Homeland or Death

The 2011 documentary film directed by Vitaly Mansky, produced in Russia, explores the daily lives of contemporary Cuban citizens. The film presents a series of vignettes depicting various facets of Cuban society. These include a woman raising three daughters alone after her husband's death, seeking discounts on dressmaking; a school assembly where children sing the national anthem and learn about port workers' leader Aransebio Iglesias Diaz; a dancer living with her disabled mother, discussing the challenges of surviving on a low salary; factory workers attending political briefings from the newspaper "Granma" about Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs' stance against U.S. terrorism accusations; a mother concerned about her 15-year-old daughter and strict laws holding parents accountable for their children's behavior; an elderly man, a delegate of the people's assembly, inspecting a bakery's product quality; and members of a casino dance ensemble, including a one-legged dancer aspiring for recognition. These narratives reveal the complexities and contradictions of life in Cuba, illustrating how individuals cope with economic hardships and political realities. The Russian premiere took place on July 28, 2011, with box office earnings in Russia totaling $4,494.