The Man of the Two Havanas
Film Title (Original): The Man of the Two Havanas
Film Title (Spanish): El hombre de las dos Habanas
Country of Origin: United States
Year of Completition: 2007
Running Time: 96 minutes
Format/Color/BW: Digibeta, Color B&W
Language: French
Spanish Subtitles
 Directors: Marion Hänsel | Biographies | Watch Trailer
Film Synopsis - Short:
With a childhood filled with bombings and assassination attempts on her father Max Lesnik, filmmaker Vivien Lesnik Weisman explores her relationship with him and the Cuba he left behind. Through top-secret audiotapes of a CIA trained Cuban exile terrorist who is in the middle of a trial, the filmmaker also brings into question the Bush administration’s “War on Terror”.
Film Synopsis - Long:
“ Okay, here’s the situation. I was born in Havana. That makes me
Cuban. But, I was raised in little Havana, which makes me Cuban-American.
However, since I don’t see Castro as the root of all evil in the universe, nor
would I strangle him with my bare hands given the opportunity, I am a little
out of step with my tribe. I always have been. And I really don’t care.
My dad, on the other hand, does care. He cares a great deal. Back in
Havana he was a revolutionary and fought alongside Castro for the freedom
of the Cuban people. Then he had a falling out with his old friend and it was
Miami, here we come. But his animosity towards Castro did not last and he soon wanted
dialogue with the Cuban government. Perhaps, to live in peace. That’s when
the shit hit the fan.!”
With a childhood filled with bombings and assassination attempts on her father Max Lesnik, filmmaker Vivien Lesnik Weisman explores her relationship with him and the Cuba he left behind. Through the prism of a daughter we explore the past, the
present, and the nature of social responsibility and personal sacrifice.
The movie contains highly controversial top-secret audiotapes of a CIA
trained Cuban exile terrorist who is in the middle of a trial and incarcerated
by Homeland Security. His trial also puts the Bush administration’s War on Terror
into question. The audiotape excerpts are from an NYT reporter who
refuses to turn over these tapes. The never before heard audiotapes will be
hotly debated in the media.
Film Credits
Director: Vivien Lesnik Weisman
Producer: Vivien Lesnik Weisman
Cinematographer: Paul Maschall
Editor: Tirsa Hackshaw
Composer: Michael Wandmacher
Featuring: : Max Lesnik
Film History/Prizes:
Fledgling Fund Award for Best Documentary Latino Filmmaker, IFP Market; Premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2007. |
