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So much average

Highly Overrated But Still Good

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

In 1994, the collapse of the Soviet Union had caused the withdrawal of Soviet financial aid and personnel support for Cuba. This precipitated a severe downturn in the Cuban economy resulting in even more sub-standard living conditions for many. In response to the general unease Castro announced that any Cuban who wanted to emigrate to the U.S. could feel free to do so. Tens of thousands took him up on this and left on rafts, boats, lashed-up inner tubes, and about anything that would float. Immigration being no less an issue in 1994 than it is now, the Clinton Administration responded by saying that the U.S Coast Guard would intercept the immigrants. Those who were intercepted were diverted to Guantánamo Bay where they were held for up to a year until the American government could figure out what to do with them. The mass exodus lasted some two weeks until the U.S. and Cuba reached an agreement that would allow 20,000 Cuban immigrants a year into the U.S.; many held at Guantánamo were ultimately given legal passage. Some in the initial frenzy made it to Florida on their own; many died at sea. In the comfort of their homes Americans followed the events in the news media and, for most people, it remained a remote story. However, "Balseros" brings the events home in a dramatic way by following seven Cubans over a period of seven years - from their preparations in Cuba to their journey and experiences in their new homeland. Anyone who watches this documentary will not soon forget this chapter in U.S.-Cuban history.In the first part we get to know our travelers while they are still in Cuba. I was astonished to see the crude crafts that were being constructed for the 90 mile trip across the Florida Straits - some no more than inner tubes roped together. The motivations prompting people to risk their lives on such an endeavor obviously had to be extreme; I wish we had been given a little more insight into what prompted these people to make such a life-threatening trip, to totally disrupt their lives by leaving friends, lovers, and country. And what did they think they would find if they were successful in reaching the U.S.?There is some incredible footage of people on rafts making the crossing - I have to assume this was actual footage. One of the most poignant parts of the film was the encounter on the way of empty rafts and isolated inner tubes floating on the rough waters - solemn testaments to the many who did not make it.The most engaging part of the documentary is in following the people after their arrival in the U.S. On their immediate arrival in Miami they were dispersed to cities all across the U.S., primarily under the auspices of Catholic charities. Some were more successful than others, but being strangers in a strange land made adapting to the new capitalist society surely fall short of whatever dreams they must have had. One quote that stuck with me was, "Freedom has a price." More than one person had qualms about having left. In missing his more gregarious society one immigrant complains about having to make an appointment two weeks in advance just to see his neighbors. Some of the aspects of the U.S. we see here will make many Americans uncomfortable. As this film proves, Americans can learn a lot about their country by contrasting their views and experiences with those of these newcomers from a different culture.In revisiting the immigrants after their having been in the U.S. for five years we see that some have stayed in contact with those they left behind and others have formed new relationships and left the past behind. The same goes for those who stayed on the island.As appropriate, the score serves up some great Latin music. The woman's performance played during the closing credits is a knockout."Balseros" reflects the complexity and unpredictability of human behavior, the motivating power of hopes and dreams, and the intricate relationships between politics and the individual.I think the film could have been improved with some initial voice-overs setting up the history and giving a brief introduction to each of the main characters as they appear. It was a little confusing at the beginning.What was in it for the people profiled in this film in exchange for their sharing, in a very public way, many intimate details of their lives?For a story treating many of the same themes, see "Before Night Falls," a film biography of Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas who ultimately came to the U.S. in the Mariel Boatlift of 1980.

This is the story of many different Cuban lives intertwined, as they all hope of one day escaping Castro's communism and achieving the American Dream. However, the degree to which they achieve this varies widely. Some, like Rafael Cano are able to persevere and put their faith in God, and achieve the dream. However, another young woman who moves to Albuquerque becomes involved in drugs and falls into the depths of poverty, and is eventually even disowned by her own sister. She even says at one point that she wants to go back to Cuba, because it is "her own country." For this character, the American lifestyle was a lot less glamorous than it seemed from the outside.I don't believe the film was making an overt political statement. Although it did show the passion with which these young men and women so desperately wanted to leave Cuba, it also portrayed the United States as villainous, with Clinton telling Cubans to go back to their own country, etc.I wish the film had shown us more about the lifestyles these characters led in Cuba before fleeing to the U.S. From what I could tell, it seemed as if the only thing that excited Cuban people was the prospect of escaping to the "freedoms" offered by the United States. For instance, when someone was leaving the village with his or her raft, the entire village gathered around and bid him farewell, and then people proceeded to follow him with bikes. It was almost as if a president were passing by on a motorcade. So, I was really interested in learning about Cuban life under Castro, but I would imagine it is definitely not as mundane as the film (inadvertantly?) makes it out to be.Overall: 6 stars out of 10

I missed this documentary when it ran for about two weeks at the Film Forum. I was hoping that it would resurface again, as was the case, when it was shown on cable not too long ago. Both film makers, Carlos Bosch and Jose Ma. Domenech must be commended for tackling the story about seven or eight "raft people" in pursuing their dream to go to the United States in search of a better life. Cuba, after more of 45 years of communist rule, has been a monumental failure. I am sure that some people will argue that because the embargo and American policies toward that nation, things turned out the way they did. In the end one dictator was replaced by another. The paradise that was promised at the beginning of the revolution is still to be realized. In order to survive in Cuba today, one has to have either relatives abroad, or to belong to the inner circle. No one wants to face the reality that when Cuba was a Soviet Union colony, they could buy whatever it was needed, either on credit, or through gifts in way of oil and basic heavy machinery from its Russian bosses.That a lot of the population wants to get out of the "tropical paradise" is no surprise. In the case of the people singled out in the documentary, only a few get to fulfill their dreams and get to live a modified "American Dream", while the other half failed miserably, maybe because the reality of the dream turned for them into a nightmare.Of all the cases presented, only about three make something out of themselves. Their idea of how capitalism works is much more of whatever dreams they might have had. The reality of life in the United States, with its harsh realities, play havoc with a few of the new immigrants. That is the case of the former prostitute who turn into a drug dealer and the young black sculptor who gets involved with the wrong kind of crowd in New York. This is a must see documentary that stays neutral neither in favor of the exodus, or against it.

This is a great documentary.If it raises a question in your minds about Cuba vs the USA, just remember that in Cuba they have guards on the beach to stop people LEAVING, whilst in the USA the guards are there to stop people ARRIVING.Cuban 'Balseros' can return to Cuba anytime - and under the agreement with the USA they will not be prosecuted nor imprisoned.Life is hard in all countries - including the USA. I have traveled extensively in Cuba, and few Cubans have any illusions about life in America. 'Freedom' is not their main aim - rather it is an improvement to their economic lives. They want the OPPORTUNITY to better themselves and their children.