The Cuban film Plantadas, directed by Lilo Vilaplana, honors Cuban political prisoners who suffered under the Castro regime. The movie is now accessible on streaming platforms Roku and Filmin, in addition to Vix, where it was already available. Vilaplana himself shared the news on his Facebook account, stating, "You can watch the film Plantadas on Vix, Roku, or Filmin."
In another update, the director mentioned that the film is also available in English on the Roku platform. Recently, Plantadas was showcased in a special screening in Brussels, organized as a protest event and unanimously supported by free Cuban organizations in Europe, according to Somos Más Cuba. The screening, initiated by Cuban activist Avana De La Torre and backed by the Coalition Cubano-Belga for Democracy in Cuba (CCDC), aims to highlight the ongoing repression on the island, especially against women who once stood up to the Castro regime to defend human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Filmed in 2022, Plantadas features performances by Alina Robert, Claudia Toma, Rachel Vallori, Yuliet Cruz, Ariel Texidó, Daniel Romero, Luis Manuel Álvarez, Lily Rentería, Larisa Vega, Amarilys Núñez, Juanita Baró, Vivian Ruiz, and Frank Egusquiza. The script was penned by Ángel Santiesteban, Ninoska Pérez, and Vilaplana, who co-directed the film with his son Camilo. Set in the 1960s, at the dawn of Fidel Castro's rule, the narrative follows the harrowing experiences of a group of female political prisoners in Cuba.
The Impact of Plantadas
This poignant story has played a crucial role in raising global awareness about the inhumane treatment faced by political prisoners, a harsh reality that continues to this day. Actress Larisa Vega noted that the film "is a depiction of the pain, anguish, and despair of the families of these prisoners."