I Am Cuba, the Siberian Mammoth

2004

1h 30m

Documentary

List

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.

Elizabeth Weitzman

New York Daily News

A fascinating capsule of an era long past.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 16, 2005

Full Review

A.O. Scott

New York Times

[Ferraz] digs into the past to illuminate Kalatozov's extraordinary blend of formal bravura and revolutionary didacticism.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 16, 2005

Full Review

Michael Atkinson

Village Voice

It's all fascinating, but must Kalatozov's careening angel of cinema be laid bare?

Sep 13, 2005

Full Review

Steve Schneider

Orlando Weekly

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.

Feb 16, 2006

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Sep 24, 2005

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Audience Member

The history behind the myth is only interesting thanks to Vincente Ferraz's narration. 7/10

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bit boring, especially if you not interesting in the history of cinema or Cuba

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

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Vicente Ferraz

Director

Alexander Calzatti

Self

Luz María Collazo

Self

Sergio Corrieri

Self

Vicente Ferraz

Self

Alfredo Guevara

Self

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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