Habana Blues

Habana Blues is primarily a musical film full of songs and melodies that don't really appeal to me and have a significantly more modern or different sound than what I consider classic Cuban music in the style of Buena Vista Social Club. Your relationship with the music is crucial when evaluating a musical film. Additionally, the story didn't really captivate me, although it didn't bother me either. If Habana Blues deserves an honest 3 stars from me, it's because of the relatively authentic portrayal of the decaying atmosphere of old Havana, where not even a peso has been invested in the maintenance of once luxurious neighborhoods in half a century, and the authentic representation of poverty and disillusionment of the young Cuban generation in the film. Although the film was undoubtedly made with the permission and involvement of the Cuban authorities, it goes much further than the perestroika films of the late Soviet era or Czech films from the second half of the 80s. Oversight of Cuban culture was never as strict as in Eastern and Central European countries, but even so, I was pleasantly surprised by the level of openness. Overall impression: 60%. I didn't completely believe the main character's gesture of refusing to emigrate and choosing to stay in Cuba, but everyone has the right to make their own choice... (03/01/2011)