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I Am Cuba, the Siberian Mammoth

Play trailer I Am Cuba, the Siberian Mammoth 2004 1h 30m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Though it was critically panned upon its 1964 release, the joint Cuban/Soviet propaganda film "I Am Cuba" has gone on to acclaim as a landmark of Latin American cinema. In this documentary, filmmaker Vicente Ferraz delves into the improbable story behind its creation, interviewing the non-professional actors, technical crew and filmmakers who helped bring the ambitious project to the big screen, as well as providing political and social context for the film's initial box-office failure.

Critics Reviews

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Elizabeth Weitzman New York Daily News 09/16/2005
3/4
A fascinating capsule of an era long past. Go to Full Review
A.O. Scott New York Times 09/16/2005
3/5
[Ferraz] digs into the past to illuminate Kalatozov's extraordinary blend of formal bravura and revolutionary didacticism. Go to Full Review
Michael Atkinson Village Voice 09/13/2005
It's all fascinating, but must Kalatozov's careening angel of cinema be laid bare? Go to Full Review
Steve Schneider Orlando Weekly 02/16/2006
I Am Cuba, the Siberian Mammoth retells the checkered history of Soy Cuba, the infamous Cuban-Soviet co-production that started out as a love letter to the Cuban Revolution but ended up a Dear Juan letter to communism. Go to Full Review
Film Threat 09/24/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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02/01/2022 The history behind the myth is only interesting thanks to Vincente Ferraz's narration. 7/10 See more 05/14/2018 Bit boring, especially if you not interesting in the history of cinema or Cuba See more 05/16/2010 There's a good use of old and new film in this documentary, but for the most part it is quite an ordinary telling of the story of 'Soy Cuba'. However, if you have seen the Soviet film it is a great insight into the production. See more 09/02/2009 well umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch...its got a good cast of actors/actressess throughout this movie...i think that mauricio do valle, sergio corrieri, luz maria collazo, fidel castro, othon bastos, alexandra calzatti play good roles/parts throughout this movie....i think that the director of this drama/documentray movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie...this is a good documentray movie 2 watch as its interesting movie 2 watch See more 01/15/2009 Interesting look at the history behind I Am Cuba, an the perspective of those that took part. The one element missing is exactly HOW they got those wonderful long takes, so is a bit disappointing and makes it very dull for a repeat viewing. Fascinating fact that without Scorcese and Coppolla this film could have been lost forever. See more Read all reviews
I Am Cuba, the Siberian Mammoth

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Movie Info

Synopsis Though it was critically panned upon its 1964 release, the joint Cuban/Soviet propaganda film "I Am Cuba" has gone on to acclaim as a landmark of Latin American cinema. In this documentary, filmmaker Vicente Ferraz delves into the improbable story behind its creation, interviewing the non-professional actors, technical crew and filmmakers who helped bring the ambitious project to the big screen, as well as providing political and social context for the film's initial box-office failure.
Director
Vicente Ferraz
Producer
Isabel Martinez
Screenwriter
Vicente Ferraz
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
Russian
Runtime
1h 30m