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Retrospective 2024

Hello Cubans

Agnès Varda
The grande dame of French Nouvelle Vague spent the turn of the year 1961/62 in Cuba. She came back to Europe with a photo film full of cha-cha-cha and cheerful socialism.
Filmstill Hello Cubans
Filmstill Hello Cubans

Hello Cubans

Salut les Cubains
Agnès Varda
Retrospective 2024
Documentary Film
France,
Cuba
1963
30 minutes
French
Subtitles: 
English
At the turn of 1961/62, Agnès Varda travelled to Cuba and saw a country that integrated Marx and Lenin into the everyday life of the Caribbean. Cha-cha-cha was part of it, but also cars à l’américaine. At her Parisian animation stand, Varda animated the black and white photos she had brought back home in an almost jaunty photo film. Chris Marker, her close friend from the Rive Gauche circle of the French Nouvelle Vague, had just paved the way for this cinematic form. They also shared an enthusiasm for the Cuban Revolution – and finally even a bit of Leipzig festival experience: In 1964, Varda’s moving photo montage won the Silver Dove. Despite or because of the subtle irony with which she looks at this somewhat improvised socialism?
Sylvia Görke

Credits DOK Leipzig Logo

Director
Agnès Varda
Editor
Janine Verneau
Producer
Société Nouvelle Pathé-Cinéma, Ciné-Tamaris
Narrator
Agnès Varda, Michel Piccoli