Jauretsi on August 10, 2017

(Photo: from Engadget)

Calling All Financial Supporters: Our friends in Cuba tech are heading to TechCrunch Disrupt SF this September, along with other Caribbean entrepreneurs, thanks to the support of Project Binario, Latino Startup Alliance, TechBeach, and Caribbeans in Tech. The New Cuba will be joining (and covering) the startup delegation visiting the States, who will have the opportunity to connect with VCs, thought leaders, and other relevant startups, as well as foster lasting connections among peers. We’re calling it “The Caribbean Pavilion”.

If you’ve never heard of TechCrunch, well, think of it as the worlds largest startup conference. Think HBO’s Silicon Valley show, where our shows fav protagonist Richard Hendricks first goes to gain the attention of the world for his little startup called Pied Piper. It was the conference that launched his whole career and the show (albiet many “ups” and “downs” during the rollercoaster dramas that ensued, but hey, nobody every said startups were easy!).

For the Caribbean Pavilion, the panel chose these 5 Startups to visit the game-changing conference this year:

1- Caribbean Transit Solutions (Barbados)

2- Jompéate (Dominican Republic)

3- Edufocal (Jamaica)

4- ChefMade (Trinidad & Tobago).
and of course…

5- AlaMesa, representing Cuba!

And now for the interactivity of this post — WE NEED YOUR HELP.

We need to raise $15,000 in 30 days to bring these talented young minds to Disrupt SF. It costs about $3,000 to bring each startup to San Francisco for a once in a lifetime experience. “For most, it will be the first time attending an event of this magnitude” says organizer Eddy Perez, Cuban-American founder for Project Binario. “The network they’ll tap into and inspiration they’ll receive will help accelerate the growth of their businesses. It may also inspire others back home to dream big”.

Each donation is tax-deductible – visit the Generosity.com page with all the details.

Each level of donation offers a range of goodies — from as low as $100 to $1000 to $5000 to $7,500 (this last level garners a trip to the Havana Film Festival, Dec 2017) — your donation can really make a difference in these entrepreneurs lives.

Stay tuned for coverage of the San Fran voyage on this blog, as well as some additional Cuban entrepreneurs worth getting to know.

Leave a comment

Hello Fashion in Cuba

By Jauretsi on June 12, 2017

DSC04790.0.jpg

In Fall of 2016, writer Chavie Lieber came to Cuba with an open mind and curious heart. As a writer for the Fashion site Racked (same web family as Vox, Curbed, & Eater among others), she had her eye on Cuba and its emerging fashion scene. I was lucky enough to catch the early phonecall during her scout mission upon organizing her trip. It’s one of my favorite pastimes here in Cuba, hunting subcultures.

And so began our search together — sharing lists, chasing people down, booking appointments. What seemed like a simple basic request turned out to be quite the challenge. Fashion in Cuba? Is there even a fashion scene? Turns out there’s a small army rising up. Some of the fashionistas of Cuba are not easily findable on Instagram, nor do they necessarily respond to Facebook emails, much less their nauta.cu accounts. The majority do not even have a proper running website, and cuban cell phones do not have voicemail boxes which means calling one is a repetitive task requiring heaps of patience. The search alone set the stage for how isolated some of these designers exist within the global fashion market.

Finally, an itinerary was set, and Chavie flew into Cuba and tirelessly dove into the scene in just a few days, running from home to home, studio to showroom, engaging in creative conversations with residents. Topics ranged from developing their craft, to black market goods, to the new economy.

Other industry insights focused on the future. ”There’s an overwhelming air of optimism in Cuba because people are seeing more change in three years than anything that’s taken place over the last 20 years,” says Matusky. “The future is bright.” As for the Clandestina duo, they are feeling bullish. “I don’t think the state wants all this change, but they don’t have a choice because it’s happening,” says del Río, who by nature is a positive girl with a sharp sense of humor. “A year ago, it was a completely different country. We can only hope that more jobs open and that the people can make money out of their ideas. There are so many talented people here,” she tells Chavie. In general, all the designers expressed their love of Cuba, and the need for access to proper tools and goods to grow their business.

DSC06344.0.jpg

In terms of the Chanel show, the comments were also a swirl of thoughts. As expected, the private event, complete with 3 days of festivities culminating into the big show on the Prado, made the locals feel, um, well, discarded. ”While Chanel has always been an icon and an inspiration for me,” says Freixas, “it seemed like they were interested in Havana on a social level, by only looking at people who could possibly be clients, like famous musicians. But there are more important things in the world than money. Chanel’s show could have been an opportunity to involve the Cuban fashion community and be a session to meet and exchange ideas.”

“I didn’t care about not getting a seat,” adds Gil, who acts as a Fashion Director for Fábrica de Arte Cubano. “I cared that Chanel completely ignored Cuba’s fashion community.” Designer Jacqueline Fumero, however, believes it was “promotion for the island — you start as a backdrop today, but tomorrow, more people know you”. Miguel Leyva, Cuba’s first fashion blogger, believes Chanel actually traveling to the country was a big deal. “To me, this is a step forward. I just want us to be a part of the conversation.”

Screen Shot 2016-12-16 at 3.55.38 PM.png

The article turned out to be a thorough look at the history of Fashion in Cuba, while sharing contemporary history of the ongoing reforms happening on the island today. As Chavie closes the piece, she reflects a sentiment felt by all Cubans: “And those talented people will keep on pushing. Hustling, as they say, is the Cuban way”.

To read the whole piece, visit: Cuba, In Clothes.

Photography: Hannah Berkely Cohen. Thanks to Patricia Morgovsky for all her contributions too. Couldn’t have done it without you ladies.

Leave a comment

Hello Trump. Now What?

By Jauretsi on January 20, 2017

(Illustration: Jasper Rietman for NY Times)

Tomorrow is January 20th. It’s official. Mr Trump will now be our President, and despite all the other issues to face internationally, this blog post is about one thing only — How “the Donald” will be handling Cuba/US relations and how you as an American can help shape policy and public sentiment.

On this first day at the Sundance Film Festival, we’d like to remind you to keep an eye on these films shot in Cuba. Mostly because they all exhibit a strong spirit of engagement, entering feet into the country to better understand the daily lives of our neighbors just 90 miles south.

What is the latest on the overall relations as we enter this new administration? Here’s the fat and skinny.

FROM THE US:
“All of the concessions Barack Obama has granted the Castro regime were done through executive order”, declares Trump, “which means the next president can reverse them, and that I will do so unless the Castro regime meets our demands.”

FROM CUBA:
“Aggression, pressure, conditions, impositions do not work with Cuba. This is not the way to attempt to have even a minimally civilized relationship with Cuba”, said Josefina Vidal, a foreign ministry department head (as told to the Guardian).

We realize this looks like a runaway train in a bad action movie. The train is going to drive off the cliff, right? Well, maybe not. That is, if you believe in “People Power”. Ok, so it didn’t work so well with the popular vote during elections (by over 3 million), but Americans DID gather in solidarity over the Dakota Access Pipeline. A coalition of climate activists and native Americans managed to raise enough awareness which resulted in the rerouting of the pipeline away from Sioux Reservation. As an idealist, I believe it’s our duty to exercise this “people power” each and every day. Before I begin spelling out action points for this particular cause, allow me to explain the landscape briefly.

We have come a long way in the last 2 years under Obama’s normalization era. While the Obama Administration has eased certain travel and trade restrictions, only Congress can lift the embargo. We have seen what isolation tactics have accomplished in the past 55 years — zilch. Just a bitter relationship between both nations. We have already seen that a policy change from hostility to one of engagement has benefited the Cuban people more in the past two years than in the last 50 years combined.

Improving the daily lives and human rights of the Cuban people is a top priority of normalizing relations with Cuba. For the past 55 years, the only people who have been hurt by the embargo are the Cuban people, as well as US Companies. Isn’t Trump’s mandate to create more jobs in the US? Will Raul Castro and Trump be able to strike a new deal? Essentially, the embargo has failed. Logically speaking, no business in the world would continue a strategy that has failed for 55 years. It has ended up punishing the Cuban people and isolating us from the rest of the world, especially our other allies in Central and South America.

(Obama meets with Raul in March 2016. Photo: Stephen Crowley/The New York Time)

Re-engagement is driving change on the island that is empowering the Cuban people.

Here’s a few main points to consider:

Cuba’s Private Sector:
Cuba’s private sector is the fastest growing industry in Cuba’s economy, estimated to have grown to about 1/3 of Cuba’s workforce. This boom in private sector employment is fueled by tourism – which would dramatically increase if we lift the embargo. The over 4,000 private restaurant owners, and 28,000 bed & breakfast owners, the growing number of taxi drivers, half a million private farmers, and millions more private sector employees in the tourism sector would benefit tremendously from lifting the embargo.

Increased Tourism benefits the Cuban People:
Increased travel to Cuba is fueling private sector growth that is empowering Cubans across the island. Cuba is becoming the number 1 tourist destination in the Caribbean. International tourism has skyrocketed, and with the reestablishment of commercial flights, experts expect a huge increase in American travel. The influx of American travel will come with certain expectations – expectations that cell phones will work, credit cards will work, access to internet won’t be severely limited – this will foster the kind of change that will not only benefit American travelers, but Cubans across the island. (p.s. As an American, you can travel to North Korea, Syria, Saudi Arabia — but you can’t travel to Cuba as a tourist. Cuba is the only country in the world that the U.S. government prohibits tourist travel)

Access to Internet:
In this era of relaxed relations, recently, the price of internet has been reduced to $1.50 cucs p/hr, down from $2 cucs. The State is also launching some home internet connections in Havana Vieja, as well as wiring the entire Malecon street with wifi early next year (which requires a paid login with a Nauta card). Just a few weeks ago, Google signed a deal with Cuba’s ETECSA to install servers on Cuban soil for faster service. Although some of the internet expansion are purely internal decisions, it is however, a perfect climate to work with American brands such as Google or other digital entities seeking to improve connectivity on the island. This benefits all Cuban people.

International Credibility:
Year after year after year, every nation in the world, except the U.S. and Israel, votes at the United Nations General Assembly to condemn the U.S. embargo on Cuba. But even Israel trades with Cuba. Continuing 55 years of failed policy that has been repeatedly and publicly condemned by the international community as pointless and ineffective is weakening our stance abroad. Lifting the embargo would in fact strengthen our international credibility, not the other way around. Also, major international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Oxfam all publicly support lifting the embargo because they believe it makes it harder to improve human rights.

Polling:
75% of U.S. adults approve of the decision last year to re-establish U.S. relations with Cuba, while nearly as many (73%) favor ending the long-standing U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, according to a new national survey by Pew Research Center conducted Dec. 1-5. Also, it is important to note that Florida did not go Trump because of the Cuban-American population. Trump’s Florida win was in fact due to votes from white voters in the I-4 corrider section of Florida. The Cuban-American vote was a non-factor. (read this thoroughly researched article on what happened in Florida). In fact, 63% of Cuban-Americans in Miami-Dade county support lifting the embargo, according to a FIU poll released Sep., 2016. In fact, Hillary actually out-performed Obama in Miami-Dade — a testament to how far Cuban-Americans have evolved in this area of discussion.

(Cubans stand in support of the opening of the US Embassy in Cuba, 2016)

WHAT DO CUBANS WANT?

Mostly all Cubans I have spoken to on the island welcome the reconciliation efforts made by President Obama. After half a century of butting heads, both sides are fatigued from the hostility. It was evident when you saw the faces of joyful Cubans during Obama’s visit. A young journalist, Elaine Diaz Rodriguez (the editor-in-chief of a Havana-based independent news digital magazine, Periodismo de Barrio) expressed it bluntly yet eloquently when describing this new “frenemies” relationship between US and Cuba.

“There can be no true friendship between the governments of Cuba and the United States. They represent two opposing political systems and the first has long been denying the right of the second to exist and vice versa. The most we can expect is tolerance and respect. And that is exactly what we achieved, in a way, after December 17,2014 under Barack Obama’s administration”. She continues, “but people do not have to play by the same rules as governments. There has always been true friendship between the people of Cuba and the people of the US”.

The rest of how this story plays out will take time. We presume it will be a slow burning relationship that needs to be fostered and healed over the next few years, as we focus instead on the few things we DO have in common, as well as our general mutual interests.

(Young Cubans enthusiastic to catch a glimpse of their first US President visit in 88 years when Obama strolled through Havana Vieja, March 2016. Photo: © Carlos Barria / Reuters)

Elaine closes her letter to Trump with the affirmative answer: “Both leaders have spoken loudly: we want relationships, we want embassies, we want the negotiations to keep going, we want to reach an agreement in every area and we are open to dialogue. We people want to be close, not far. We want to build bridges, not walls”.

It’s safe to say that lots of Cubans feel as she does. And now for the next steps.

—————————————

GET INVOLVED

To affect real change as Americans, we need to mobilize our constituents around the US. If you’re an American and are in favor of bettering Cuba/US relations, here is a basic overview of how “people power’ can help push this forward.

Contact your representative:
Constituents outreach has been incredibly helpful in gaining support from Republican members of Congress for lifting the embargo. Here is a link with a sample script for folks to call Congressional offices, as well as a sample letter to send to Representatives. Although the majority of my readers are from LA, NY, MIAMI, I strongly encourage everyone to reach out to Republican members of Congress.

Contact the Administration:
While only Congress can lift the embargo, as you know, the Administration has a lot of latitude in terms of easing or tightening sanctions. Trump’s nominee for Treasury is Steve Mnuchin (read about the Hollywood movie financier). So to all my Hollywood friends and readers, if you have a connection to Mnuchin, reach out and urge him not to roll back changes. A lot of the regulatory changes have happened through the Dept. of Treasury.

Donate:
Here is a link to donate to the Engage Cuba Foundation. Engage Cuba is a national coalition of private business, organizations, and local leaders dedicated to advancing federal legislation to lift the embargo. Currently, there are three bipartisan bills that Engage Cuba is actively advocating for in Congress. Read more about their legislative priorities here. If you care about the embargo being dropped, this is the organization to support. Donations to the Engage Cuba Foundation (a 501(c)3 non-profit) are tax deductible.

Read:
1- Book: Open for Business, Building the New Cuban Economy to better understand the new private sector in Cuba, and the need to support Cuban entrepreneurs.
2- Newsletter: Go to EngageCuba.org and subscribe to their newsletter to stay in the loop on Cuba/US Affairs.

Go online and voice your opinion:
If you’re at Sundance this week and if these films resonate with you, post a social media message or write a blog post (if you’re not at the festival, spread the word anyways).

SAMPLE TWEET:

1- We ask Trump not to rollback regulations on Cuba. See #GiveMeFuture @Diplo @MajorLazer to see real engagement #LiftTheEmbargo @Engage_Cuba

2- It’s time to engage w/Cuba & show solidarity with the Cuban people #GiveMeFuture #LiftTheEmbargo @Engage_Cuba @majorlazer

1 Comment

Cuba Takeover at Sundance

By Jauretsi on December 27, 2016

Utah is getting a big injection of Cuban fever at the start of 2017. We’ve spent the better part of the year reading about the importance of Cuba/US engagement from media outlets like New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and a myriad of other outlets. Journalists have played an important role in opening this discussion while reporting a balanced story line.

This Jan 2017, it’s the filmmakers and artists who will show us what exactly engagement looks like. We’ll see curious cameras entering homes, filmmakers having “on the ground” discussions with every day Cubans, and putting a mirror up to Cuban society. None of the films are about the normalization process per say, but each of the tales are of everyday life — an American concert on the malecon, the only State-run phone company in Cuba (ETECSA), the selling of a home in Cuba, and a school that teaches English to Cubans, and more. Because all these films were captured in 2016, it is all the more reason to pay attention to what these local Cubans are expressing as we enter the Trump administration in 2017. It will take an act of Congress to fully lift the US embargo, but the more that Americans understand Cuban society today, the better it will respond to its needs in order to grow and prosper in this new era. We cannot affect Cuban policy, but we CAN affect American policy through phonecalls to our legislators, and shifting the American consciousness towards a more open relationship with Cuba. Of course Cuba will need to determine their own future, but these films are a peek into a society seeking to redefine itself.

(Casa en Venta – a short film on the the new real estate sector for homeowners)

I’m lucky enough to have worked on two of these films (Films #1 and #2 below) which will premiere at the festival this January, one as a Story Producer and the other as a Cuba Production Consultant. Upon entering Pre-Production, each of the teams asked a bevy of questions which opened healthy dialogue — including the current state of Cuba, its relation to the US, its complex history, its challenges with filmmaking, the US Embargo laws, the tone of questions permitted, the current reforms in Cuba, the spectrum of characters, etc. etc. It seems that answering one question in Cuba begets another 50 questions. Something as simple as weak internet on the island poses enormous challenges during production, including emailing local staff or sending large files to the States. It’s a rabbit hole of lessons, but each production diligently pressed forward and managed to capture their stories with tight deadlines, frustrating conditions, an open heart, and limited budgets. Together, both films bookmark the gamut of the population today — from the elder tales of Buena Vista Social Club to the hungry young tech scene of Major Lazer’s audience. One film presents the bowing out of an older generation, while the other film introduces the future of Cuba. Both generations are very dear to me, and both being an honor to explore with Directors Austin and Lucy respectively (and their film families) who all came to Cuba in 2016.

(Conectifai – a short film on Cuba’s phone company and internet status)

The other 3 films playing at the Sundance Film Festival this January are mini docs, but despite their short length, they are all paramount stories to explore in Cuba today. These include the story of technology today (the phone company and the emerging internet), the new home “buyers market”, and the tale of a small school that teaches Cubans to speak English as they prepare to work with “La Yuma” (nickname for the Americans).

All three storylines share the urgency of Cuba’s desire to integrate into the global economy and international community. The most interesting part of these 3 shorts is that it was nurtured by an American Institute, Sundance Labs (who attended the Havana Film Festival the last two Decembers to workshop scripts and stories with local filmmakers). Together, the 3 shorts are presented as a collection entitled “Made in Cuba”, an an example of the Sundance Institute’s “longstanding commitment to international artists” says Paul Federbush who spearheads the lab. These films were guided by the Institute’s Documentary Film Program in collaboration with La Escuela Internacional de Cine y TV (EICTV) and Guardian documentaries.

… and now a breakdown of all 5 films:

1- Give Me Future: Major Lazer in Cuba – Director: Austin Peters / USA – FEATURE FILM

In the spring of 2016, global music sensation Major Lazer performed a free concert in Havana, Cuba—an unprecedented show that drew an audience of almost half a million. This concert documentary evolves into an exploration of youth culture in a country on the precipice of change. World Premiere U.S.A., Cuba

Austin Peters is a director living in New York. Raised in Los Angeles, he went on to study film at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He has directed two short-form documentaries: Braids, starring Lupita Nyong’o for Vogue, and NYC, 1981, a companion piece to the recent film A Most Violent Year. His music videos for Chvrches’ “Empty Threat” was named one of the 10 best music videos of 2015 by Rolling Stone

2- Buena Vista Social Club Doc / “Untitled” -Dir: Lucy Walker / USA,UK-FEATURE FILM

The musicians of the Buena Vista Social Club exposed the world to Cuba’s vibrant culture with their landmark 1997 album. Now, against the backdrop of Cuba’s captivating musical history, hear the band’s story as they reflect on their remarkable careers and the extraordinary circumstances that brought them together. World Premiere.

Lucy Walker is an Emmy Award–winning director and two-time Academy Award–nominee. She is renowned for creating riveting, character-driven nonfiction that delivers emotionally and narratively. Her films—including Waste Land, The Crash Reel, Devil’s Playground, The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom, and The Lion’s Mouth Opens—have won over 100 awards and honors. Her new film, the untitled Buena Vista Social Club documentary, is her fifth feature (and ninth film) to screen in official Sundance Film Festival selection.

3- “Connection” or “Conectifai” – Dir: Zoe Garcia

ETECSA—Cuba’s only telephone company—installed Wi-Fi routers in 18 public parks in 2016. For many Cubans, this meant being able to go online for the first time. Now connected to a technology that is entirely new to them, we see how Cubans explore social media, online dating, and the ability to reconnect with family members living just 90 miles away. U.S. Premiere
Director Zoe Garcia graduated in mass communication studies, specializing in photography, at the Higher Institute of Art in Havana, Cuba. In 2008 she took a course on documentary cinema and TV at the International School of Film and TV in Cuba. Garcia has worked as a screenwriter, assistant director, and photographer.

4- Film: “Great Muy Bien” – Dir: Sheyla Pool

After the United States restored diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2015, it was no longer unrealistic for Cubans to dream of one day living and working abroad. Citizens of all ages, with diverse aspirations, enroll at the makeshift Big Ben English school in Havana in order to prepare themselves for a future of normalized relations between Cuba and the United States.

Director Sheyla Pool graduated from the University of Havana in Hispanic languages and in sound from the International School of Film and TV at San Antonio de los Baños. She wrote and directed Protege a tu familia and Frágil. Pool was a consultant for the script of Esteban. Currently she is working on the script for Vínculos.

5- “Casa en Venta” or “House for Sale” – Dir: Emanuel Giraldo

After over 50 years, the ban disallowing citizens of Cuba from selling their own houses is lifted. Three Cuban families invite us into their homes as a showcase to prospective buyers — to hear their “sales pitch.” Filled with memories, souvenirs, and family members, these intimate spaces are filled with affection, highlighting a country on the verge of historical change.

Director Emanuel Giraldo Betancur was born in Medellin, Columbia in 1989 and graduated in film directing from the International School of Cinema and Television. Some of his projects are 1,2,3. . . Let’s Dance! and Amapearte. In December 2015, he participated in Nuevas Miradas in Cuba with House for Sale (2016 Sheffield Doc/Fest), which was supported by Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program.

———————

Stay tuned for more information as these films screen at the festival (or follow @TheNewCuba on Instagram for live activities).

For media inquiries, contact Jauretsi at jauretsi@gmail.com

Leave a comment

Edgaro Gonzalez

By Jauretsi on November 21, 2016

Screen Shot 2016-11-21 at 3.51.56 PM.png

I first met Edgar when he was 16 years old in early 2000’s out of his bedroom making beats in the secluded neighborhood of Alamar (the Bronx of Cuba). Since then, his hunger and passion for music has grown and grown. Once the new kid on the block, he is now a forefather to Millennials making music in Cuba. His style has been shaped by a range of genres as its permeated the island, from traditional, raw guajiro, to rap music, and electronica. DJ and Producer Gilles Peterson once referred to Edgar as the “J Dilla of Cuba”, always pushing boundaries, maintaining Cuba’s sonic identity, yet redefining the new Cuban sound.

Screen Shot 2016-11-21 at 3.52.36 PM.png

Here at The New Cuba, Edgar is part of our stable of artist for various music productions, so we’re proud to give him a shout for this beautiful new portrait piece done by the crew at WeTransfer. The web series is called “The Creative Class” and features soulful artists and innovative minds in Cuba.

Watch the whole video here:

For more episodes of The Creative Class visit www.thecreativeclass.tv

Leave a comment

A Woman of 2 Islands

By Jauretsi on October 14, 2016

Hurricane Matthew just passed 1 week ago through both Cuba and Haiti, leaving major devastation in both our wakes. Record shopping in Havana a few days ago, this album seemed to have found me. Probably because my mind is there this moment. In Haiti, Cuba is already present and pitching in. Members of the Cuban Medical Brigade, some 648 Cuban doctors and other professionals, remain on site. They are expected to offer medical care and disease-prevention efforts in the aftermath of the storm, including a recent outbreak of Cholera.

In all these thoughts, I wanted Haitian music marinating in my home, and then this sleeve popped in my sight, so I took the calling. I had never heard of Martha Jean Claude before and it turned out her voice is so captivating, so I wanted to know more. I learned that this woman had deep connections to the Haitian people through her folkloric and voodoo lyrics. She was not just a actress, singer, dancer, but also a philanthropist and activist. As an avid speaker of the abuse of the masses, it led to her arrest in 1952. After her play “Anriette” was released, officials deemed it anti-government so she was imprisoned, and eventually released 2 days before the birth of her child. Fearing for her life, she exiled to Cuba in 1952 (before the 1959 Cuban Revolution) with her husband, Cuban journalist, Victor Marabel. Martha eventually became an international legend, touring Paris to New York to Angola using her soulful voice to share her protest music against injustice. After 3 decades in exile, the homesick Martha finally returned to her motherland in 1986 after the fall of Jean Claude Duvalier, where she held a legendary homecoming concert.

After that, she returned to Cuba, a place she called her second home — the name of her album: “Soy Mujer de Dos Islas” (I Am A Woman of 2 Islands). She passed away in her Havana home in 2001. I just recently discovered that Cuban Painter, Michel Mirabel calls Martha Jean Claude his “Mamita” (but she is truly his grandmother from his dads side). It’s a beautiful merging of both worlds since Michel’s artwork is coincidentally displayed on the first US approved credit card in Cuba (MC) issued by Stonegate Bank this year. Michel also received attention this Spring 2016 when Usher came to Cuba and visited his studio. Here’s a toast to riding on the shoulders of our ancestors, and pushing the storyline forward at all times.

This post is also a nod to the true Grand Dame of Haitian music, and the people who are keeping it real this week helping on the ground. Donate to Waves for Water (Matthew Haiti Relief) or follow @jon_rose to see his daily diary of providing clean water to people on the ground. To use his words “Basically it’s this simple — the more support we get, the more people get access to clean water. Period. Thank you to everyone who has stepped up to help us so far”.

Leave a comment