Revolution Rent

2019

1h 30m

Documentary

List

63%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

96%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

In the spirit of Mark Cohen, director Andy Señor Jr. documents his real life journey as he develops the groundbreaking production of Rent, highlighting the many setbacks and accomplishments that he and his cast and crew encounter along the way. From the first notes of Seasons of Love to the climax of Finale B, this emotional and revealing film reimagines Rent in a Cuban context, spotlighting Señor Jr. as he takes control of his destiny, exploring questions of family, history, and heritage along the way.

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Audience Member

WOW! What an incredible documentary! Revolution rent will have you laughing, crying, singing and dancing. Watch this, you will not be disappointed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Glenn G

Hi Fidel-ity – Film Review: Revolution Rent ★★★1/2 Shot in 2014, Andy Señor Jr., who played Angel on Broadway along with a host of other credits, staged the classic musical Rent in Havana during a thaw in our relations with the Communist regime. He did so against the wishes of his Cuban family, who suffered under Castro and insisted his production would merely serve as a propaganda tool for the government. He plows ahead instead, capturing the months long process in a rather artless home movie style. The aesthetics don't carry any weight here when you have such a compelling subject matter. Witnessing his actors struggling with their performances while also living in harsh conditions adds new layers to the late Jonathan Larson's story of squatters in the age of AIDS. With a limited talent pool, one of whom doesn't feel comfortable with the gay subject matter and another who lives with HIV himself, Señor finds new connections to Larson's material as well as an affection for his heritage. What we may have taken for granted here in the US in terms of sexuality and gender expression feels like a whole new experience when seen through a Cuban lens. Señor speaks out against the Castros with quick sequences showing moments of oppression, thus preventing this film from perpetuating the lies of its government. Instead, he gifts the people of this poor, struggling country with a real sense of community and its first burst of musical theater in ages. Sure he's a privileged westerner who dangles hope in front of people only to return to his cushy life, but he does so with heart and good intentions. You end up loving and rooting for his cast in this moving, sweet documentary.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/21

Full Review

Glenn G

Hi Fidel-ity – Film Review: Revolution Rent ★★★1/2 Shot in 2014, Andy Señor Jr., who played Angel on Broadway along with a host of other credits, staged the classic musical Rent in Havana during a thaw in our relations with the Communist regime. He did so against the wishes of his Cuban family, who suffered under Castro and insisted his production would merely serve as a propaganda tool for the government. He plows ahead instead, capturing the months long process in a rather artless home movie style. The aesthetics don't carry any weight here when you have such a compelling subject matter. Witnessing his actors struggling with their performances while also living in harsh conditions adds new layers to the late Jonathan Larson's story of squatters in the age of AIDS. With a limited talent pool, one of whom doesn't feel comfortable with the gay subject matter and another who lives with HIV himself, Señor finds new connections to Larson's material as well as an affection for his heritage. What we may have taken for granted here in the US in terms of sexuality and gender expression feels like a whole new experience when seen through a Cuban lens. Señor speaks out against the Castros with quick sequences showing moments of oppression, thus preventing this film from perpetuating the lies of its government. Instead, he gifts the people of this poor, struggling country with a real sense of community and its first burst of musical theater in ages. Sure he's a privileged westerner who dangles hope in front of people only to return to his cushy life, but he does so with heart and good intentions. You end up loving and rooting for his cast in this moving, sweet documentary.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/21

Full Review

Audience Member

Incredible story of reaching into your roots to create bridges of reconciliation. Emotive and very personal. Loved it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

What did I like about this documentary? EVERYTHING. I loved the honesty, the emotion, the conflict and the joy and pain of the journey. Andy Senor is an organically brave, wonderful story teller who bears all seamlessly. I laughed and cried and celebrated with a beautiful cast, crew and family.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Unexpectedly moving, a film where you expect to see just the process behind producing RENT in communist Cuba and find yourself intertwined with the struggles, parallels, and triumphs of the cast. Bring your tissues.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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Victor Álvarez

Director

Andy Señor Jr.

Director

Victor P. Alvarez

Director

Andy Señor Jr.

Actor

Andy Senor

Writer

Victor Álvarez

Producer

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Maya Phillips

New York Times

The show "Rent" gave us an onstage revolution, while "Revolution Rent" often gives us an underwhelming translation.

Jun 16, 2021

Full Review

Lupe Rodriguez Haas

CineMovie.tv

The documentary proves the struggle is real for young artists no matter the country or language. However, the better story is director Andy Señor Jr. reconnecting with the country that exiled his family, and helping his mom bring closure with Cuba.

Rated: B

Jul 10, 2021

Full Review

Stephen Silver

Splice Today

An uneven documentary about the historic staging of the musical Rent in Cuba in 2014.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jun 22, 2021

Full Review

Jade Budowski

Decider

A moving reminder of just how powerful art can be and why Rent is still changing lives 25 years later.

Jun 16, 2021

Full Review

Charles Solomon

FilmWeek (KPCC - NPR Los Angeles)

This is really two documentaries imperfectly grafted together.

Jun 16, 2021

Full Review

Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

All in all, when Señor's successful class of actors sings "Seasons of Love," you will be moved. This was a story worth telling.

Jun 15, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the spirit of Mark Cohen, director Andy Señor Jr. documents his real life journey as he develops the groundbreaking production of Rent, highlighting the many setbacks and accomplishments that he and his cast and crew encounter along the way. From the first notes of Seasons of Love to the climax of Finale B, this emotional and revealing film reimagines Rent in a Cuban context, spotlighting Señor Jr. as he takes control of his destiny, exploring questions of family, history, and heritage along the way.

Director: Victor Álvarez, Andy Señor Jr., Victor P. Alvarez
Producer: Neil Patrick Harris, Karim Amer, Mark Berger, Zoe Chapin, Hayden Christensen, Brooke Christian, Robert Nederlander Jr., Marvin Kaplan, Jacob Parker
Screenwriter: Andy Senor, Andy Señor Jr.
Production Co: HBO Documentary Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2021
Runtime: 1h 30m

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