directed by J. Michael Seyfert
USA 2005

 

  For all Havana's crumbling structures and piles of rubble, its disintegrating roads and toxin-belching jalopies, its plethora of armed policemen and sun-bleached billboards espousing their pat, revolutionary slogans, it attracts over a million pink-skinned, camera-toting, snack-munching mojito-swilling tourists each year.

Cuba stands pummeled by an unworkable socialism and a voracious consumer appetite. What began more than forty six years ago seems spent, "patriotism or death" are simply not enough. Cubans want other choices, other points of view, and they can't wait any longer. But defeating the autocracy also means Cubans will need to relinquish much of their collective conscience in order to chase individual profit and personal freedom.

Bye Bye Havana is 90 miles from being political. This fast-paced stream of conscience documentary presents a unique flavor of irony, carried by an eclectic soundtrack featuring Latin Grammy Nominee X Alfonso, hip hop by Free Hole Negro, pianist Roberto Carcasses and jazz poet Telmary.

Theatrical Release: 2005

Reviews    DVD Reviews

DVD Review: Utopia is Behind Us - Region 0 - NTSC

DVD Box Cover

   

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Distribution Utopia is Behind Us Home Video - Region 0 - NTSC
Runtime 57:24 
Video 1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio
Average Bitrate: 7.95 mb/s
NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s 

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.

Bitrate:

Audio English Narration with Spanish Dialogue (Dolby Digital 2.0) 
Subtitles English, None
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Utopia is Behind Us

Aspect Ratio:
Original aspect Ratio 1.33:1

Edition Details:

• "Ideology Cola" (4 minute segment of the dance sequences from the film)
• Internet link to ByeByeHavana website

DVD Release Date: 2005

Modest CD book style case
Chapters: 1

 

 

Comments:

A very noble Indie effort in both the film and DVD area!

The body of the film can come across slightly heavy-handed but it is probably appropriate given the subject matter discussed. It shows some stunning beauty of the island and people with gorgeous cinematography. As far as the image quality goes - it is wonderful... although not progressive, the combing is very minimal and the audio is quite aggressive with a very deeply felt presence. The optional subtitles are excellent and the whole package shows the love that was put into it. Bravo! I suspect (and hope) we see more of this brand of home made filmmaking in the future.  

Gary W. Tooze

 





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