Waiting for Fidel

  • Michael Rubbo
  • Canada
  • 1974
  • 58 min
  • Top 10
In 1974 Geoff Stirling approaches the National Film Board of Canada with an intriguing proposition. His friend Joseph Smallwood, former prime minister of Newfoundland, is invited for a talk with Fidel Castro. Since Castro rarely speaks openly with western people, Stirling thinks it a good opportunity to record the discussion on film. He feels it might have a big impact on the east-west relationships. Director Michael Rubbo is interested in the project and two weeks later he and his crew fly to Cuba where they are heartily welcomed. While the party is waiting for Fidel Castro they are shown round a university, the Lenin school, and a psychiatric hospital. These excursions elicit a diversity of reactions from Stirling, Smallwood, and Rubbo. Stirling prefers the capitalistic values, Smallwood is reminded of his own government days, and Rubbo stands in the middle. Their arguments and discussions, which are part of this film, say just as much about these three people as they do about Cuba.

Credits

  • 58 min
  • color
  • video
Director
Michael Rubbo
Production
National Film Board of Canada
Cinematography
Douglas Kiefer
Editing
Michael Rubbo
Sound
Jacues Chevigny

IDFA history

1997
Screened
Top 10
1992
Screened

Share this film

Print this page

IDFA history

This website uses cookies.

By using cookies we can measure how our site is used, how it can be further improved and to personalize the content of online advertisements.

Read
 here everything about our cookie policy. If you choose to decline, we only place functional and analytical cookies