Cuba

Cuba is an anomaly in the history of Latin American cinema. Cuban film history is the story of a formerly quiet and docile little film industry that experienced a sudden and explosive acceleration of production after the revolution in 1959. Cuban cinema has had an unusual role in shaping a national dialogue about art, identity, consciousness, and social change and has emerged as one of the most distinct and influential national cinemas in the region. While all of the film industries in Latin America contend with Hollywood's monopoly over the industry, Cuba also faces the effects of an ongoing economic embargo—the result of a complex and defiant relationship with the United States. These factors influence both the conditions of production and the content of the films themselves.