or


[11/11/16 - 07:39 AM]
"Patria O Muerte: Cuba, Fatherland or Death," A Raw, Unvarnished Look at Contemporary Cuba Through the Eyes of Its People, Debuts Nov. 28 on HBO
The film is a visceral look at the state of the country today through the eyes of its artists, activists, bloggers, writers, musicians and everyday people, who live amidst political unrest and economic inequality.

[via press release from HBO]

"PATRIA O MUERTE: CUBA, FATHERLAND OR DEATH," A RAW, UNVARNISHED LOOK AT CONTEMPORARY CUBA THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS PEOPLE, DEBUTS NOV. 28 ON HBO

Following President Obama's announcement that the U.S. would begin normalizing relations, Cuba is on the cusp of cultural, social and economic change - an unprecedented development for a country that has experienced limited growth since its revolution in the 1950s.

From first-time director Olatz López Garmendia, PATRIA O MUERTE: CUBA, FATHERLAND OR DEATH is a visceral look at the state of the country today through the eyes of its artists, activists, bloggers, writers, musicians and everyday people, who live amidst political unrest and economic inequality. Executive produced by Oscar(R)-nominated director Julian Schnabel ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly"), this revealing film debuts MONDAY, NOV. 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.

Other HBO playdates: Nov. 30 (4:40 p.m.), and Dec. 1 (10:30 a.m.), 4 (9:45 a.m.), 13 (1:05 a.m.), 15 (2:00 p.m.), 18 (noon) and 21 (5:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 1 (8:30 p.m.), 22 (5:00 a.m.), 24 (10:05 a.m.) and 26 (midnight)

The documentary will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.

The debut of PATRIA O MUERTE: CUBA, FATHERLAND OR DEATH will be followed at 9:00 p.m. by the debut of another documentary on the country, "Mariela Castro's March: Cuba's LGBT Revolution."

Utilizing vibrant images and percussive music, the film includes illuminating interviews with a myriad of individuals, including: a prize-winning author who could not be published in Cuba until recently; an artist and political activist who was imprisoned for his passion for freedom; an architect who escaped oppression; and a number of everyday Cubans who express frustration over their lack of opportunity and decaying living conditions. What emerges is a portrait of a struggling people determined to be heard.

Once a manager at Cuba's national radio station, Ivan says his "salary" of $18 a month barely provided enough to keep a roof over his head, and though his home was in disrepair, he couldn't afford to fix it. Indeed, crumbling buildings are a fact of life. Mercedes, who lives with her husband and children, says her building, which is marked for demolition, is so dangerous that one day the floor collapsed under her eight-year-old son, Manuel. Her husband was there to catch him, but Manuel was badly injured and needed surgery.

Many do what they must to get by. Reggae singer and rapper Sandor has worked several jobs over the years. "There's only money... and the harsh street," he says, adding, "Cubans are now in a state in which they don't believe in anything, but are hoping for everything...People are in limbo." Valery, a trans woman who turned to the sex trade to make ends meet, explains, "I had no choice." Valery eventually left prostitution, but sees little future for herself in Cuba. "If things were to change tomorrow, I would leave the day after," she adds.

Those who leave often feel pulled back to their native land. Living in exile is "a traumatic process," says writer Antonio Jose Ponte, who now resides in Madrid and sees Cuba's insularity as both pleasure and punishment. Though currently living in Miami, architect Rafael Fornes focuses on housing back in Cuba, noting, "Doing nothing is intentionally leaving it in ruins." He laments that Havana is essentially a shantytown.

In Cuba, "You live in a mausoleum in every sense of the word," muses Havana-based writer Wendy Guerra, who has travelled and received prestigious awards abroad, but until recently had never been published at home. While isolation has made Cuba ripe for art and dissent, questioning the government comes with risks. Street artist and political activist Danilo Maldonado (aka El Sexto, or "the sixth one") has been arrested several times for his graffiti.

In 2010, several Havana activists were arrested before the funeral of a dissident, including blogger and activist Yoani Sanchez; disturbing audio reveals her being taken by men with no badges or uniforms. Gorki Aguila, who leads a band called Porno para Ricardo, notes that he and his bandmates have been kidnapped for speaking their minds, and their rehearsal studio is under constant surveillance.

In Dec. 2014, President Obama announced that the U.S. would be normalizing relations, a dramatic change in policy that has brought an influx of American tourists while inspiring many Cubans to imagine a free and global future. "The world moves at a different speed, and I want to be part of that speed," says a young woman named Claudia.

PATRIA O MUERTE: CUBA, FATHERLAND OR DEATH was directed and produced by Olatz López Garmendia; executive producer, Julian Schnabel; co-producer, Miguel A. Sirgado; cinematographer, Claudio Fuentes Madan; editor, Ismael de Diego.





  [november 2016]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
  


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[07/14/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Hulu Reveals Official Trailer for "The Wonderfully Weird World of Gumball"
Additionally, it's been announced that the series will make its franchise-first debut at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 26.

[07/14/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Debuts Trailer and Key Art For Spy Thriller "Butterfly," Starring and Executive Produced by Daniel Dae Kim
As previously announced, all six episodes will debut on Wednesday, August 13.

[07/14/25 - 08:15 AM]
Sean Hannity to Host "Wanted: Dead or Alive" on FOX Nation
Set to premiere on Wednesday, July 16, new episodes will be released weekly and tackle the stories of the infamous John Dillinger, Bonnie and Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker.

[07/14/25 - 08:00 AM]
Gabby Windey Sets Sail as Host of Hulu's New Unscripted Series "Love Overboard"
Step aboard the ultimate luxury yacht, where sexy singles are ready to mix and mingle... and find love.

[07/14/25 - 08:00 AM]
HBO Original "Harry Potter" Television Series Begins Production
The series will debut in 2027 on HBO and HBO Max where it's available, including in upcoming launch markets Germany, Italy, and the UK.

[07/14/25 - 08:00 AM]
Video: Prime Video Releases First-Look Images and Teaser Trailer for Upcoming Psychological Thriller "The Girlfriend"
All six-episodes will be available September 10 exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world.

[07/14/25 - 07:41 AM]
Welcome to Atlanta: FOX Sports Assembles All-Star Cast for MLB's 95th Midsummer Classic
Live from Truist Park, FOX MLB's lead duo of Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Davis and first-ballot Hall of Famer John Smoltz (eight-time All-Star with the Atlanta Braves) reunite in the booth for their fourth All-Star Game together.

[07/14/25 - 07:15 AM]
Prime Video Announces Six Additional Cast for New Original Series "Bloodaxe"
Karlis Arnolds Avots, Rod Hallett, Alina Tomnikov, Sisse Marie, Rune Temte, and Jesper Christensen join the cast of the historical drama.

[07/14/25 - 07:14 AM]
Icon Award, Presenters, Attendees, and Musical Performances Announced for "The 2025 ESPYS Presented by Capital One," Airing Live Wednesday, July 16 at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT on ABC and Streaming on ESPN+
During this year's event, ESPN will honor former WNBA player Diana Taurasi and former USWNT player Alex Morgan with the Icon Award in recognition of their incredible careers and significant impact on the world of sports.

[07/14/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Hostage" - Official Teaser - Netflix
When the British prime minister's husband is kidnapped and the French president starts receiving threats, both leaders must face an impossible choice.

[07/14/25 - 06:28 AM]
"Shark Tank" Returns This Fall with More Guest Sharks Than Ever Before!
Allison Ellsworth, Chip and Joanna Gaines, Alexis Ohanian, Michael Strahan, and Fawn Weaver are among those on tap.

[07/14/25 - 06:20 AM]
ABC News and Disney+ Announce New Daily Show "What You Need to Know," Premiering Monday, July 21, Exclusively on Disney+
"What You Need to Know" is the fast, fresh way to stay ahead of the conversation as viewers start their day.

[07/14/25 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Perfect Match" - Season 3 Official Trailer - Netflix
Singles from the Netflix Reality Universe and beyond scheme and strategize their way to a lasting love connection in this spicy dating competition.

[07/14/25 - 01:31 AM]
Netflix Begins Filming "The Map of Longing" with Alicia Falco, Pablo Alvarez, and Georgina Amoros
The series is an adaptation of the novel by Spanish writer Alice Kellen, published by Editorial Planeta.

[07/13/25 - 05:38 PM]
Peacock's "Love Island USA" Crowns Winners of Season 7 & Reunion News
The reunion special will premiere on Monday, August 25 at 6pm PT/9pm ET; while "Love Island Games" returns Tuesday, September 16.