"The Singular Story of Juan Without Anything", a documentary directed by Ricardo Figueredo that was censored in Cuba for depicting the everyday struggles of ordinary Cubans to make ends meet, is now available on YouTube.
The news was confirmed by the director himself on Facebook, inviting people to enjoy this work, one of many audiovisual productions that have proven uncomfortable for the regime and, therefore, have been suppressed. "Now available on YouTube. Enjoy it," Figueredo, who also wrote the screenplay for the documentary, stated on the social network.
The film, which lasts just over 50 minutes and is brimming with humor and sarcasm, features Luis Alberto García as the voice of the main narrator and a selection of archival images from the revolutionary process.
The documentary delves into the harsh realities that the average Cuban faces to survive on their salary, make it to the end of the month, and support their family. For this reason, it was censored in 2016 by several national festivals, including the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema.
This is not the first time that Cuban artists or works reflecting the uncomfortable reality of the Caribbean nation have managed to bypass the strict censorship of the regime through available Internet platforms.
The movie "Plantadas", a tribute to the political prisoners who suffered under Castro's regime, has been available on the Hispanic streaming platform VIX since last May and can be accessed from Cuba using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.
Activist Yamila Maceo announced on Facebook, "'Plantadas' is now on VIX. My people in Cuba, download a VPN and I'll send you the link to the movie."
FAQs about Censored Cuban Documentaries
Here are some frequently asked questions about Cuban documentaries that have faced censorship and how they can be accessed today.
Why was "The Singular Story of Juan Without Anything" censored in Cuba?
The documentary was censored for depicting the everyday struggles of ordinary Cubans, which was deemed uncomfortable for the regime.
Where can I watch "The Singular Story of Juan Without Anything"?
The documentary is now available on YouTube.
What is "Plantadas" about?
"Plantadas" is a tribute to the political prisoners who were victims of Castro's regime.
How can Cubans access "Plantadas" from within Cuba?
They can access it on the VIX streaming platform using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service.