With the recent shift in Cuba-US relations stemming from the relaxing of travel restrictions and an influx of American visitors, interest in Cuba and its culture has increased substantially. A new emphasis has been placed on the island country's many cultural and artistic achievements, specifically in film. Cuban cinema is recognized around the world as having produced some of the most celebrated works originating from Latin Americasuch as Fresa y Chocolate and La Muerte de un Burocrataas well as many prominent artistsincluding directors Toms Gutierrez Alea and Humberto Sols. In A Cuban Cinema Companion, editors Salvador Jimenez Murgua, Sean O'Reilly, and Amanda McMenamin have assembled a collection of essays about more than 100 films across six decades, including feature films, documentaries, and animation. These entries also provide information on directors, actresses, and actors of Cuban cinema. Entries range from films like Retrato de Teresa to Buena Vista Social Club and include descriptions of each film's plot, themes, and critical commentary, as well as comprehensive production details and brief suggestions for further reading.Beginning with the victory of the Cuban revolutionfrom the first ten years of what is often referred to as Cuba's ';Golden Age' of film to the presentthis volume offers readers valuable insights into Cuban history, politics, and culture. An indispensable guide to one of the great world cinemas, A Cuban Cinema Companion will be of interest to students, academics, and the general public alike.
